Ben & Rob preview Forest in the Carabao Cup with special guest, Michael Dawson

N17 Live presenter Ben Haines and Club commentator Rob Daly look ahead to this evening's Carabao Cup third round tie at Forest (7.45pm) with a very special guest - Michael Dawson!

'Daws' began his career at Forest, joined us in 2005 and after nine years and 324 appearances for us, finished his playing career back at the City Ground via a spell at Hull City. He's now a popular Club Ambassador and pundit for Sky Sports, including their flagship Soccer Saturday.

Catch up with Ben and Rob for the final time before the break for the World Cup on N17 Live when we face Leeds United in the Premier League at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday (3pm). The shows starts on SPURSPLAY at 1.55pm!

Michael Dawson

"I think both teams will have a degree of rotation, that's just how it is in the early stages of the Carabao Cup, and we saw that in the third round ties last night. Not every player will go away to the World Cup at Forest, but there are still internationals to be played and one more Premier League fixture. Let me get one thing straight though - both managers will go into this tie wanting to win it. For Spurs, we know our history in this competition, and we all want silverware. It's a little different for Forest, but Steve Cooper will still go into the game wanting to progress. Forest have a big squad and, bottom line, players need to play, like the majority of squads we see now in the Premier League. It's a tough one for Forest because their main objective is to stay in the Premier League and they have another big home game against Palace on Saturday. However, Steve will send a team out that he will believe is capable of winning. Antonio Conte won't be any different. He will have one eye on Leeds on Saturday, but he will expect to go to Forest and win. I'm sure it will be sold out again, two big teams, great fanbases. Forest fans have been incredible and we know Spurs fans will pack that away end, as they always do. These are two clubs so close to my heart and I expect both teams to go all out to win."

Rob Daly

"Ultimately, Liverpool was a defeat, but everyone was impressed with the way Spurs played in the second half and, given the quality of chances created by both teams, were unlucky not to win. Dejan Kulusevski's return was extremely positive - it took him 81 seconds to show his quality again with that super assist for Harry Kane's goal. Onto Forest... obviously Spurs have already visited the City Ground in the Premier League this season and won 2-0. It was a game where Forest had more of the ball but didn't fashion high-quality chances. They had one shot on target - Spurs had eight or nine, plus a penalty saved by Dean Henderson. I'm not sure if that game with have much bearing on what happens tonight. Spurs were the better side back in August and for Forest, I guess it's about priorities. They are currently at the foot of the Premier League, but showed real fight at the weekend to grab a draw against Brentford. They also had that superb game that they won against Liverpool recently and when that crowd gets going, it really feels like they could get massive results. I imagine for Steve Cooper that all the focus, all the energy will be on the Premier League, so I expect them to rotate heavily, although with the signings they've made, I don't see that having too much of a detrimental effect on their starting XI. In terms of Spurs, I'm not sure how Antonio Conte will play it. As I said on N17 Live at the weekend, it wouldn't surprise me if there were eight changes, maybe Fraser Forster gets a run out in goal, players like Japhet Tanganga and Bryan Gil come in, and I'm sure fans would love to see Djed Spence get a chance at a club where he was so impressive last season with Forest. The striker situation is fascinating as well. What I will say is that if there is rotation, I'm looking forward to seeing some players get their chance."

Ben Haines

"Let's start with Liverpool, and that has to be our best second half display of the season. Obviously, there are still things to iron out in terms of the first half, although it's a fascinating thought that if we can stay compact and difficult to break down, if we get that right, we could be a team that runs over teams with our fitness and energy in the second half. In terms of Forest, they have a big squad, players who need game time, I can see them rotating heavily. I'm sure they have players who need minutes but, like us, every game matters - we're aiming to stay in that top four and progress in the Champions League, Forest are in a relegation scrap. I guess it's just not that simple. It will be good to see Serge Aurier again, Brennan Johnson looks a very exciting prospect... it will be interesting to see what team Steve Cooper puts out. For us, I'd love to see Deki get more minutes after he returned against Liverpool, he was phenomenal. If Richarlison gets 20, 30 minutes, that would be brilliant. I wonder if Harry Kane could get a bit of a breather and we could see Richy in that central role. I'd also love to see Bryan Gil again. He's been brilliant off the bench in the Champions League. And, of course, Djed Spence back at his former club."