Nottingham Forest have a few critical weeks ahead of them as Nunu Espirito Santo faces his former side, Wolves, on Saturday.
With 31 games on the schedule, the Premier League witnesses a massive relegation scrap involving at least five teams. There are plenty of games ahead for the tide to change multiple times, with Nottingham Forest sitting right outside the danger zone purely on the basis of goal difference ahead of the visit of Wolves this weekend.
Their big problem came when they were deducted points for breaching PSR rules, which has put massive pressure on Nottingham Forest ahead of the season’s end. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men have not been losing games but, indeed, are dropping valuable points by way of draws and last weekend’s defeat to Tottenham.
In any case, Nuno Espirito Santo has a big task ahead of him to bring the team up to speed and survive the ordeal of relegation come the end of the season. He will want to start that run against his former side, Wolves, who come visiting the City Ground looking to improve their current standing in mid-table.
With the Premier League table bustling on the relegation and the top ends, Wolves are one of the few teams sitting comfortably in mid-table, with nothing to lose and probably something to gain should things go their way.
Last weekend, they were hard done by referee Tony Harrington’s decision to rule a Wolves goal for offside, which did not go well with the home crowd. Eventually, Gary O’Neil’s side succumbed to West Ham United after goals from Lucas Paqueta and James Ward-Prowse proved enough for the Hammers to take all three points.
As things stand, Wolves are in with 41 points, with some seven behind seventh-placed West Ham United, who are in the final European qualification place. O’Neil will have the audacity to dream of making it there and into Europe for next season. But another defeat for Wolves could dent their dream once and for all.
Team News & Tactics
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest have a few players but needs to catch up on a few key ones ahead of this clash with the Wolves. Taiwo Awoniyi, Nuno Tavares, and Willy Boly are all absent. Their manager did confirm the striker had started individual training and might return before the season draws to a close.
Meanwhile, Nuno Espirito Santo will make some tweaks to his lineup based on their defeat against Tottenham Hotspur. For instance, Ibrahim Sangare might be in for a place in midfield, possibly at the expense of either Ryan Yates or Danilo. Nicolas Dominguez is also hoping to return to the setup for this home clash.
The latter might stay on the bench, as Nuno wants consistency in his side ahead of this clash against Wolves. Sangare could partner Danilo in the midfield double pivot, while the front four from the last game should continue. Morgan Gibbs-White would play the attacking midfield role alongside Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi, with Chris Wood leading the line.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sels; Williams, Omobamidele, Murillo, Aina; Sangare, Danilo; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
Wolves
Pedro Neto remains the significant absentee for Wolves, something Gary O’Neil has not coped with well in what has been a mixed run of results. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde will also miss out due to a fitness concern, and this game might come too soon for him to play as he continues to recover from a knee issue.
Moreover, O’Neil will not risk Hwang Hee-chan this soon following his return from a hamstring issue. The South Korean international might find himself a place on the bench. Rayan Ait-Nouri also is a doubt for this clash with a calf issue he picked up in the last game against West Ham United.
Craig Dawson, however, is pushing for a start and would want to replace Santiago Bueno in the backline. In Ait-Nouri’s absence, Matt Doherty could be handed a start at left wing-back.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Jose Sa; Dawson, Kilman, T.Gomes; Semedo, J.Gomes, Doyle, Doherty; Lemina, Sarabia, Cunha
Key Stats
- Nottingham Forest have drawn their last three matches against Wolves in all competitions.
- Wolves are undefeated in 11 of their last 12 matches against Nottingham Forest in all competitions.
- Nottingham Forest have conceded a league-high 21 goals this season from set-pieces, excluding penalties.
- Wolves have kept just two clean sheets in their last 32 away league games, with the most recent January’s 0-0 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion.
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Anthony Elanga and Chris Wood have six goal combinations in the top flight this season. The only duo with more are Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey, with seven.
Player to Watch
Morgan Gibbs-White
While his team may not have been performing to their required levels, Nuno Espirito Santo will once again rely on the expertise of his in-form star, Morgan Gibbs-White. The in-demand attacking midfielder has one goal and three assists in his last four games for Nottingham Forest and will want to continue that rich vein of form.
He will have a big task on his shoulders to help Forest navigate their way out of the danger zone, and the club will rely on his performance between now and the end of the season. Hence, the attacker must put his best foot forward as a big performance against his former side would come as a big boost for his club.
Prediction
Nottingham Forest 2-1 Wolves
Wolves have plenty of attacking injuries that threaten to derail their slight hopes of making it into a European spot. The missing stars could have a big effect on their performance away from home, with Nottingham Forest on a mission to escape relegation.
That energy could probably help Nuno Espirito Santo’s side manoeuvre their way out of this tough fixture and get a valuable win to boost their chances at the foot of the table. Hence, we expect Forest to nick a narrow victory and allow Nunoo to exact revenge against his former side.
Wishing both teams to play with team spirit not individual or curious football