Nottingham Forest meet Leeds United at the City Ground in the battle for Premier League survival.
Victory would see Forest reclaim 13th in the table, whilst Leeds can clim above Forest into 14th with a win – although they could go 13th if they win by three goals or more.
Team News
Jack Colback and Chris Wood could both feature for Forest after recovering from illness, which has affected the squad in recent weeks.
Keylor Navas, Felipe and Andre Ayew could make their debuts after joining in midweek, whilst Jonjo Shelvey won’t be risked if not fully recovered from a calf injury suffered when at Newcastle.
Jesse Lingard though is ruled out after he suffered a knock during warm-up for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat at Manchester United.
Dean Henderson (muscle), Giulian Biancone (knee), Omar Richards (leg), Moussa Niakhate (thigh), Ryan Yates (illness), Cheikhou Kouyate (hamstring), Morgan Gibbs-White (ankle) and Taiwo Awoniyi (groin) remain absent.
Leeds will be without Rodrigo after he suffered an ankle injury during their FA Cup win at Accrington Stanley.
Liam Cooper (knee) and Tyler Adams (knock) are doubtful but Robin Koch (suspension), Adam Forshaw (hip), Crysencio Summerville (ankle), Archie Gray (toe) and Stuart Dallas (thigh) are ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Forest face Leeds in a crucial clash at the City Ground on Sunday 5 February at 2pm GMT live on Sky Sports in UK.
Stat Attack
- Forest are unbeaten in five of their last seven top-flight meetings against Leeds (W3, D2, L2).
- Leeds are winless in five previous visits to Forest in the Premier League (D3, L2).
- Each of the three previous draws between Forest and Leeds at the City Ground have ended in a 1-1 result.
- Brennan Johnson has been offside on more occasions than any other Forest player this season (9).
- Rodrigo has been involved in 11 league goals for Leeds this season, having produced 10 goals and one assist in 18 matches.
Prediction
Despite seeing their Carabao Cup adventures end in midweek, Forest were able to frustrate Man Utd much more than they did in the first leg so now need to bring that positive defensive performance into this game.
Forest also enjoyed a bright January with eight points from four league games so hopefully they can quickly regroup and pick up from their last league outing, in which they drew 1-1 at Bournemouth where they were impressive in their aggressive attacking intensity and unluckily restricted to one goal.
Leeds though seem to have turned a corner in their last three games – of which their eight goals came in the FA Cup, yet they did well to hold Brentford to a goalless draw in the league a fortnight ago with excellent defending amidst poor end product to a sluggish attack.
Both teams though are still right in the relegation fight so I do expect a tough battle here and Forest’s injury list is concerning, yet Ayew and Wood could be the key impetus that the hosts need against Leeds who now will have to adapt without Rodrigo’s presence.
Leeds also don’t have the best Premier League record at City Ground, but I do see them doing enough for a draw.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Leeds United
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