Forest will be going for a club record 13 consecutive home victories in this match while Cardiff will be looking to draw level on points with Forest at the top of the play off positions, this could even be a dress rehearsal for the play off final in May so although there isn’t much to play for in the game itself as both teams will almost certainly end the season in the top 6, it could show an interesting glimpse as to what could be.
Vital Quotes:
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Nottingham Forest Team News:
Forest captain Paul McKenna has been ruled out for the season & Julian Bennett still seems to be some way off a return to match action, but there could be returns for Paul Anderson (achilles) & Rob Earnshaw (back).
Player to watch: Radoslaw Majewski
The on loan midfielder has shown himself to be a class player on many occasions this season and will need to find top form if he is to help catapult Forest to the Premiership through the play offs.
Cardiff City Team News:
Joe Ledley made a surprise return to match action in the bluebirds win over local rivals Swansea on Saturday but a starting place would be a massive risk to take for Cardiff. They do have a host of other players missing through injury though with the likes of Mark Hudson (ankle), Kevin McNaughton (thigh), Gabor Gyepes (hamstring), Mark Kennedy (thigh), & Chris Burke (hamstring), all likely to miss out.
Player to watch: Michael Chopra
The former Blackcats striker ended a baron spell to in front of goal to score twice in the weekends win over Swansea, a goalless run stretching back 3 months.
Match Facts & Stats
There have been 37 previous league meeting between these two teams, Cardiff have had much the better of the fixture in the past, registering 18 wins with the reds taking just 10 victories and a further 9 games drawn, including the 1 – 1 draw earlier this season. Lewis McGugan’s last minute equalizer was the 100th goal this fixture has produced with Cardiff again having the advantage with 58 of those.
Cardiff are the form team in the Championship having taken 16 points from the last 18 available and are the most entertaining away team to follow in the league with the bluebirds faithful having witnessed 67 goals in away fixtures this season so far (35 for & 32 against). They are also the Championships unluckiest team having hit the woodwork a staggering 26 times this season.
Ref Watch:
Chris Foy from Merseyside will take charge of this game
He will be assisted by Rob Pollock from Merseyside & Mo Matadar of Lancashire
Fourth Official Michael Oliver of Northumberland
Match Prediction:
Both teams are firmly cemented in the play off places so there is little to play for in this game, Cardiff will though move into third place with a win. As it’s going to be two teams who can relax and enjoy their football I’m going for a goal fest and a 4 – 3 home win.
Next Fixtures:
Saturday, 10 April 15:00
The Football League Championship
Nottm Forest v Ipswich
