Forest v Petersbrother Match Preview

Forest will be grateful to return to the welcoming banks of the Trent this weekend, the away form has crumbled like a child under interrogation but the City Ground form is little short of astonishing having won the last 10 consecutive home games and are unbeaten in 14 games at home. Now sitting 8 points behind second place makes the chances of automatic promotion seem remote but if the reds are to have any chance of catching West Brom their winning run at home must continue.

Vital Quotes:

‘There is still great hope and inspiration’

Nottingham Forest Team News:

George Boyd is ineligible for this game as he’s on loan from Peterborough, Gareth McCleary missed the last game but has had pain killing injections which may see him return to the squad in place of Boyd. Paul McKenna is still nursing his ligament damage and will remain sidelined for the foreseeable future and Joel Lynch still has a thigh injury. Julian Bennett is still getting back to full fitness after missing over a year of football but could take up a place on the bench any time now.

Player to watch: Chris Cohen

The hard working midfielder will probably retain his right midfield slot for this game and has been sorely missed there when having to fill in at left back. He’s scored three and assisted 5 this season despite playing many games from a left back position.

Peterborough United Team News:

There could be come backs in abundance here, Lee Frecklington could be involved in midfield after recovering from a calf strain, Chris Whelpdale could also return after a groin strain saw him miss out in the midweek defeat to Doncaster & Shelton Martis is expected to come back in after missing the last 7 games with a hamstring problem. Ryan Bennett and Kerrea Gilbert are both still out though.

Player to watch: Craig Mackail-Smith

The striker is the top goal scorer for Peterborough after the departure of George Boyd with 8 goals and a further 2 assists from his 30 appearances this season

Match Facts & Stats

These two teams have only met 3 times in league competition prior to this fixture with Forest having won all three of them scoring 7 times with Peterborough scoring just 3.

As mentioned above, Forest have won their last 10 consecutive home games and are unbeaten in 14 championship matches at the City Ground and have drawn just one of those, in those 14 games Forest have conceded 5 goals in that run while scoring 31. Only Newcastle can better that record.

In sharp contrast to that, Peterborough are the worst away side in the Championship having picked up just 6 points and 1 win on the road this season and have only scored 10 away goals this term. They did get their 1st away win of the season in their last away fixture though with a 0 – 1 victory at Vicarage Road

Ref Watch:

Referee: Keith Hill of Hertfordshire

Assistants: Mark Griffiths of and David I Storrie both of South Yorkshire

Fourth Official: Martin Dexter of Leicestershire

Match Prediction:

Forest are excellent at home while Peterborough are the worst away team in the league, surely this is a home win, I’ll go for 3 – 0 but must admit to being far more nervous than that prediction would suggest.

Next Fixtures:

Tuesday, 23 March 19:45
The Football League Championship
Nottm Forest v Crystal Palace