Stuart Gray’s Sheffield Wednesday are this weekend’s visitors to the City Ground, looking to avenge the defeat that Forest inflicted way back in August.
Vital Quotes:
Owls boss, Stuart Gray:
‘I have a lot of affection for Nottingham Forest as they were my first club in football. I enjoyed my time there. Forest were the champions at the time and I couldn`t have asked for a better start in football. It`s always nice to go back but the only thing I want out of the day is three points.”
Red’s Manager, Stuart Pearce:
‘They`re a very well-organised team with a good manager in Stuart Gray. He`s handled the pressures under a tight budget and done a really good job. Defensively they`re very tight and it`ll be a tough game for us, as it was at Hillsborough.”
Nottingham Forest Team News:
Andy Reid is edging closer to a return, but Chris Cohen remains sidelined for the season.
Henri Lansbury completes his 2 match suspension, whilst both Matty Fryatt and Michael Mancienne will miss out due to injury.
Loan signing, Todd Kane is expected to feature is Forest’s squad.
Player to watch: Mikhail Antonio
The unwritten rule in football only tends to work against Forest, where a former player, returns to haunt their former employers.
The former Wednesday winger, signed for Forest this summer and has scored 10 times this season whilst also contributing 7 assists.
He may have been kept quiet in recent weeks, but let’s hope he leads a Reds revival.
Sheffield Wednesday Team News:
Kasmil Zayatte is away on international duty, whilst Kieren Westwood and Joe Mattock face fitness tests, but both should play.
The Owls loaned a player this week from Chelsea too, so Lewis Baker is expected to feature in the matchday squad.
Player to watch: Atdhe Nuhiu
Atdhe Nuhiu and Stevie May have 12 goals between them this season, whilst Nuhiu also tops their assists chart – so, Forest’s fragile defence must be on their game.
Match Facts & Stats
Forest may have the upper hand against Wednesday in recent times, but that means nothing. The reds have lost their last 3 games, they are without a win in the last 7 games and have managed just 2 wins from the last 19 – it pains me to say, this is relegation form after such a promising start to the season.
The Owls have won 4 of their last 6 Championship games and sit just 1 place and 3 points ahead of Forest in 10th.
They have lost just 2 games away from home this season, but both teams have drawn 10 of the 24 games played.
Ref Watch:
The experienced Andy D’Urso takes charge of this one, his 20th game this season. The previous 19 have yielded 53 yellows and 4 red cards.
He will be assisted by Mark Dwyer and Alf Greenwood, with Darren Deadman as 4th official.
Match Prediction:
Forest can’t buy a win and it’s difficult to see them having the ability to grind out a result against a resilient Owls side.
The head says 1-1, the heart hopes for another edgy 1-0 win for the Reds.
Next Fixtures:
Forest make the short trip along the A52 to take on East Midlands Rivals, Derby County on Saturday, 17th January 2015.
The game kicks off at 12-15 and will be shown on Sky.
