Former Red Roy Keane makes a welcome return to the City Ground on Saturday, when the playoff chasing tractor boys of Ipswich come to town, for game number 13 of this nPower Championship season. They’ve had a decent start to the campaign and currently sit just 2 points outside the playoffs spots on 18 points. That decent start though has suffered a bit of a blip of late, with only 1 win from their last 5 games and the last 2 ending in defeat.
Forest will go into the game quietly confident, following the 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough in midweek. Manager Billy Davies should hopefully recover from Viral Bronchitis in time, to take charge of the team and ensure the 13 month unbeaten home record (in the league) remains intact.
Vital Quotes:
Nottingham Forest Team News:
Forest will definitely be without on loan defender Ryan Bertrand, who serves a 1 match suspension after picking up his 5th booking in the win over ‘Boro in midweek. That gives us the familiar problem of who to play at left back. Robert Earnshaw must have recovered from his thigh problem by now, after lying on the treatment table for the past 4 games. The news on Nathan Tyson wasn’t so good in mid week, with the club saying he could be out for a further week. Check on Vital nearer to the game for the latest on injury news.
Player to watch: Lewis McGugan
He’s on fire at the moment and bagged his 6th goal of the season with another wonder strike on Tuesday night. If he doesn’t perform, then neither do the rest at present.
Ipswich Town Team News:
Goalkeeper Marton Fulop is considered doubtful. The ‘keeper missed their 2-1 defeat at Watford on Tuesday with a back injury. Brian Murphy is expected to deputise again.
Player to watch: Jason Scotland
The former Swansea striker is a summer signing from Wigan. He’s the club’s 2nd highest scorer this campaign with 4 goals, just 1 behind midfielder David Norris.
Match Facts & Stats
In 56 meetings between the teams, Forest have won 26, drawn 13 and lost 17. Last season we managed a 3-0 win at home, with goals from Chambers, Moussi and Earnshaw and a 1-1 draw at Portman Road, thanks to a Robert Earnshaw equaliser.
Match Prediction:
Sorry folks, but it’s another 1-1 draw from me.
Next Fixtures:
Portsmouth (a). Saturday, 30/10/10. KO:3pm.
