This has been an eagerly awaited fixture ever since 5.45pm on August 25, 2007, the day that Lucky Leeds committed daylight robbery at the City Ground with their smash and grab raid in the 2-1 win that saw them walk off with all three points. Forest will be looking to not only to avenge that day, but also attempt to lay to rest the poor away form that has hampered them to date.
The Reds travel to Elland Road on the back of an ugly 2-0 win over Millwall at the weekend. Whilst we were making hard work of the Lions, Lucky Leeds were scraping a draw at Northampton. The Whites may have made short work of the 15 point deduction imposed on them for going into administration, but they appear to be finding League 1 a little harder now. New manager Gary McAllister is still looking for his first win since taking over from the poisoned dwarf Dennis Wise, who walked out on them in favour of Newcastle.
It’s 6 games since they had a win and they have fallen out of the playoff placings and sit in 8th position. We have 2 games in hand over them at present and sit 4 points ahead of them in the table in 3rd. They are clearly due a win, let’s hope it isn’t against us. The Reds will be backed by their usual healthy away following with the 3,000 tickets being sold out last week.
Also throw into the mix a reunion with former player and Osama Bin Laden lookylikey David Prutton and you have what should be a tasty fixture.
Vital Quotes:
Lucky Leeds United Team News:
Midfielder Neil Kilkenny and defender Frazer Richardson are both doubts with injury. Both missed the trip to Sixfields at the weekend.
Player to watch: Jermaine Beckford
The former Scunthorpe player has been causing havoc in League 1 this season and with 16 goals to his name so far he’ll have to be watched for the entire 90 mins this time out and not just the 89 as in the last game between the two sides.
Nottingham Forest Team News:
New boy Garath McLeary may get a place in the squad, with Agogo only just returning from the ACON tournament.
Player to watch: Will Hoskins
He had an impressive debut for the Reds on Saturday and was unlucky not to get off the mark. He looks to be an asset and is proven at this level.
Match Facts & Stats
The two sides have met a total of 73 times in the league, dating back to 1921. There have been 21 victories for the Reds, 25 defeats and 27 draws.
Match Prediction:
A tight and nervy affair, with Forest bagging the points in a reverse of the 2-1 at the City Ground.
Next Fixtures:
FL1. February 16, 2008. Swindon Town (h).
