The Final Countdown: Leeds Utd v Forest Preview

Forest boss Billy Davies says the club are now embarking on what is effectively an 8 game season and it gets underway this Saturday with the trip to Elland Road, to face fellow promotion hopefuls Leeds United.

Much has been made by the manager in recent weeks about fatigue and tiredness affecting his squad, but now that most of his weary troops have had a fornights rest thanks to the international break, it will be time for them to stand and deliver, or at least die trying, in the race for promotion.

It was hoped that the break would give time for the walking wounded to rest up and recover, but Davies still has doubts over Earnshaw and he will definitely be without Moussi and Findley for the trip to Leeds, according to the official site. A major blow ahead of the game is confirmation from the club, that defender Paul Konchesky is still sidelined due to the hamstring injury he picked up in the defeat against Swansea. Davies will have the difficult decision of opting for Bennett or Lynch to fill the void at left back. My money is on Lynch getting the nod, purely on the basis that he has played more games this season. Having said that, we all know by now that it’s a total waste of time attempting to 2nd guess the managers team sheet.

Both teams go into the game having suffered dips in form, although the form of Leeds is slightly better than our own. Leeds have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 2 of their last 6 games. Last time out they picked up a 2-1 away win at Preston. In the last 8 games, Forest have won 1, drawn 4 and lost 3. Last time out we went down 3-2 away to Swansea. There isn’t much separating the sides in the table, with Leeds sitting in 5th place on 61 points and Forest in 6th on 60.

In 75 league meetings between the two sides, it’s fairly even in terms of bragging rights. Forest have won 21, lost 25 and drawn 29. Earlier this season at the City Ground we drew 1-1, having had chances to win the game. Blackstock gave us an early lead, but that was cancelled out just before half time, with a Lloyd Sam header.

Score Prediction: It’s back to winning ways, with a 1-2 win to the good guys!