Nottingham Forest vs Sunderland Preview: Team News & Prediction
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This one has the potential to be quite an entertaining watch for the neutral as Nottingham Forest welcome newly-promoted Sunderland to the City Ground.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Universo
Nottingham Forest preview: Winless Ange
Nottingham Forest come into this one on the back of a 2-2 draw with Real Betis at La Cartuja in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League the other day in a game in which they had gone 1-0 down and then 2-1 up before conceding a late equaliser.
Following the appointment of Ange Postecoglou over the September international break, Forest have gone winless in four matches across all competitions, following defeats to Arsenal and Swansea City before a draw with Burnley last weekend.
Sunderland preview: Solid Sunderland
Regis Le Bris led Sunderland to promotion via the Championship playoffs last season, and the Black Cats have transformed their squad with over £150 million spent to try and ensure they are competitive in the Premier League, and it has worked thus far.
The Wearsiders have suffered just one defeat in their opening five matches in the Premier League. The visitors, down to ten men for the vast majority of the game, managed to share a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light last weekend.
Nottingham Forest team news: Dilemmas for Ange
Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that Murillo is taking longer to return from a knock, whilst Brazil international midfielder Douglas Luiz has been sent for a scan on a hamstring injury.
Igor Jesus has scored a couple of braces in the last couple of weeks, and he could well have earned a starting berth in the league ahead of Chris Wood for this weekend.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sels; Williams, Milenkovic, Morato, Zinchenko; Anderson, Sangare; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus
Unavailable: Murillo (Injured), Aina (Injured), Dominguez (Injured), Luiz (Injured)
Questionable:
Sunderland team news: Reinildo suspended
Ahead of their trip to Nottingham this weekend, Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris will have to now deal without defender Reinildo, who is missing through suspension following his red card last weekend.
As well as the absence of the Mozambique international defender, Sunderland are also without club-record signing Habib Diarra, albeit Daniel Ballard has returned to full fitness.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Geertruida; Sadiki, Xhaka; Talbi, Rigg, Le Fee; Isidor
Unavailable: Hjelde (Injured), Alese (Injured), Reinildo (Suspended), Cirkin (Injured), Diarra (Injured), Mundle (Injured)
Questionable: O'Nien (Injured)
Nottingham Forest vs Sunderland prediction
Sunderland have proven themselves difficult to beat. However, what has been an issue for the Black Cats is a lack of consistent attacking threat. That said, they have played stubborn sides and Nottingham Forest are no longer expected to be that with Postecoglou replacing Nuno Espirito Santo. It is a crucial, almost must-win clash for Forest in a game in which both teams scoring would appear a good bet.
Nottingham Forest vs Sunderland tip: Both teams to score
