A long international break comes to an end last night for Nottingham Forest as Crystal Palace arrive on Trentside.
Forest drew 1-1 with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last time out and the team have taken eight points from a possible 12 away from home.
It’s the home form that needs some work and tonight gives Forest the chance to address that situation against a Palace team still waiting for a win this season.
Oliver Glasner was interviewed by Evangelos Marinakis before Nuno Espirito Santo was appointed and he will be determined to claim a win tonight.
Forest have sights on claiming a first home win of their own, however, and will hope that fans can leave happy this evening.
Ahead of tonight’s game, we looked at how the Reds could be lined up by Espirito Santo under the City Ground lights.
Nottingham Forest predicted XI vs Crystal Palace
Nottingham Forest rearguard
Matz Sels is going to shake off a minor injury that kept him out of Belgium duty and he should start between the posts tonight.
The Forest back four pretty much picks itself this season and that isn’t likely to change tonight.
Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo are striking up a wonderful partnership at centre-back, whilst Ola Aina and Alex Moreno will play at full-back.
The Forest engine room
If the team picks itself defensively, the midfield ranks are really low on numbers for tonight’s game.
James Ward-Prowse was sent off against Chelsea and will miss out through suspension.
Danilo is making good progress but won’t return until around the New Year and the same goes for Ibrahim Sangare.
Ryan Yates has been hailed by Kevin Nolan this week and he will definitely start the game in midfield.
Alongside him, Forest might look to call upon the energy of Elliot Anderson alongside him in a more conventional midfield role.
Leading the Forest line
Chris Wood scored his fourth Forest goal against Chelsea and afterwards, he was praised by Ally McCoist. He will almost certainly start as the striker tonight.
Behind him, there will be an enforced change for Espirito Santo to consider.
Morgan Gibbs-White has been suspended for another match – and for this one, he would have been injured anyway.
Jota Silva has been knocking on the door and perhaps tonight is the night when he should be given a go in the number 10 spot.
Out wide, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga should get the chance to begin the game from the off.
Also in contention for Forest
Carlos Miguel will provide the backup for the goalkeeper spot and is awaiting his first start in the Premier League.
Morato will likely be on the bench again having come on in recent weeks to help Forest try to preserve positive results.
In terms of full-backs, Neco Williams and Harry Toffolo will both compete for places on the bench as backup options.
In terms of central midfielders, Nicolas Dominguezwill be the only player on the bench in that position.
However, there should still be options in attack, with Ramon Sosa and Taiwo Awoniyi both set to provide cover for the forward positions.
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