Nottingham Forest head into the final game of the season safe in the knowledge they have secured a play-off place but still smarting from defeat to Bournemouth.
The Reds could have put themselves in the driving seat for automatic promotion with vicory on the south coast, but a 1-0 defeat means Bournemouth secured second place in the Championship. Forest head to Hull City on Saturday knowing they will either finish third of fourth as they wait to see who out of Sheffield United, Luton, Middlesbrough and Millwall will join the Reds and Huddersfield in the play-offs.
With the stakes now much lower at Hull, manager Steve Cooper can afford to rest players ahead of the semi-finals, which start on Friday, 13 May (6th vs 3rd) and Saturday, 14 May (5th vs 4th). The second legs will be on Monday, 16 May (3rd vs 6th) and Tuesday, 17 May (4th vs 5th).
KEY DATES: When Forest will play in the Championship play-offs
TALKING POINTS: Cooper left with dilemma as Forest must use Bournemouth hurt as play-off fuel
We debated the potential starting XI for the Hull game on the latest Garibaldi Red podcast, with host Matt Davies suggesting sweeping changes before guests Michael Temple and Greg Mitchell had their say.
This is the team Davies pitched for Saturday: Samba, Panzo, Figueiredo, McKenna/Mbe Soh, Laryea, Cafu, Ojeda, Colback, Silva, Mighten, Lolley
You can listen to the full episode, which was recorded before news of Steve Cook's father suffering a cardiac arrest emerged, here but this is what Temple and Mitchell said in response.
MT: "That doesn't feel like what Cooper's mindset will be. Joe Worrall looks like he can go on and on.
"Some players need the rhythm of games and don't forget, there is a gap between the Hull game and the play-offs.
"Some players are crying out for a rest, but is Panzo going to be the answer in the play-offs? Probably not so it's hard to justify the minutes, whereas Laryea needs to be ready in case he's needed against Middlesbrough.
"I think we'll see four, five or six changes rather than 10 but I'll back Cooper whatever he decides."
GM: "I think you have to keep the captain playing. Worrall won't want to be on the bench.
"Yates took a nasty knock and never really recovered so you could be forgiven for resting him. Cook got a cut on the head that just wouldn't stop bleeding.
"You would expect those two not to play. Figs (Figueiredo) was on a par with the other three defenders when he played so no issue there.
"Spence's possible absence we have to prepare for so for me, Spence, Yates and Cook get a rest."
