There is now just a matter of weeks before Nottingham Forest and the rest of the Premier League take a break from league action in order to make room for the winter World Cup in Qatar.
Players are jetting off to represent their nations in less than two weeks time with the tournament starting later this month. Ahead of the break, teams will want to improve their position in the Premier League table in the best way possible.
Forest have endured a difficult start to their first season back in the league. With nine points from their opening 13 games, the Reds currently sit bottom of the table, despite memorable wins over West Ham United and Liverpool at the City Ground.
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Last week saw Forest unable to build on the 1-0 victory over the Reds, falling to a 5-0 defeat to league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. As they battle to maintain their status at the end of the season, eyes might start turning to other results which could have an impact.
The bottom end of the table is still relatively tight, with just six points separating the Reds from eleventh-placed Brentford. We take a look at how Forest’s run of fixtures before the World Cup compares to that of their nearest rivals who are within three points of the Reds going into the latest game.
Nottingham Forest - 20th (9 points)
Saturday, November 5 - Brentford (H)
Wednesday, November 9 - Tottenham Hotspur (Carabao Cup) (H)
Saturday, November 12 - Crystal Palace (H)
The final two home games in the league before the World Cup break could be a huge advantage for Forest as they look to climb off the bottom of the table. Both of their wins so far this season have come in front of their home fans.
Games against Brentford and Crystal Palace are also ones that could be seen as winnable for Steve Cooper's side, especially with a bouncing City Ground behind them. Taking two wins from those games could mean that the table will look a lot different when the World Cup comes around.
Wolverhampton Wanderers - 19th (10 points)
Saturday, November 5 - Brighton and Hove Albion (H)
Wednesday, November 9 - Leeds United (Carabao Cup) (H)
Saturday, November 12 - Arsenal (H)
Like Forest, Wolves have all three games at home before the international break, something which could have an impact. However, on paper, Wolves' next two league games against in form Brighton and Hove Albion and league leaders Arsenal, does look more difficult that Forest's.
Leicester City - 18th (11 points)
Saturday, November 5 - Everton (A)
Tuesday, November 8 - Newport County (Carabao Cup) (H)
Saturday, November 12 - West Ham United (A)
Leicester City won't have home advantage to lean on in their final two Premier League games before the break, with Leicester, unlike Forest, travelling away for both games. It may have been more of a concern for the Foxes had they not picked up their first away points of the season in their last trip with a 4-0 win over Wolves.
Southampton - 17th (12 points)
Sunday, November 6 - Newcastle United (H)
Wednesday, November 9 - Sheffield Wednesday (Carabao Cup) (H)
Saturday, November 12 - Liverpool (A)
The first team to have one home and one away game. It could be argued that the Saints have the toughest fixtures of all towards the bottom, with a trip to Anfield always a difficult game, despite Liverpool's current poor form.
Aston Villa - 16th (12 points)
Sunday, November 6 - Manchester United (H)
Thursday, November 10 - Manchester United (Carabao Cup) (A)
Sunday, November 13 - Brighton & Hove Albion (A)
Another team with one home and away game before the break. A double header against Manchester United could see a number of changes made for both teams in the second meeting in the Carabao Cup, before Villa face a tough trip to the Amex Stadium before the break.
Leeds United - 15th (12 points)
Saturday, November 5 - Bournemouth (H)
Wednesday, November 9 - Wolves (Carabao Cup) (A)
Saturday, November 12 - Tottenham (A)
The trip to Bournemouth might be a game that Bournemouth are targeting to get all three points from, with the Cherries not too far ahead of Jesse Marsch's side in the league. The impact of the upcoming World Cup may be seen in the final game vs Spurs, where the likes of England captain Harry Kane will be looking to avoid injury.
How many points will Forest pick up from their next two league games? Have your say in the comments
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