Nottingham Forest can make mathematically certain of a top-six finish when they take on league leaders Fulham at Craven Cottage on Tuesday night.
The Reds are almost assured of a play-off place, at least. But one more point would absolutely guarantee it. Pinching second spot off Bournemouth is also still not out of the question.
Steve Cooper’s men will be aiming to keep up the pressure on the Cherries when they head to the capital. Off the back of beating Peterborough United at the weekend, they will come up against a Fulham side already promoted to the Premier League and eager to make sure of the title.
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The Forest head coach stuck with a winning team at London Road, naming the same starting XI which had seen off West Bromwich Albion last week. And it could be that he goes with the same line-up again, as he aims to maintain momentum.
The Reds were left sweating on the fitness of Lewis Grabban after Saturday’s 1-0 victory, with the striker having to be subbed off barely 15 minutes after coming off the bench. Even if the injury doesn’t prove to be anything serious, it’s unlikely the skipper would be risked against the Cottargers.
Cooper remains without Aston Villa loanee Keinan Davis, so Sam Surridge will almost certainly lead the line once again. The manager could opt to freshen up the attack by bringing in Joe Lolley, perhaps in place of Philip Zinckernagel. But the latter impressed against Posh and was instrumental in what proved to be the winner.
At the back, the visitors made it four clean-sheets in five games with the shut-out at Peterborough. Steve Cook had made his comeback from injury against the Baggies in the previous game, but didn’t get any extra minutes at the weekend.
Cooper must decide whether the January signing is ready to start a match. And if he is, whether to break up the back-three of Joe Worrall, Tobias Figueiredo and Scott McKenna which has been rock-solid of late.
Predicted Forest XI: Samba; Worrall, Figueiredo, McKenna; Spence, Yates, Garner, Colback; Zinckernagel; Johnson, Surridge.
