Pundits Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have delivered their verdict on Nottingham Forest's home game with Leeds United on Sunday (2pm kick-off).
Forest will take on Jesse Marsch's side hoping to resume the run of wins that has lifted them clear of the Premier League relegation places after sharing the spoils at Bournemouth last time out. Leeds, meanwhile, will be keen to continue climbing the table themselves as they are only three points outside the drop zone.
Forest boss Steve Cooper will be acutely aware that a win will lift his side seven points clear of the bottom three as they continue their bid for top-flight survival. And new signings in the form of Andre Ayew, Keylor Navas and Chris Wood could also be in line to make their Reds debut.
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Although pundits Merson and Sutton highlighted how much both sides needed a win, they highlighted a Leeds weakness that makes it 'too easy' for teams to get at them. Here is what they have had to say about the game...
Paul Merson
"This should be a brilliant game. If Nottingham Forest win this match, they could be seven points clear of the relegation zone," the former Arsenal and Aston Villa player told SportsKeeda. "We're talking about teams that win about five Premier League games all season, so that's a huge gap.
"This game is like a cup final. Leeds play well and dominate football matches, but they don't win Premier League games. They played very well against Villa and Brentford, but didn't get much out of their performances. They need to start converting these games into victories.
"This is a game that neither team can afford to lose, and I wouldn't be surprised if either team won this game. It's a hard one to call, and I'm going to sit on the fence and go with a draw."
Merson prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Leeds United.
Chris Sutton
"Nottingham Forest just keep on signing players - even though the January transfer window is closed they have just brought in Andre Ayew, who was a free agent, for what is their 29th signing since they won promotion to the Premier League in May," the former Blackburn, Norwich and Celtic striker told the BBC.
"Those numbers are staggering, and credit to Forest boss Steve Cooper for knitting a completely new team together while continuing to add to it. Their results have been getting better too - yes, they are out of both cups now, but they are four games unbeaten in the Premier League.
"That's been enough for them to move above a Leeds side who have travelled in the opposite direction, but it is so close at the bottom that Jesse Marsch's side would move back above them with a win. It's been a long time since Leeds picked up three points, however, and I don't think their wait will end this weekend. I've said it many times before, but it is too easy to get at them."
Sutton prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-2 Leeds United.
What is your prediction vs Leeds? Tell us in the comments section
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