Nottingham Forest will be eager to extend their eight-match unbeaten run at the City Ground in the Premier League this weekend.
Home form is proving crucial to the Reds’ survival bid. And with the gap between Steve Cooper’s side and the relegation zone down to four points, there is much riding on Sunday’s clash with Everton.
Getting the team selection right will be key. The 4-0 thumping at West Ham United showed the difference changes in shape and personnel can make, with the departure of Jonjo Shelvey proving a turning point at the London Stadium.
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The midfielder’s substitution was a planned one. He has only recently recovered from a calf problem, and Cooper said afterwards that he didn’t want to “risk him getting injured again”.
In the time he was on the pitch, Shelvey had done well. He was missed when he went off. The January signing is going to be an important player in the remaining games.
Assuming he is fit to start against the Toffees, there is a decision to be made over who lines up alongside him. It remains to be seen whether Ryan Yates is able to feature after he was not involved in the capital. When he is ready, he will surely come straight back into the XI.
Remo Freuler had a poor game last weekend, but it would be a surprise if he drops out of the line-up. Jack Colback had deservedly kept his place after an excellent performance against Manchester City and made a second successive start. However, with the Reds needing to be more progressive against Sean Dyche’s men, Cooper could opt for a switch.
Orel Mangala could come back into the side. Alternatively, the head coach could turn to Danilo or Gustavo Scarpa.
Injuries continue to limit Cooper’s options at the back. He will be hoping the groin problem which made Renan Lodi a doubt against the Hammers and forced him off with 13 minutes to go doesn’t turn into anything serious. Harry Toffolo would be the man to step in, if needed.
It will be interesting to see how the Reds set up in attack. After opening his goalscoring account as a substitute against City, Chris Wood never really got the opportunity to build on that last time out. The front man had a quiet game.
With Jesse Lingard available again, Cooper could consider an attacking trio of the former Manchester United man, Morgan Gibbs-White and Brennan Johnson, which he has used before. But although he chose not to start with an out-and-out striker when Pep Guardiola's side were the visitors, that was with a very specific game-plan in mind. Sam Surridge, Andre Ayew and Emmanuel Dennis provide other options to consider.
Predicted Forest XI: Navas; Williams, Worrall, Felipe, Lodi; Shelvey, Freuler, Mangala; Gibbs-White; Johnson, Wood.
What would your starting XI be? Have your say in the comments below
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