Nottingham Forest face a tough test as they welcome Championship leaders, Norwich City to the City Ground.
Victory would see Forest climb above Preston into 16th after the Lilywhites lost at Middlesbrough on Tuesday, whereas Norwich can restore their ten point lead at the summit over Watford with a win.
Team News
Joe Lolley is ruled out for Forest after suffering a hamstring injury in Saturday’s draw against Reading.
Joe Worrall (rib), Harry Arter (calf) and Fouad Bachirou (hamstring) remain absent.
Norwich have no fresh injury concerns as Adam Idah (hernia), Michael McGovern and Sam Byram (both hamstring) remain ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Forest have won just one of their last eight meetings against Norwich (W1, D2, L5).
- Norwich have lost just two of their last six trips to the City Ground (W3, D1, L2), with their three victories all coming by 2-1 results.
- Forest have conceded just two goals in their last five home games (W1, D3, L1).
- Teemu Pukki has scored five goals in Norwich’s last four away matches (W4).
- Forest have drawn their only previous game this season refereed by Leigh Doughty – goalless home against Barnsley in late January.
Prediction
Chris Houghton have got Nottingham Forest playing tighter football in recent weeks as evidenced by narrow results, despite conceding in each of their last four games because Norwich will certainly provide tough questions of their defence.
Speaking of Norwich, they seem to like life on the road this past month with at least two goals in their last four away matches but they did have to dig deep to come from behind at Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday which perhaps indicates that fatigue could be beginning to creep in for some players.
Nevertheless, I can see a good tight contest here because Forest should make life difficult for Daniel Farke’s Canaries and I can see a surprise result coming if Forest come out fighting, unless Norwich can deliver a strong performance but I can actually sense a narrow away win here.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Norwich
Result: Nottingham Forest 0-2 Norwich
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