Nottingham Forest host Sheffield United at the City Ground in the opening match of matchweek two in 2023-24 Premier League.
Having both suffered opening weekend defeats, victory would see Forest or Sheffield Utd move up into the top half of the table.
Team News
Harry Toffolo is set to return for Forest after he underwent hernia surgery over summer.
Wayne Hennessey, Felipe (both knee) and Omar Richards (groin) remain ruled out.
Sheffield Utd manager, Paul Heckingbottom could hand Vinicius Souza his first start for the club, after the Brazilian midfielder made a substitute appearance in their loss to Crystal Palace.
Max Lowe (ankle), Daniel Jebbison (groin) and Oli McBurnie (foot) face late fitness tests.
Rhys Norrington-Davies (hamstring), Jayden Bogle, Ismael Coulibaly (both knee), John Fleck (leg) and Rhian Brewster (hamstring) are ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Nottingham Forest meet Sheffield Utd at the City Ground on Friday 18 August in a 7:45pm BST kick-off untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Forest are winless in two previous Premier League meetings aginst Sheffield Utd (D1, L1).
- Sheffield Utd won their only previous Premier League visit to Forest in May 1993, prevailing 2-0 on that occasion.
- Forest failed to score in each of their two previous Premier League meetings against Sheffield Utd.
- Taiwo Awoniyi has scored seven goals in Forest’s last five matches (W2, D2, L1).
- Paul Heckingbottom’s Blades have kept just two clean sheets in their last seven away matches (W4, L3).
Prediction
Their opening trip to Arsenal was always destined to be a tall order for Forest but they should be happy with their overall effort, because they played well but just lacked end product early on whilst their defence were undone by small moments of clinical finishing from the Gunners.
Sheffield Utd likewise have little to be disappointed about because they played excellently against Crystal Palace but just lacked accuracy in their end product, whilst great goalkeeping from Wes Foderingham limited their loss which boiled down to a marginal slow marking error.
The performances nevertheless mean that both teams have solid foundations to build upon here so I do expect a close contest, which Forest just might edge if can bring their strong home form of last season into this campaign.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Sheffield United
Result: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Sheffield United
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