Nottingham Forest face a tricky Premier League test against leaders, Arsenal at the City Ground.
Victory could lift Forest up to 16th if Leeds fail to beat Fulham in the mid-afternoon kick-offs, whilst Arsenal will stay top of the table regardless of the result.
Team News
Forest will welcome Willy Boly and Ibrahim Sangare back into contention following their return from international duty for Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Ryan Yates (hamstring) could return but John Victor and Chris Wood (both knee) are still ruled out.
Arsenal have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 3-2 semi-final first-leg victory at Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.
Piero Hincapie (groin), Riccardo Calafiori (muscle), Cristhian Mosquera and Max Dowman (both ankle) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Forest host Arsenal at the City Ground on Saturday 17 January at 5:30pm GMT, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Forest are winless in their last five clashes against Arsenal (D1, L4).
- Arsenal are unbeaten in six of their last eight league visits to Forest (W4, D2, L2).
- Forest have never held Arsenal to consecutive draws at home in all competitions.
- Forest have conceded two goals in each of their last two home matches (L2).
- Arsenal have scored more league goals from corner kicks than any other team this season (18).
Prediction
Now out of the FA Cup despite a valiant fightback amidst various pieces of awful scruffy marking at Wrexham, Forest can focus primarily on their fight to stay up but they will now have their eye more on winning the Europa League if want European football next season yet survival has to be the priority.
Sean Dyche therefore needs to ensure that his defence is much tighter in their marking and the attack can continue to be clinical when get chances, as they won’t have it their own way here.
Arsenal meanwhile were excellent in their attacking press with energy and sharp movement at Chelsea where they should of got a bigger win, yet they did leak two poorly marked goals from Alejandro Garnacho which shows that their defence can be beaten clinically.
I however don’t see Forest having too much defensively to stop Arsenal if the Gunners turn up with the same attitude and are more composed in their final touches.
Prediction: Forest 0-3 Arsenal
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