Nottingham Forest predicted line-up vs Ipswich Town: £5m star handed start after winning goal
Nottingham Forest predicted line-up vs Ipswich Town: £5m star handed start after winning goal
The latest Nottingham Forest team news, injury updates and predicted XI ahead of their clash with Ipswich
Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town will be reunited at Portman Road in a Premier League fixture which takes place just two weeks after the team’s played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in the FA Cup. On that occasion, there was very little to separate the two sides with Nuno Espirito Santo’s men ultimately progressing to the quarter-finals in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out at the City Ground.
However, in terms of league position, the two sides have very different targets this season, with the Reds pushing for a return to the Champions League for the first time since the glory years of Brian Clough in the 1980s and the Tractor Boys fighting to simply secure their status in the division.
Forest, who have been this year’s surprise package thanks to the heroics of Chris Wood, Morgan Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson and Mats Selz earned a memorable 1-0 victory over champions Manchester City to put themselves firmly in the driving seat for a top four spot and will not look to take another step closer towards achieving that objective.
Meanwhile, Ipswich simply cannot afford to lose after falling four points behind Wolves in the relegation battle ahead of a weekend which also sees Old Gold take on basement side Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium. Ahead of a crucial match for both teams we take a look at the Nottingham Forest team news and the line-up we expect Nuno Espirito Santo to play at Portman Road as the race for Europe intensifies.
Nottingham Forest goalkeeper and defence
Belgian goalkeeper Matz Sels has kept a league-leading 12 clean sheets in the Premier League and has been pivotal to Forest’s success with a series of stellar performances between the posts.
Former Chelsea right-back Ola Aina has also enjoyed the best season in defence and has been reliable throughout the campaign. The Nigerian is expected to keep his place in defence and is likely to line-up alongside consistent centre back duo Nikola Milenković and Murillo as well as Welsh left back Nico Williams.
Nottingham Forest midfield and attack
Former Newcastle United midfielder Elliot Anderson has enjoyed a sensational debut campaign at the heart of the Nottingham Forest midfield and will feel unfortunate not to be involved in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad. The youngster is expected to start in the central role alongside Nicolas Dominguez with creative outlet Morgan Gibbs-White starting just ahead of the pair as an attacking midfielder.
On the wing, Callum Hudson-Odoi, a bargain of a signing at £5m and scorer of the winner against Manchester City, is expected to start, with Anthony Elanga proving a further attacking threat on the opposite flank. While Chris Wood, who is now without a goal in three matches, is expected to lead the line as he looks to add to his career best goal tally of 18 in the top-flight.
Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Anderson, Dominguez; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood.
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