Latest Nottingham Forest verdict as Sean Dyche's Reds prepare for Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur
After a first away win in Europe for 30 years, Nottingham Forest turn their attention back to matters on the domestic front this weekend.
Arnaud Kalimuendo and Igor Jesus secured a 2-1 Europa League win over Utrecht for the Reds on Thursday evening. Sean Dyche’s side made hard work of it in the Netherlands but got the job done and boosted their hopes of a top-eight finish in the first phase of the tournament.
In the Premier League, though, they have work to do to climb the table and move away from danger. It was a poor showing against Everton last weekend and improvement will be needed when Tottenham Hotspur visit the City Ground on Sunday (2pm kick-off).
Head coach Dyche made nine changes to his starting XI in midweek. Chances are he will shuffle his pack once again on the banks of the Trent.
Full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko and midfielder Douglas Luiz made their comebacks from injury against Utrecht, but it would be a surprise if they started two games in succession. Centre-back Murillo should be able to cope, though, after being substituted with 20 minutes to go on Thursday night following his return from a virus.
Goalkeeper Matz Sels missed that one with a groin issue but it is hoped he will be available to face Spurs. And it could be a return to a back line of Nicolo Savona, Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo and Neco Williams ahead of him. Morato has generally done OK in his fellow Brazilian’s absence, but there is no question Forest are stronger with Murillo involved.
In the centre of the pitch, Luiz impressed on his return to the side. The Reds will hope he can stay fit now as he can have a key role to play in the second half of the season.
Nicolas Dominguez was also excellent on Thursday night as he captained the side. He should at least have given Dyche a decision to make with his performance.
Ibrahim Sangare and Elliot Anderson have proved to be an excellent midfield partnership in recent weeks, though. For the former, Sunday will be his final game in the Garibaldi before he heads off to the Africa Cup of Nations. It will be a blow for Dyche to lose him, given how well Sangare has been playing and the fact Ryan Yates is now facing a spell on the sidelines.
While Luiz and Dominguez caught the eye in the Netherlands, others struggled. Dan Ndoye and James McAtee were below par on the night and might find themselves on the bench come Sunday.
Omari Hutchinson was ineligible for Thursday night but might well come back in for Sunday’s Premier League clash. The likelihood is Morgan Gibbs-White will also return to the XI, in place of McAtee.
Up front, getting on the scoresheet will have boosted Kalimuendo’s confidence. Jesus has been the man in possession of the shirt in the absence of Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi, though, so may well get the nod against Tottenham
Forest predicted XI: Sels; Savona, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Sangare, Anderson; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus.