Leeds United take on Nottingham Forest this Sunday. But, the Reds face a trip to Austria and Sturm Graz in the Europa League this evening first.
United’s bid to stay in the Premier League this season might hinge on whether they can become much tougher to beat on their travels.
Defeat at Brighton came thanks to a woefully open performance, and the same cannot follow this Sunday at the City Ground.
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Leeds United looking to bounce back against injury-hit Nottingham Forest squad
Nottingham Forest’s third manager of the season already, Sean Dyche is having to juggle several fitness issues in his squad this week.
A Europa League trip out to Austrian side Sturm Graz awaits in the next hour. Forest have one win in three and will want to get another three points on the board to boost their chances of going the distance in the tournament.
Sean Dyche is looking to turn Nottingham Forest’s fortunes around against Leeds United this weekend. (REUTERS/Tony O Brien)
For Dyche, he’s got plenty of injury dilemmas to concern himself with. Long-term absentee Ola Aina is out, while Dilane Bakwa, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Angus Gunn and Douglas Luiz are all going to be missing until after the international break too.
On top of confirmed absentees, Forest also have doubts for the weekend in former Leeds man Chris Wood, and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Nottingham Forest team news: Sean Dyche names heavily rotated Europa League XI tonight
Before returning to the City Ground, Forest have to navigate their 5:45pm clash with Sturm tonight. Dyche has named his lineup for the match as follows:
Forest lineup: John; Savona, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Sangare, Yates, Dominguez; McAtee, Kalimuendo, Gibbs-White. Subs: Sels, Willows, Murillo, Ndoye, Boly, Abbott, Whitehall, Thompson, Sinclair, Hammond.
Of their lineup that drew 2-2 with Manchester United last weekend, only Nicolo Savona, Nikola Milenkovic, Neco Williams, and Morgan Gibbs-White keep their places. Dyche has made seven changes.
Injuries have forced the 54-year-old’s hand in some respects, but there’s clearly a view to Sunday against Leeds. The complete omission of star man Elliot Anderson, plus Matz Sels, Murillo, Dan Ndoye all being benched underlines where Forest’s priorities lie as they sit in the Premier League relegation zone.
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