Nottingham Forest are gearing up for one final push in the battle to secure Champions League football.
With 10 games of the Premier League season remaining, the third-placed Reds are in a good position to qualify for Europe. But Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will not be taking anything for granted as they look to get over the line.
The Forest head coach has been keen to guard against complacency all season, and he will maintain that approach ahead of this weekend’s trip to face Ipswich Town. The visitors will know they cannot afford to take their foot off the gas when they face the relegation strugglers at Portman Road on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
The Tractor Boys might be third-bottom in the standings but they have already demonstrated they will present a tough challenge for Nuno’s men. The Reds needed extra-time and penalties to get past Ipswich in the FA Cup last week.
Forest go into their final fixture before the international break on the back of a huge win over Manchester City at the weekend. Callum Hudson-Odoi scored the only goal of the game to clinch the three points over the reigning champions at the City Ground.
Their next opponents are scrapping at the other end of the table but it would be a surprise if Nuno mixes up his line-up too much in East Anglia. After all, consistency has served the Reds well for much of this term.
Get breaking Forest news sent direct to your phone
Join our Nottingham Forest WhatsApp group and get the latest breaking news, interviews and opinion sent straight to your phone, plus matchday team news and live updates of all the action. Just click here and select ‘Join Community’ to get started. The only proviso is that you must have WhatsApp on your phone to participate. No one will be able to see your personal information and you will only receive messages from the NottinghamshireLive Reds writers.
We will not spam your WhatsApp feed with constant messages, but you will receive updates from us daily with the latest Reds stories. If you later decide to opt out, just go to the name at the top of your screen and click 'Exit Group'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you are curious, you can click here to read our Privacy Notice.
Assuming Nuno opts to stick with his strongest possible XI, there is really only one area of the pitch where there is a debate over who should get the nod. However, perhaps after Saturday’s display it is less of a dilemma than was the case before.
Nicolas Dominguez’s place in the side was questioned when the team was announced before the clash with City. Plenty of fans would like to have seen Ryan Yates get the green light to be Elliot Anderson's midfield partner after some positive performances.
Argentine Dominguez, on the other hand, had not been at his best prior to Saturday. However, he more than justified Nuno’s decision to stick with him - and keep the same XI from the 0-0 draw with Arsenal in the previous league game - by putting in an outstanding display for the best part of 70 minutes before being substituted.
There is a case to be made for going with the same team again this weekend. After all, why fix what isn’t broken?
Yates did score against Ipswich in the FA Cup, though, so perhaps that will come into Nuno’s thinking. The Nigel Doughty Academy graduate popped up with the vital equaliser in the fifth round tie after the hosts had fallen behind. Ibrahim Sangare and Danilo are also options in midfield, if Nuno wants to mix things up further.
Predicted Forest starting XI to face Ipswich: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood.
How should Forest line up against Ipswich? Click HERE to have your say