Nottingham Forest face Manchester United at the City Ground tonight, with the Premier League back on the radar.
Forest return to league action after a break of over two weeks and will now be buoyed by reaching the last four of the FA Cup.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s team are tantalisingly close to securing a Champions League spot and a few more wins this season might cement the position.
Forest will be buzzing to get back to the City Ground having not played on home soil since beating Manchester City and hopefully another memorable night is in store.
Ahead of the clash with the Red Devils, we’ve looked at how the team might line-up, with Espirito Santo likely to make some changes.
Photo by Jon Hobley | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Jon Hobley | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The Forest rearguard
The defensive solidity has arguably been the highlight of the Forest season, and it’s one consistent that can remain at the moment.
Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic have both been rock solid for the Reds defensively and should start tonight’s game as the central defensive pairing.
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At full-back, Ola Aina on the right and Neco Williams on the left have both been excellent, with their places looking assured too.
Matz Sels is eyeing the Golden Glove accolade this season and will start between the posts.
The Forest engine room
It will perhaps prove a little bit harsh on Ryan Yates, but he’s not likely to play tonight.
Although he scored the winning penalty against Brighton in the FA Cup, there is a sense that Nuno Espirito Santo will revert to his pairing of Nicolas Dominguez and Elliot Anderson against United.
Yates, Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare will likely provide midfield options from the bench.
Leading the Forest line
Chris Wood remains on the sidelines and as a result, the ball falls into the court of Taiwo Awoniyi for goals tonight.
Fans were impressed with Awoniyi at the weekend and he did look sharper than he has done in previous weeks against the Seagulls.
Behind him, it will likely be a return to action for Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga, with Morgan Gibbs-White playing in the number 10.
Line-up image by GRV Media
Line-up image by GRV Media
Also in contention vs Manchester United
Carlos Miguel will likely provide the cover between the posts from the bench.
Defensively, the human doorman Morato will back up the central defenders, with Willy Boly likely to get a place too.
Alex Moreno will once again be called upon in reserve for Williams at left-back.
In attack, options are proving limited. Jota Silva will be on there, but there are doubts over Ramon Sosa who hasn’t been on the bench in recent weeks.
Danilo and Sangare will provide competition for the midfield places, whilst there might also be a place for Harry Toffolo among the substitutes.