High-flying Burnley play host to mid-table Nottingham Forest in an intriguing Sky Bet Championship encounter tonight at Turf Moor.

Burnley will be hopeful of strengthening their grip on a spot in the automatic promotion places, meanwhile Nottingham Forest need a win to keep their very faint play-off aspirations alive.

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw at the City Ground earlier this season, so both will be hopeful that they can go one better this evening and pick up a crucial three points.

Burnley currently sit in second place in the Sky Bet Championship, whilst Dougie Freedman's Nottingham Forest occupy 11th spot in the division

FLW writer Tom Percival highlights THREE aspects that could play a key factor in deciding the outcome of the game.....

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE THREE THINGS!

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Nottingham Forest's away record

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Dougie Freedman's side have travelled very well in recent times and will hope to continue this on their trip to Lancashire.

Forest are uneaten in their last six league away games, albeit drawing four.

This will be a game that the Burnley faithful will expect their side to win, so if Forest can frustrate the Clarets, there may be ample opportunity to hit them on the break and pick up a very impressive three points.

James Tarkowski

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A new addition to Sean Dyche's side after his January move from Brentford, Tarkowski is expected to make his full Burnley debut tonight.

With Michael Keane picking up an injury during the win over Rotherham, Tarkowski will get his chance, and it will be interesting to see how he fits in.

Undoubtedly an extremely talented defender at this level, it can be difficult for centre-back to slot into a new defence halfway through the season, and Forest may seek to exploit this.

However if Tarkowski does perform, he will further strengthen what has already been a mean Championship defence this season.

Nelson Oliveira

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With Assombalonga being ruled out with a long-term injury, the emphasis has been on Oliveira to supply the goals, and generally he has done reasonably well.

His winner at Elland Road in Forest's last away game proves his ability to score important goals, an Burnley will need to watch him closely.

Freedman's side don't tend to score masses of goals, so Oliveira's tally of eight is not too bad considering he only arrived in September and the squad as a whole has only bagged 31 between them.

If they can get Oliveira good service at Turf Moor tonight, he has the ability to cause Burnley some real problems.