Nottingham Forest could move into the top half of the Sky Bet Championship table should they beat an MK Dons side desperate to steer clear of the relegation zone. 

Dougie Freedman's Nottingham Forest travel to Middlesbrough this afternoon (3pm kick-off)

This season has so far been one of disappointment for Forest fans, with the side sitting in 15th place in the table, and having put in several lacklustre performances this season under manager Dougie Freedman.

After a season of consolidation last campaign, Forest fans would have been hoping for a play-off push, but pressure is growing with every coming week on Freedman, and they find themselves nine points off of the play-offs, but only seven above the bottom three.

MK Dons however will be reasonably satisfied with their start to life in England's second tier, and manager Karl Robinson has so far avoided the relegation zone, with the Dons sitting in 20th place, one point and two places above the relegation zone.

This is a winnable game for both sides in many cases, and FootballLeagueWorld writer Harry Smith identifies three things to look out for in this afternoon's game...

1) Robinson's team selection

Prior to the game, MK Dons boss Robinson had promised several changes to the first team, with performances in recent weeks having been fairly unpromising.

Dean Bowditch could make a return to the side, alongside Sam Gallagher, who is yet to show his true potential at the stadiummk since arriving on loan from Premier League side Southampton.

2) MK Dons' attitude

Dons fans will fancy their chances against a Nottingham Forest side that are lacking any real attacking threat, with Dexter Blackstock, Ryan Mendes and Tyler Walker all struggling to adapt to the Championship, and struggling to fill the boots of the injured Britt Assombalonga.

Dons fans will hope their side "throws the kitchen sink" at Forest early on, to try and establish an insurmountable lead over an average Forest side.

3) Forest's guile and energy

This will be the third game in eight days for Freedman's side, and he will be hoping that his side can show the grit and guile needed to overcome a plucky MK Dons side, who will be set up to exploit the weaknesses in Forest's side.

The team will most likely be heavily rotated, so Forest could have a long afternoon ahead of them, particularly if they make a slow start.

Forest and MK Dons fans... what do you think the score will be? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!