Nottingham Forest lost their last Championship match - a 2-0 defeat against high-flying Fulham at Craven Cottage last weekend - but there were plenty of positives to take from their performance against a side who has played so well of late.

Cottagers keeper Marcus Bettinelli made three good saves and was voted man of the match by the home fans, which is testament to how well Forest performed and on another day, they could have snatched one point or all three.

That is what Aitor Karanka will be focusing on as he prepares his side to host Hull City, who find themselves in the relegation after a poor run of form, at the City Ground on Saturday.

Last weekend, with Fulham on such good form, Karanka was able to set his side up as underdogs, which is often the way he prefers to operate but this time around the onus will be on Forest, as favourites, to take the game to Nigel Adkins' men.

We've taken a closer look at the best eleven they can field...

Pantilimon was one of the host of new arrivals who pitched up at the City Ground on transfer deadline day and was thrust into the first team straight away at Craven Cottage.

He was actually beaten at the near post for Lucas Piazon's opener, so will be hoping for a better performance against the Tigers tomorrow.

With the signing of Stefanos Kapino recently completed, Pantilimon will be under further pressure for the number one jersey - now Forest have three senior on their books - and he needs to impress here to keep his place in the team.

Eric Lichaj hit the headlines last month for an eye-catching double against Arsenal in the FA Cup Third Round and of course the social media campaign afterwards that succeeded in getting him a dog, which he named Gunner.

More regularly, he's a dependable full-back and I would be surprised if he didn't feature here, getting up and down that right flank while remaining solid in defence.

Joe Worrall has enjoyed an impressive season at the City Ground and attracted interest from Premier League Burnley, who have made a habit of taking players from the EFL and turning them into effective top flight players, in January.

Forest stood firm, pricing the Clarets and their manager Sean Dyche out of a move, and I expect Worrall to be the bedrock of Karanka's defence for the rest of the season.

With Forest looking to be on the front foot here, Karanka will be hoping that his defenders do not have too much to do but Worrall will be a key part of keeping the door closed.

Figueiredo will be looking to ease Michael Mancienne out of the side sooner rather than later and the former Chelsea man's erratic form means that may happen this weekend.

Figueiredo has represented his country at the Olympic Games and is an exciting coup for Forest. If he can form a decent partnership with Worrall, then Karanka will have the solid bedrock on which he tries to build all his teams.

He will hope that process starts this weekend.

Forest have been looking for a new left back to bolster their options since Armand Traore left and free Juan Fuentes has come through the door to do just that.

That puts scrutiny on Danny Fox, as the Spaniard has a large amount of La Liga experience to call on.

For the time being, the left-back slot is Fox's but he needs to put in an impressive performance to keep it, with new blood now in competition with him.

Cash has experienced competition for his place in the shape of former Fulham wideman Ashkan Dejagah, who was another to arrive on a busy deadline day.

The Iranian is looking to get fit and firing in time for the World Cup, which should make Cash redouble his efforts to stay in the first team between now and the end of the season.

Guedioura is an experienced head who this week explained that he never really wanted to leave the club the first time around and that his bond with Forest is still strong.

He has been brought in to guide the younger players in the team and add a bit of class on the ball.

His role was more defensive last week, given Fulham's passing style but this week he will be hoping to put his own stamp on proceedings.

Jack Colback is a very good coup for a Championship side and he is another, like Guedioura, who can do both sides of the game.

He will be looking to pick more passes this week and unlock a Hull defence who could well be lacking some confidence after a recent run of poor form.

Tomlin was left on the bench last week against Fulham, with his style not really suited to the counter-attacking, backs against the wall style needed to trouble the Whites.

This week, as Forest look to get on the front foot, I think he should get the nod ahead of Ben Osborn and use his creative ability to supply Forest's young, lively front three.

This is the kind of game in which Dowell should flourish. He should see plenty of the ball, be up against a defence low on confidence and a team that is not winning matches and he will expecting to enjoy his afternoon.

Karanka has brought in experienced players in the creative areas, and he will be looking over his shoulder after the arrival of Tomlin, in particular.

On this occasion, they can both play together but there may be times when it comes down to a choice between the former Middlesbrough man and the Everton loanee and Dowell will need to play well to keep his place.

Brereton burst into the wider consciousness with a hugely impressive display against Arsenal but he needs to add consistency to his game.

Karanka asks for a lot from his strikers and Brereton looks keen and willing to learn. I would fancy him to score here and that should set Forest on the way to victory.