Saturday afternoon presents the perfect opportunity for Nottingham Forest and Stoke City to secure a win for very different reasons, as the two sides prepare to do battle at the City Ground.

The Reds will be hoping to carry on from where they left off after an impressive 1-0 home win against promotion rivals Sheffield United last weekend, and having lost just one of their last ten league games, Aitor Karanka's men will be very hopeful of yet another win.

Gary Rowett's men, after a dismal start to the season, have picked up in recent weeks though - the Potters are unbeaten in three league games and will be looking to leave the East Midlands with three points that could push them up to within touching distance of the play-off places.

It's shaping up to be a cracker at the City Ground with both teams hitting form ahead of the festive period.

Here, we take a look at the best Nottingham Forest and Stoke City combined XI ahead of tomorrow's encounter...

He may not have been at his best this season, but it's hard to leave Jack Butland out of this XI - he is an England international.

Darikwa is keeping Saidy Janko out of the side and making the Forest right-back spot his own.

Both teams have been solid at the back recently but looked suspect at the start of the season - Danny Fox has massively improved under Karanka and deserves his place in this team.

Bruno Martins Indi has been a consistent figure at the back for Stoke this season and has arguably been Rowett's best defender.

Jack Robinson is arguably one of the best signings in the Championship this season, with the left-back really impressing since arriving at Forest.

Ryan Woods would get into any Championship midfield and this is no different here - the 24-year-old has been influential in Stoke's midfield and is an established Championship player.

Guedioura has been a regular figure under Karanka and his energy, grit and tenaciousness in midfield is admired by many Reds fans.

This is a no-brainer - Lolley has had an exceptional season thus far after netting four times and producing two assists.

Stoke have many viable candidates for this role, including Bojan, but it's hard to look past Joao Carvalho - the Reds' record signing is now finding his feet in England after a shaky start.

Forest fans won't like this one, but Ince, on his day, has the ability to be one of the best players at Championship level.

He's missing this weekend due to injury, but if fit, he'd be in the side.

Another no-brainer.

Benik Afobe has proven that he can be a fantastic goalscorer at Championship level at Wolves, but Lewis Grabban is simply unstoppable at the minute.

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