Sky Sports EFL pundit David Prutton has delivered his verdict on the Reds’ clash against Reading at the City Ground on Wednesday night, suggesting that Forest might have to settle for a draw.

Sabri Lamouchi’s side head into the game looking to build on their 3-1 comeback win against Luton Town at the City Ground on Sunday, which saw the Reds inspired by some individual brilliance from Joe Lolley come back from 1-0 down to record the vital three points.

That win made it four wins in five Championship matches for Forest, which has seen them move to within five points of second placed Leeds United, and a win against Reading on Wednesday would mean that Lamouchi’s side would close the gap to the top two just two points.

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Forest’s recent run has seen them re-find the sort of form they showed earlier on in the campaign, and has allowed Lamouchi’s side to recover from a five match winless run which had threatened to negatively impact their hopes of a top six finish this term.

The only time the Reds have failed to win in their last five Championship games came away at Reading a few weeks ago, with the Royals scoring a last gasp equaliser to prevent Forest from taking all three points, which had looked certain after Ben Watson’s 96th minute opener.

Reading, meanwhile, will be looking to get back on track after suffering a 2-0 defeat at Millwall last weekend, which saw their seven game unbeaten run in the Championship brought to an end, as the Royals lost their first game since manager Mark Bowen signed a new deal last week.

Prutton making his midweek EFL predictions for Sky Sports, suggested that Forest would once again be denied the three points by Reading on Wednesday, writing: "Nottingham Forest are in great form right now. Joe Lolley looks to have hit top speed to help support Lewis Grabban and they look solid at the back too. They could close the gap on West Brom and Leeds.

"Reading have slowed a little in their last couple of games under Mark Bowen, but are still giving a good account of themselves wherever they go. I actually fancy them to nick a draw at the City Ground."

The EFL pundit believes the game will end in a 2-2 draw, which would see the Reds move up to 4th place in the table and close the gap on Leeds to just four points.

The verdict

Given the two sides could not be separated in their last encounter a few weeks ago, and they are both in reasonable form heading into to the game, it is perhaps a reasonable prediction from Prutton to believe the two sides will end up drawing again at the City Ground.

Forest, though, showed in their comeback win against Luton that they are full of belief at the moment, and with Lolley back in real form they could have a potential match winner on their hands, if the game is tight as it would be expected.

A point would not be a bad result for Forest, but they will be hoping for more as they look to really out the pressure on the top two, and a win would really raise hopes amongst the supporters that Forest can challenge for automatic promotion this term.