Nottingham Forest v Birmingham City: Team News, Match Preview and Likely Line-Ups

Team News

Nottingham Forest boss Philippe Montanier confirmed this week that striker Britt Assombalonga and defender Daniel Pinillos are back in full training, although neither will be in contention to play this evening.

Hildeberto Pereira could return for the Reds after missing the game against Bristol City with a knock, whilst the Forest boss will once again choose between Apostolos Vellios and Nicklas Bendtner to start in attack.

Birmingham City welcome back former Forest man Robert Tesche back into their squad, although he will be unlikely to start given the Blues’ good form in his absence.

The Blues’ most notable returnee is influential striker Clayton Donaldson who will be back in the squad after missing three games with an Achilles injury.

Likely Line-Ups

Forest: Stojkovic; Lichaj, Mills, Perquis, Fox; Vaughan; Cohen, Lansbury; Pereira, Bendtner, Osborn

Birmingham City: Legzdins; Spector, Morrison, Shotton, Grounds; Cotterill, Gleeson, Davis, Maghoma; Adams, Donaldson

Match Preview

Forest have not won a game since beating Leeds United 3-1 on August 27^th and given the managerial sacking culture at the City Ground, boss Philippe Montanier knows that his side must start winning soon.

The French manager has been renowned for chopping and changing his side throughout the season and if Forest are to get out of their current rut he needs to establish what his best team is and quickly.

Forest will not want their current winless run to go on much longer and a game under the City Ground lights is the perfect tonic for the first game after the international break.

Birmingham are one of the form sides in the Sky Bet Championship and boss Gary Rowett has raised expectation levels at St. Andrews.

The Blues have not tasted defeat since a 3-1 reverse at the hands of Wolverhampton Wanderers back in August and a win at the City Ground will see them go second for the time being.

Buoyed by the return to full fitness of talisman Clayton Donaldson, the Blues will look to leave the East Midlands with all three points and pile the misery on a Forest side shy of confidence at present.

The Key Battle - David Vaughan v Che Adams

Birmingham will likely deploy the ex-Sheffield United man in a number ten role, making the inclusion of David Vaughan vital in the Nottingham Forest team. The Reds are a much stronger defensive unit when ex-Wales international Vaughan is shielding the back four and the sooner boss Philippe Montanier realises that the better. Adams has made a solid start to life in the Championship and Forest will be hoping to keep him at bay this evening.

Prediction

Forest at home have been a match for anyone so far this season and they will need to show their attacking strength here. That said, I believe the Blues will do enough to secure at least a point. Nottingham Forest 1-1 Birmingham City

Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City fans, how do you see this evening going? Will your side collect all three points? Let us know in the comments below!!!