Predicted Nottingham Forest XI to face Stoke City

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Nottingham Forest travel to Stoke City this evening knowing that a win will put them on top of the Championship.

The Reds are unbeaten in the league since the opening day of the season and have won twice on the road this season.

Stoke are in freefall and desperately need points at the other end of the table; with Nathan Jones seemingly clinging to his job.

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Forest were thumped 5-0 by Arsenal in midweek and several changes are expected at the Bet 365 Stadium this evening.

Here at Seat Pitch, we look at the predicted eleven that Sabri Lamouchi will task with hitting the summit of the Championship:

Goalkeeper and back four

Brice Samba was handed a rest in midweek and he should return between the posts this evening.

Matty Cash picks himself as the only fit right-back at the moment; Yuri Ribeiro should return at left-back having played on the flank in midweek.

Michael Dawson and Joe Worrall both earned a rest at the Emirates Stadium but will be restored to the starting line-up this evening.

Both players have been magnificent so far this season and the last two games have reaped two clean sheets.

Middle of the park

Ben Watson was another who was taken out of the limelight in midweek and he should return at Stoke.

The 34-year-old has been sensational so far this season and is integral to the way in which Forest play under Lamouchi.

Alfa Semedo was ruled out with injury for the trip to North London and is unlikely to be risked from the start.

That probably means that Samba Sow will get the nod, tasked with being the muscle alongside the flair of Joao Carvalho.

In attack

Joe Lolley should operate on one of the flanks and he will look to kick-start his season in Staffordshire.

Albert Adomah played as a makeshift striker against the Gunners and he could return to a more natural wide berth this evening.

Lewis Grabban as the lone striker should pick himself. The £6 million man was an unused substitute in midweek so should be well rested for tonight’s game.