Nottingham Forest face Leeds United at Elland Road tonight and ahead of the game we’ve looked at a predicted XI that Steve Cooper could utilise.
These are desperate times for the Reds. Forest haven’t won for seven games since they defeated tonight’s opponents at the City Ground.
Now, they will know that a defeat on Trentside this evening could see them slip into the bottom three. As a result, a win is desperately needed.
Ahead of tonight’s game, we looked at how Forest might line up.
Predicted Nottingham Forest XI v Leeds
The Forest rearguard
Dean Henderson is edging closer to full fitness but for now, Keylor Navas will continue to deputise.
At the back, there could be one change made by Cooper this evening.
Renan Lodi will likely come back into the team, with Harry Toffolo stopping back to the bench.
With bigger games on the horizon, Serge Aurier might not be risked and Neco Williams should start once again.
At centre-back, both Felipe and Moussa Niakhate should continue.
The Forest engine room
Another change could be on the horizon here.
Cheikhou Kouyate made a cameo against Wolves and he could start here ahead of Orel Mangala.
Alongside him, Remo Freuler will start, with Danilo keeping his place after a tidy showing on Saturday.
Jonjo Shelvey will have to make do with a place on the bench.
Leading the Forest line
The big decision is whether to put Taiwo Awoniyi straight back into the team or not.
We don’t think that Cooper will make that call tonight and instead, will go with the same three in attack as he did at the weekend.
Emmanuel Dennis, Morgan Gibbs-White and Brennan Johnson all played well so would be hard done by to get dropped for tonight.
Here is how a predicted Nottingham Forest XI could look tonight:
