Nottingham Forest face Fulham at Craven Cottage tonight and ahead of the clash, we’ve looked at a predicted team that Steve Cooper might utilise.
The Reds have lost three at the trot in the Premier League and are slipping closer to the bottom three than they’d like to this season.
Steve Cooper has come under pressure in recent weeks and it’s no secret that he could desperately do with a big performance and result tonight.
Predicted Nottingham Forest team vs Fulham
The Forest rearguard
Odysseas Vlachodimos will likely keep his place between the posts for the trip to the capital, having been handed his debut against Aston Villa last month.
At the back, there could be some changes, following successive home defeats against Brighton and Everton.
Serge Aurier looked rusty on Saturday and he could be replaced by Ola Aina on the right-hand side of the defensive unit.
Elsewhere, perhaps Felipe will start for the first time this season after returning against Everton, playing the whole second half.
Murillo and Harry Toffolo will both likely keep their places on the left side of the flat back four.
The Forest engine room
It seemed madness even to consider dropping Nicolas Dominguez on Saturday and Steve Cooper has to restore him tonight.
Darren Fletcher previously praised Dominguez when he first came into the club and he should get the chance to start against Fulham.
Ibrahim Sangare will likely keep his place after he came off just beyond the hour mark on Saturday.
Completing the three-man midfield, it would be very difficult to drop Orel Mangala who has been one of the team’s unsung heroes this season.
Leading the Forest line
This is where Cooper is going to have his biggest conundrum tonight.
Chris Wood was largely ineffective against Brighton and Everton and perhaps deploying Morgan Gibbs-White in a more central role is the way to go.
If he plays as a false nine, it could allow Cooper to utilise proper wingers in tandem.
Anthony Elanga should get the nod to start, whilst Callum Hudson-Odoi could also get his first start for a couple of months against the team that wanted him this summer.
Here is how the predicted Forest team could look tonight:
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