Nottingham Forest take on Liverpool tonight in the most eagerly anticipated City Ground match since the second leg of the Championship play-off semi-final in May 2022.
The Reds are third with 40 points from 20 games, whilst Liverpool are six points ahead of Forest having played a game less. Frankly, a win tonight for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men changes the landscape considerably.
Pundits have delivered their predictions and it’s almost time for things to get going under the City Ground floodlights. The atmosphere promises to be electric and hopefully, that can upset the Liverpool rhythm.
Forest beat Luton on Saturday, with Espirito Santo making 11 changes to the team. With that in mind, tonight’s team selection looks intriguing and we’ve had a go at thinking like the Forest head coach.
Nottingham Forest predicted XI vs Liverpool
The Nottingham Forest rearguard
This does practically pick itself these days. The team’s current run of form has been built on solid foundations and a sound rearguard, with Espirito Santo having a trusted set of players.
Matz Sels will definitely start in goal, whilst Ola Aina will operate as the right-back. Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo will continue to develop their relationship at centre-back from the outset.
The issue Espirito Santo might have is at left-back. Alex Moreno was praised by Alan Shearer for the job he did on Mohamed Salah in September and we think that might prompt the boss to pick him again tonight.
The Nottingham Forest engine room
Once again Espirito Santo has a decision to make here, with Ryan Yates pushing for a start after he bagged during Saturday’s FA Cup victory over Luton.
Back in September, Yates wound Alexis Mac Allister up something rotten and with that in mind, we’ve got a sneaky feeling that the Forest captain might start ahead of Nicolas Dominguez tonight.
Elliot Anderson looks almost certain to play for the Reds alongside Yates. The £35 million signing from Newcastle has really started to kick on with Alan Shearer a big fan of Anderson.
Leading the Forest line
Right now, this is another area that picks itself. Chris Wood has 12 goals this season and he will undoubtedly get the nod to play as the striker in the team as he looks for more goals for his tally.
Behind him, expected Morgan Gibbs-White to play as a number 10. The player nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month was in fine form in December and is a huge player for Forest.
Although Forest had joy by packing out the midfield at Anfield last time out, we can’t see that being the case tonight, with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga surely set to come in from the off.
Also in contention
The bench will once again be brimming with quality with a number of fringe players dropping back to the bench after starting on Saturday.
Carlos Miguel will provide cover in goal, with Harry Toffolo, Morato, Willy Boly and Neco Williams all providing defensive cover.
In midfield, Nicolas Dominguez will be there if he doesn’t start, with Danilo now recovered from the broken ankle that he suffered on the opening day of the season.
James Ward-Prowse played well on Saturday and his set-pieces could prove an asset for Espirito Santo to call upon if Forest are chasing the game late on.
In attack, Ramon Sosa, Jota Silva and Taiwo Awoniyi will all once again take their place on the bench for the visit of Liverpool.
Receive a digest of our best Nottingham Forest content each week direct to your mailbox
