With an impressive eight-game unbeaten league run (W5, D3) to improve on, Nottingham Forest are in great form as they aim to return to the Premier League for the first time in 23 years. The Reds haven’t lost a league game at home during 2022 and have only conceded four goals at the City Ground this year, turning their stadium into a fortress. A win against Coventry would see the Forest finish the day inside the top six.
A win for Coventry, though, would see the Sky Blues move to within two points of Forest, having played two more games than the Reds. Coventry’s play-off dreams aren’t necessarily over, but Mark Robins’ side would need to capitalise on their last seven games to catch the teams above them. A dramatic ninth-minute stoppage-time equaliser against Blackburn Rovers will have spurred Coventry on last time out and the Sky Blues will be looking to complete their first league double over Forest since the 2004/05 season.
Team news
Nottingham Forest were boosted with the early return of centre-back Scott McKenna last time out.
“He really committed to his recovery during the international break. He hasn't had any time off,” Forest boss Steve Cooper said to Nottinghamshire Live Sport.
“Scott being Scott, he really wanted to play. Fortunately he was fit, and he played well”.
Fellow defenders Max Lowe (groin) and Steve Cook (ankle) remain sidelined for another three weeks.
Elsewhere, Lewis Grabban was in the match day squad for the first time since January against Blackpool, making his first appearance after recovering from an ankle injury.
Brice Samba returned in goal against Blackpool as Ethan Horvath returned from international duty just before the fixture, but the American will be looking to retain the gloves for this match.
As for Coventry, vice-captain Kyle McFadzean is expected to miss this Forest game as he continues to nurse a calf strain.
Jodi Jones (Knee), Josh Eccles (Torn Calf) and Liam Kelly (Hamstring) are also all out and not expected back until around Easter time, whilst Chelsea loanee Jake Clarke-Salter is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a groin injury.
Predicted lineups
Nottingham Forest: Horvath, Spence, Worrall, Figueiredo, McKenna, Colback, Yates, Garner, Johnson, Davis, Grabban
Coventry City: Moore, Dabo, Rose, Hyam, Bidwell, Maatsen, Allen, Hamer, O’Hare, Gyökeres, Godden
Ones to watch
After scoring a brace and registering an assist against Blackpool, Brennan Johnson became the first player under the age of 21 to reach 20 goal involvements (13G, 7A) across the English, German, Spanish, Portuguese and French leagues.
The Swedish striker has equalised for Coventry with three of his previous four Championship goals, and did so the last time these two sides met.
Previous meetings
Forest picked up just one point across their first seven Championship matches this season, beginning with a 2-1 loss to Coventry on the opening matchday. Lyle Taylor’s first half goal was cancelled out by Viktor Gyökeres in the 81st minute. Coventry then followed up with a 96th minute winner courtesy of Kyle McFadzean, which kick-started Forest’s worst start to a season for 108 years.
How to watch
The match is on Wednesday, April 6, and will kick off at 19:45 BST. Coverage of the game will be available on Sky Sports Football Red Button.