Nottingham Forest secured a play-off place on Tuesday with a 1-0 away win against the champions elect, Fulham, but the Reds are now firmly on the hunt for an automatic promotion place. 

Forest are three points behind Bournemouth in second and are due to meet the Cherries next Tuesday, but a home tie against Swansea City comes first, a game that the Reds will need to win if they want to catch Bournemouth

Forest have gone six games unbeaten at home and have scored two or more goals in each of their nine home league games in 2022 so far while only conceding four. The Reds are the only Championship team yet to lose at home this year in the league.

Swansea may head to the City Ground believing they can break down the Forest defence as the Swans have scored 12 goals across their last four away games. 

Russell Martin’s team also boast an unbeaten run of their own having not lost in nine competitive Championship games. However, the Swans haven’t won in their last four outings and dropped a three-goal lead against Reading and Bournemouth

Swansea have failed to score by half-time in 15 of their 22 away league games this season and are also yet to beat a top six side on the road this season (D2, L3). 

Team news

Forest boss Steve Cooper says he has a triple injury doubt for this fixture with Sam Surridge (groin), Jack Colback (glute) and Philip Zinckernagel (ankle) picking up knocks against Fulham.

They are doubtful for the game,” Cooper said in his press conference. “We’ll have to see how they go, in terms of the weekend. It’s a little bit inconclusive at the moment.”

If the trio do miss out, it is likely that Colback will be replaced by Richie Laryea at left-back whilst Joe Lolley comes in for Zinckernagel and Xande Silva for Surridge. 

Steve Cooper also confirmed that Lewis Grabban will miss the rest of the season after receiving another injury last time out. 

“He won’t feature again this year, in terms of games we may or may not have to play,” said Cooper. “It’s looking at about a six to seven-week injury. Obviously we’re close to being a week into that now.”

Keinan Davis (hamstring) and Max Lowe (groin) remain out with injuries. 

Swansea have also been dealt an injury blow ahead of Saturday's game, with Ben Cabango suffering an ankle ligament injury during Tuesday’s 3-3 draw with Bournemouth

“Unfortunately, Ben is done for the season,” Swans boss Russell Martin told WalesOnline“He had a scan on Wednesday and it is not good news for us, or for Wales. He is out for the summer.

“He will be back with us for pre-season, although he might miss the first week or two. He will go to see a specialist on Tuesday.”

The centre-back’s absence will likely see Ryan Manning drop into the back three with Korey Smith returning to the XI further up the pitch. 

Predicted lineups 

Nottingham Forest: Samba, Worrall, Cook, McKenna, Spence, Garner, Yates, Laryea, Zinckernagel, Johnson, Surridge

Swansea City: Fisher, Latibeaudiere, Naughton, Manning, Christie, Downes, Grimes, Wolf, Piroe, Smith, Obafemi

Ones to watch

Brennan Johnson

The 20-year-old has been Forest’s talisman of late, registering eight goal involvements (G4, A4) across the last seven games, taking his total up to 25 for the season (G15, A10). 

The EFL Championship Young Player of the Season will need to be up for this fixture with Forest potentially missing various attacking options.  

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Michael Obafemi

The 21-year-old has scored five goals across Swansea’s last four away league matches and will be hoping to impress again during this fixture. 

The Southampton loanee now has 14 goal involvements this season (G11, A3) and will be looking to end the season strongly before he heads back to his parent club. 

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Previous meetings

Steve Cooper enjoyed a victorious return to his former club as Forest thrashed Swansea 4-1 courtesy of goals from Philip Zinckernagel, Lewis Grabban, Brennan Johnson and Cafu. 

Forest extended their unbeaten run to eight matches at the Swansea.com stadium as Swansea lost their third consecutive game for the first time since April 2021 - when Steve Cooper was in charge.  

How to watch

This match is on Saturday, April 30, and kicks off at 15:00 BST. This game is unavailable to watch in the UK and Ireland but can be live streamed via either club website for those abroad.

What the managers have said

Steve Cooper spoke to the local media ahead of this fixture, highlighting just how important the entire squad is and how much the City Ground plays a part in that togetherness. 

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He said: “It's a busy period and fatigue does build up but other teams have the same problem and you just have to manage it as best as you can and you have to focus on the lads that are available.

"The lads that came on at Fulham the other night contributed really well and that's what you want. We had a really good training session today and we have a hard-working, focused group and everyone is together.

"The City Ground is a special place on any given home game, regardless of whether it's the first or the last game of the season. It's a real coming together when we're at The City Ground and a sense of belonging which is great and we look forward to being back again this weekend.

"Game in, game out the atmosphere has been incredible and hopefully that will be the case again this weekend. We don't underestimate the honour that it is to play at home and Saturday will be no different. 

"Togetherness can only be a good thing, it's something you should never take for granted and has to be authentic. Our aim is to continue to build on that and the stronger relationship we can have with the supporters the better.

"We don't want to stand still with that, we've got to continue to play well and work hard and continue to be as together as we can. 

"This league throws up tough tests each and every week and Swansea will be no different."

Swansea boss Russell Martin spoke to the club’s media ahead of the game, talking through his side's form and just how much of a threat Forest are. 

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He said: “Going nine games unbeaten isn’t easy. We’ve had a few too many draws recently, but we’re learning a lot. It’s a brilliant challenge for the players.

“Saturday is our last away game, and we’d like to repay the fans. Our recent away form is among the best in the league, so we want to continue that. Let’s try and go there and finish in the proper way.

“They (Nottingham Forest) have a really strong squad, they’ve recruited well in January and I think Steve Cooper’s done a great job. They’ve been on an incredible run, and they possess a lot of threats. But I’m really looking forward to it.”

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