Two Premier League teams wey dey find how dem go bounce back go winning ways go jam for City Ground on Saturday evening as Nottingham Forest go host Sunderland.
This na the first time wey both clubs go meet for top-flight since the 1996-97 season, that time Sunderland knack Forest 4-1 for City Ground before dem later play 1-1 draw for Stadium of Light.
How Nottingham Forest dey look
Since dem sack Nuno Espirito Santo just under three weeks ago, Nottingham Forest never smell win for their first four games under new coach Ange Postecoglou. The appointment still dey divide fans – some dey happy, some still dey doubt am.
Forest don lose back-to-back against Arsenal (3-0) and Swansea City (3-2) for Carabao Cup, before two straight draws follow – 1-1 against Burnley for Premier League and 2-2 against Real Betis for Europa League on Wednesday.
For that Betis game, new signing Igor Jesus score brace wey give Forest 2-1 lead, but Antony score late equaliser wey spoil Forest return to Europe after 30 years.
Postecoglou na the first permanent Forest coach since Billy Walker for 1946 wey no fit win him first four games. But the Greek-Australian coach still dey talk say “plenty dey positive, wins go soon come.”
Forest form for City Ground no dey too ginger again. Dem don lose 4 of their last 6 home league matches (W1 D1), including 3-0 to West Ham. That na the same number of defeats wey dem collect for their 20 home games before that run (W10 D6).
How Sunderland dey look
As one of the newly promoted sides, Sunderland don start the season sharp pass Leeds (7 points) and Burnley (4 points). The Black Cats don gather 8 points from their first 5 league games.
Le Bris men dey on 3-game unbeaten run – 2-1 win over Brentford, then two back-to-back 1-1 draws against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.
For the Villa game, Sunderland play one man down for over an hour after Reinildo collect red card, but Wilson Isidor still show up to score equaliser – him third goal of the season.
That run make Sunderland sit 7th for table, just two points from second place. One funny stat be say dem never score for first half this season – na only Liverpool (7) don score more second-half goals pass Sunderland (6).
Sunderland dey enter this game with confidence, as dem don win 5 of their last 7 league meetings with Forest (L2). The last league clash na 1-0 Championship win for December 2017.
Recent Form
Nottingham Forest Premier League form: W D L L D
Nottingham Forest all competitions: D L L L D D
Sunderland Premier League form: W L W D D
Sunderland all competitions: W L L W D D
Team News
For Forest, Douglas Luiz don injure hamstring for midweek Betis game and go miss this one. Morgan Gibbs-White fit drop go midfield to partner Ibrahim Sangare and Elliot Anderson. Ola Aina still dey out with hamstring issue, while Murillo (ankle) dey race against time to return.
Igor Jesus dey push for him first Premier League start after brace midweek, but Chris Wood don start every league game this season even though him never score in 4 games.
For Sunderland, Habib Diarra don undergo groin surgery and no go play till December. Romaine Mundle (hamstring), Dennis Cirkin (wrist), Aji Alese (shoulder) and Leo Hjelde (Achilles) still dey out. But Luke O’Nien (shoulder) don return.
Reinildo dey serve 3-game ban after red card, so Arthur Masuaku go likely start for left-back. Le Bris still dey consider whether Daniel Ballard go return or if him go continue with Alderete and Mukiele as centre-backs. Mukiele fit also shift go right-back ahead of Trai Hume.
For midfield, either Chris Rigg or Enzo Le Fee go partner Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki. If Le Fee no start for midfield, him go fit push go attack join Simon Adingra, Chemsdine Talbi and Isidor.
Nottingham Forest possible lineup:
Sels; Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Zinchenko; Sangare, Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
Sunderland possible lineup:
Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Masuaku; Rigg, Xhaka, Sadiki; Talbi, Isidor, Le Fee
Prediction
Forest dey under pressure make dem get result for Postecoglou first home league game, but Sunderland don show say dem fit hold their own against bigger teams.
We expect tight match wey go end level:
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Sunderland
