Nottingham Forest host Wolves at the City Ground in what will be a crucial game in their bid for Premier League survival.

Nottingham Forest host Wolves at the City Ground in what will be a crucial game in their bid for Premier League survival.

Date: 13/04/24

Kick-off time: 15:00

Venue: City Ground

Following a four-point deduction, Nottingham Forest have been left in a precarious position just outside the relegation zone. They currently occupy 17th place, and are just above Luton Town on goal difference with six games to go. Three points seem like a must, especially with the Hatters facing a trip to Man City this weekend. Any opportunities to create some breathing room must be taken. A defeat would make the final few weeks of the season even nervier.

Wolves are comfortably in mid-table, but could still threaten a European place. They are 11th right now, but are only six points behind seventh place West Ham, whilst having a game in hand. There are a host of teams above them which means victory will be important in order to keep pace and not lose any ground. Any dropped points would leave them facing an uphill battle with little time remaining.

Goals may be hard to come by for the visitors, as Forest have not conceded more than one goal in a game in five of their last six. The visitors have been boosted by the recent return of Matheus Cunha who has scored nine goals this season. He has made two substitute appearances, but will give his side a much needed attacking threat. Nuno Espirito Santo will lean on the services of top scorer Chris Wood, who has netted 12 times. This includes four in his last four games, and he will be hoping to add to this tally against a defence which has not kept a clean sheet in five games.

These two teams have met five times since 2021, two of which came in the League Cup and the other three being Premier League matches. Wolves have just edged it with two wins to one, and two draws. There have been three consecutive 1-1 draws, including the reverse fixture earlier this season at Molineux. Forest took the lead though Harry Toffolo after just 14 minutes, but this was cancelled out by Cunha before half-time.

Nottingham Forest

Taiwo Awoniyi is out, but the hope is that he will return before the end of the season. Nuno Tavares is nearing a return, but this game should come too soon for him.

Wolves

Pedro Neto is out long-term, but Hwang Hee-Chan could be set for a return after an extended period on the sidelines. This game may come too soon for Jean-Ricner Bellegarde.

Nottingham Forest

In their last five games, Nottingham Forest have won one, lost two and drawn two. It has been a difficult stretch for Forest who are fighting near the bottom of the table. Their most recent game was a trip to Tottenham, in which they lost 3-1. Chris Wood cancelled out an own goal, but Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro secured the win for Spurs in the second half.

This followed their only win in this run, as they beat Fulham 3-1 at home. They took an early lead through Callum Hudson-Odoi, and this was doubled shortly after by Wood. Their command on the game grew, as they took a 3-0 advantage into half-time as Morgan Gibbs-White struck. Tosin Adarabioyo pulled one back shortly after the restart to threaten a comeback, but that was as good as it got for Fulham.

It was a good response to some dropped points against Crystal Palace at the City Ground. The visitors went ahead through Jean-Philippe Mateta, but this was cancelled out in the second half by Wood. This was the second 1-1 draw in a row, after recording the same result against Luton. This time they took the lead first, with Wood scoring once more. It was late disappointment though, as Luke Berry scored an 89th minute equaliser for the hosts. The first game of this run was a narrow 1-0 defeat at Brighton. The hosts enjoyed more possession, but it was an own goal from Andrew Omobamidele which secured all three points for the Seagulls.

Wolves

In their last five games, Wolves have won one, drawn one and lost three. It has been a difficult stretch for Wolves, with wins hard to come by. The only victory came at the beginning of this run, when they beat Fulham 2-1 at home. All the goals came in the second half, with Rayan Ait-Nouri and a Tom Cairney own goal putting them two up. Alex Iwobi scored a very late consolation.

They were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup by their rivals Coventry in dramatic fashion at Molineux, losing 3-2. Ellis Simms opened the scoring for the visitors in the 53rd minute, and the next goal did not come until the 83rd, when Ait-Nouri equalised. Hugo Bueno put Wolves ahead with two minutes to go, but two goals from Simms and Haji Wright in the seventh and 10th minute of stoppage time swung it back in Coventry’s favour.

This preceded another derby as they travelled to face Aston Villa. Once again they lost, as goals from Moussa Diaby and Ezri Konsa either side of half-time condemned Wolves to a 2-0 defeat. More dropped points followed, as they drew 1-1 at Burnley. The hosts took the lead through Jacob Bruun Larsen, but this was cancelled out just before the break by Ait-Nouri. Their most recent game was a home fixture against West Ham, which they lost 2-1. Pabla Sarabia broke the deadlock from the spot, but the Hammers turned it around in 12 second half minutes through Lucas Paqueta and James Ward-Prowse. Wolves were denied an equaliser in the 99th minute as Max Kilman’s leveller was controversially ruled out.

This is a must win for Forest, but we expect there to be nothing to split the teams. Both teams should score, but the points will be shared – Nottingham Forest 1-1 Wolves

Nottingham Forest vs Wolves will not be available to watch on TV in the UK.