Nottingham Forest vs Sunderland preview: Team news, likely line-ups, scoreline prediction
Sunderland travel to Nottingham Forest this weekend as the clubs meet in a competitive fixture for the first time since December 2017
Wilson Isidor’s late goal earned Sunderland a point against Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light last time out as he continues to provide a consistent goal threat in the Premier League.
A disappointing defeat at Burnley and a good point at Crystal Palace means Sunderland remain winless on the road but Forest’s poor run of form could be capitalised on.
Sunderland can match West Ham’s 2012 milestone with a win against Nottingham Forest by accruing 11 points through six games and continue the great start to the season the Black Cats have enjoyed.
Ange Postecoglou is winless in all competitions since taking over from Nuno Espirito Santo and Forest’s last win dates back to the opening day of the Premier League season.
Premier League Form Guide
Sunderland: WLWDD
Nottingham Forest: WDLLD
Team News
Regis Le Bris will be without Reinildo Mandava through suspension against Aston Villa, which could hand Arthur Masuaku his first start.
Daniel Ballard came on a sub against Aston Villa after his time out and could be set for more minutes this weekend.
Habib Diarra is ruled out for Sunderland but could be set to return sooner than expected after undergoing groin surgery, while Dennis Cirkin and Romaine Mundle are also set to miss the fixture, with the latter not too far away from making his return to action.
Aji Alese and Leo Hjelde are likely to also be spectators but Luke O’Nien is back in contention to be a feature of the matchday squad for the first time this season.
- Cirkin: Wrist
- Mundle: Hamstring
- Alese: Shoulder
- Hjelde: Achillies
- Diarra: Groin
As for the hosts, Ange Postecoglou confirmed Douglas Luiz suffered a hamstring issue against Real Betis, which led to him off being subbed at half-time.
Ola Aina continues his extended spell in the treatment room after he picked up a hamstring injury while on international duty with Nigeria.
Read More: Roy Keane picks out two Sunderland signings who have been game-changing for Regis Le Bris
Predicted lineups
Sunderland: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Masuaku, Xhaka, Rigg, Sadiki, Adingra, Talibi, Isidor
Nottingham Forest: Sels, Williams, Milenkovic, Morato, Zinchenko, Anderson, Sangare, Gibbs-White, Nddoye, Hudson-Odoi, Wood
Sunderland predicted XI vs Forest
Score prediction: Forest 1-2 Sunderland
Forest’s poor run and adaptation period to Postecoglou’s style of play represents a great chance for Sunderland to grab all three points on the road to add to the impressive home form.
The City Ground will be up for the occasion but an approach similar to what was shown away at Crystal Palace and there is every chance Sunderland could come away with all three points.
The head-to-head between these two sides is a mixed bag for both teams with the Black Cats just edging their opponents with 26 wins to Forest’s 23 and 12 draws making up the rest.
Regis Le Bris will be desperate to give the travelling fans something to take back to the North East and to prolong Postecoglou’s difficult start.
It’ll be a close affair with both sets of fans in good voice but Sunderland have the quality to get the job done.
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