Key occasions
Read Louise Taylor’s preview
Team information
Sunderland make two adjustments, each in defence, to the aspect that misplaced 4-3 at Villa Park. Dan Ballard and Trai Hume change Luke O’Nien and Reinildo.
Forest usher in Jair Cunha and Igor Jesus for Murillo, who has a muscle harm, and Dilane Bakwa. Igor Jesus got here off the bench at half-time final weekend, with Forest dropping at dwelling to Burnley, and scored the ultimate aim of their 4-1 win. The man who scored the primary three, Morgan Gibbs-White, will roam from the left.
Sunderland (4-2-3-1) Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Hume; Xhaka, Sadiki; Rigg, Diarra, Le Fee; Brobbey.
Subs: Ellborg, Cirkin, Reinildo, Geertruida, O’Nien, Talbi, Mayenda, Isidor, H Jones.
Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1) Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Jair Cunha, Williams; Sangare, Anderson; Hutchinson, Igor Jesus, Gibbs-White; Wood.
Subs: Ortega, Morata, Awoniyi, Ndoye, Dominguez, Yates, McAtee, Netz, Bakwa.
Referee Darren England.
Preamble
Friday night time, who needs a battle? ? Not this peaceful Guardianista, that’s for certain, and never Nottingham Forest. They’re attempting to flee a relegation battle – and may go a great distance in direction of reaching that in the event that they win at Sunderland tonight.
Forest are sixteenth within the desk, 5 factors away from Tottenham with 5 video games remaining. This time final yr they have been fourth, however though the change in Forest’s league place has made issues much more sophisticated, their goal is actually the identical: to play Champions League and Premier League soccer subsequent season.
Forest play each legs of their humdinging Europa League semi-final towards Aston Villa within the subsequent fortnight. A optimistic outcome on the Stadium of Light would permit them to embrace that with out worrying about what’s over their shoulder.
At the beginning of the season, most individuals agreed that Forest’s opponents have been by no means going to be in a relegation battle come late April. That’s as a result of Sunderland have been speculated to be lengthy passed by now, with solely their parachute for firm,. An sometimes flat second half of the season shouldn’t obscure a exceptional first season again within the Premier League, the most effective by a promoted group up to now decade.
It’s not over but. Sunderland begin the sport in eleventh however will transfer as much as eighth – above Chelsea, the world membership champions – in the event that they win tonight. Who is aware of, this time subsequent yr they is perhaps in a European semi-final themselves.
Kick off 8pm BST.
