Preview: Nottingham Forest vs. Bristol City - prediction, team news, lineups

Nottingham Forest welcome Bristol City to the City Ground on Saturday afternoon still looking for their first goal or point in the Championship this season.

In sharp contrast, Bristol City have recorded three successive victories, as well as keeping clean sheets in their most recent two outings.

Match preview

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Ahead of the beginning of the season, more people were tipping Forest to challenge for a playoff spot than a Bristol City outfit who were under new management.

However, the tide has changed at both clubs, with Forest already at risk of having a mountain to climb in order to compete for promotion to the Premier League.

The disappointment of losing their top-six spot against all the odds back in July is continuing to hinder Sabri Lamouchi and his side, who are showing no signs of getting back on track.

Scott McKenna and Harry Arter joining from Aberdeen and Bournemouth respectively should eventually help the East Midlands outfit, but Forest can ill-afford to remain on their current path.

To some degree, the pressure is off this weekend with Bristol City having prevailed in meetings against Coventry City, Stoke City and Sheffield Wednesday.

Question marks were raised when Dean Holden was handed the reins over some big-name candidates, but Lee Johnson 's former assistant has proven his critics wrong thus far.

A trend has emerged where Bristol City are scoring many of their goals in the final 10 minutes of games, a sign that their fitness and game management has been far better than their opponents.

Should that continue over the coming weeks and months, there is every chance that the Robins can become a force throughout this season, rather than just in fits and starts like they were under Johnson.

Nottingham Forest Championship form: LLL

Nottingham Forest form (all competitions): LLLL

Bristol City Championship form: WWW

Bristol City form (all competitions): WWWWLW

Team News

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Lewis Grabban will expect to be handed a recall to the Forest XI after Lyle Taylor failed to take his chance in the team versus Huddersfield.

Joe Lolley could also be drafted back into the side as Lamouchi searches for ways to finally get on the scoresheet.

Barring any late fitness issues, Holden is likely to name the same lineup which began the win over Sheffield Wednesday.

Max O'Leary will remain on the substitutes' bench, despite penning a new deal earlier this week, while key defender Tomas Kalas is still sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:

Samba; Christie, Soh, McKenna, Blackett; Sow, Colback, Arter; Lolley, Grabban, Ameobi

Bristol City possible starting lineup:

Bentley; Vyner, Moore, Mawson; Hunt, Paterson, Bakinson, Weimann, Rowe; Wells, Martin

We say: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Bristol City

Lamouchi knows that he is fighting for his job at the City Ground, and that may lead to his players responding to a team talk which he knows could make or break his prospects going forward. However, Bristol City have been efficient this season, and we expect more of the same from the Robins at the weekend.

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