Preview: Nottingham Forest vs. Luton Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Two sides with their eyes on the top half of the Championship face off at the City Ground on Tuesday evening as Nottingham Forest host Luton Town.

Forest drew 1-1 with Derby County last time out and are one point behind Luton, who beat Sheffield Wednesday 3-2 on Saturday.

Match preview

© Reuters

Forest's relegation fears have been eased in recent weeks thanks to a run of three games without defeat.

That includes back-to-back wins against Blackburn Rovers and Rotherham United without conceding prior to their draw with Derby.

The Reds were on course for a third victory on the spin thanks to James Garner 's first goal in senior football, but East Midlands rivals Derby equalised late on to snatch a point.

Chris Hughton admitted his side's profligacy in front of goal ultimately cost them at Pride Park, but the draw does at least leave them 11 points above the relegation zone.

Indeed, Forest will now be looking up the division rather than down, with the gap on the top half standing at just three points ahead of this visit of Luton.

© Reuters

The Hatters are two places better off than their opponents following their comeback win at Wednesday - a game in which they trailed by two goals at half time before hitting back.

Boss Nathan Jones made a triple substitution at the break and it paid off as Kal Naismith, Ryan Tunnicliffe and Elijah Adebayo struck to earn a 3-2 win at Hillsborough.

That was Luton's first win in four league matches, having previously drawn with Millwall after losing against Cardiff City and Stoke City.

Jones will now be looking to build some momentum, though Luton have lost nine of their 16 away games this term, which is the sixth worst record in the second tier.

Forest, though, have won just five of their 16 homes matches, which again ranks them among the worst teams in the division.

Nottingham Forest Championship form: WDLWWD

Luton Town Championship form: DWLLDW

Team News

© Reuters

Ryan Yates missed the Derby match with a minor calf injury, but Hughton is hopeful the midfielder will be back available for the visit of Luton.

However, striker Lewis Grabban is still struggling with a hamstring injury and has yet to return to training, meaning that he will again play no part.

Sammy Ameobi was back among the subs last time out and could be in Hughton's thoughts for a starting spot on Tuesday, while Tyler Blackett is another pushing for a recall.

As for the visitors, Jones must surely be tempted to stick with the side that started the second half against Wednesday.

Glen Rea, Harry Cornick and Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu were all brought on at half time and inspired Town's comeback win in Yorkshire.

Adebayo has two goals and an assist in four games since joining Luton from Walsall in the January window and is expected to lead the line again here.

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:

Samba; Christie, Worrall, Figueiredo, Bong; Garner, Cafu; Knockaert, Krovinovic, Freeman; Murray

Luton Town possible starting lineup:

Sluga; Pearson, Cranie, Potts; Clark, Tunnicliffe, Mpanzu, Dewsbury-Hall, Naismith, Cornick; Adebayo

We say: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Luton Town

The reverse meeting finished 1-1 in October and there has been very little between the sides all season, highlighted by the one-point gap between them heading into this match.

Forest have a pretty poor home record and Luton struggle for wins on their travels, so we are tipping this contest to finish all square.

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.