Preview: Nottingham Forest vs. Blackburn Rovers

Two playoff-chasing sides will go head-to-head on Saturday as Nottingham Forest host Blackburn Rovers at the City Ground.

Forest will go into the game full of confidence on the back of a nine-match unbeaten streak that has included victories over the likes of Queens Park Rangers, Leeds United and West Ham United.

That profitable spell has lifted them up to fifth in the Championship table, although their playoff position is by no means safe with a number of teams in hot pursuit.

Billy Davies has only seen his side lose twice at home all season, and their last three games in front of their own fans have resulted in victories, the most recent of which was the memorable 5-0 thrashing of West Ham in the FA Cup.

Forest will have to make do without Nathaniel Chalobah after the youngster returned to parent club Chelsea before joining Middlesbrough, while they are also missing Kelvin Wilson and Chris Cohen through injury.

Blackburn could join Forest in the top six should results go their way on Saturday, but Gary Bowyer will have to pick his side up after a 5-0 mauling at the hands of Manchester City in the FA Cup on Wednesday.

Rovers are in better form in the league, with just one defeat in their last seven matches leaving them eighth in the table.

They trail sixth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion by two points, while Forest are just out of their range this week with a gap of four points separating the two sides.

Bowyer's men have won their last two on the road, suggesting an improvement in form on their travels after they picked up just one victory in their first 10 away matches in the league this season.

Leon Best is the only injury doubt for the visitors ahead of the match, with Jordan Rhodes and Rudy Gestede expected to return up front having been left out of the side against City.

Recent form

Nottm Forest: DWWDWD

Blackburn: DLWDWL

Possible starting lineups

Nottm Forest: Darlow; Jara, Harding, Lascelles, Lichaj; Lansbury, Reid, Mackie, Abdoun, Paterson; Henderson

Blackburn: Robinson; Henley, Hanley, Dann, Spurr; Williamson, Lowe, Cairney, Marshall; Gestede, Rhodes

Sports Mole says: 2-1