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

Nottingham Forest welcome Huddersfield Town to the City Ground knowing that one more win will effectively secure their place in the Championship for another 12 months.

Meanwhile, the Terriers head into this contest on the back of five games without a win, leaving the 19th-placed outfit in a relegation battle with the teams below them.

Match preview

© Reuters

Having never recorded more than two successive league wins since his arrival, Chris Hughton has done well to ride out the possibility of an early departure at Forest.

With a four-game unbeaten run having been put together since March 20, the club's hierarchy appear to have made the correct decision in persisting with a man who has a proven track record with regards to promotion.

Providing that Forest do not lose each of their remaining five fixtures, they can look forward to an improved 2021-22 campaign with Hughton having a settled squad at his disposal.

However, a solution for the team's lack of goals will need to be found in the summer, particularly with just three of their last seven efforts coming from players contracted to the club in the long term.

The East Midlands outfit conclude the season with five favourable fixtures, leaving Hughton with every reason to believe that Forest can end a frustrating nine months on a high.

© Reuters

While the owners of Huddersfield have also needed to show patience with Carlos Corberan, it remains unclear whether they will be rewarded for not making a new appointment earlier in the year.

Since the start of 2021, the Yorkshire outfit have recorded just 13 points from 20 matches, their two victories coming as underdogs against Swansea City and Queens Park Rangers.

Although seven draws have kept the club above the relegation zone, Huddersfield will find themselves in further trouble after Rotherham United's fixture with Coventry City on Thursday night.

Huddersfield cannot afford to prolong their current 10-match streak without scoring more than one goal in a game, heaping the pressure on the team's forward line to make their first contribution since March 2.

Team News

© Reuters

Despite only claiming a goalless draw at Bristol City last weekend, Hughton could opt against making any changes to his Forest XI.

Although Lyle Taylor could be handed a recall in the final third, Lewis Grabban might be given another chance after previously starring against Queens Park Rangers.

Pipa is in line to return to the Huddersfield side at right wing-back in a move which could see Isaac Mbenza drop down to the substitutes' bench.

Richard Stearman may come in from the cold to replace Rarmani Edmonds-Green, while Danny Ward and Rolando Aarons are options in the final third.

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:

Samba; Christie, Worrall, McKenna, Blackett; Yates, Garner; Knockaert, Krovinovic, Mighten; Grabban

Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:

Schofield; Stearman, Keogh, Sarr; Pipa, Bacuna, Hogg, O'Brien, Rowe; Campbell, Holmes

We say: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Huddersfield Town

Every point counts for Huddersfield at this stage, a scenario which may leave them in two minds over whether to push for victory or settle for avoiding defeat. Nevertheless, we expect Forest to edge out their opponents, continuing a run which will only encourage supporters ahead of next season.