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

Nottingham Forest play host to Swansea City on Sunday afternoon on the back of recording two successive defeats in the Championship.

Meanwhile, Swansea make the long trip to the City Ground having won just one of their last four matches, leaving the club four points adrift of leaders Norwich City.

Match preview

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When Chris Hughton replaced Sabri Lamouchi earlier in the season, Nottingham Forest fans would have been optimistic about an immediate upturn in results.

However, while 12 points from nine matches is a respectable return, Hughton and the club's fanbase would have expected more from his opening seven weeks in charge.

Forest had been heading in the right direction before the international break, but defeats at Barnsley and Bournemouth have put a negative spin on the progression of Hughton's side.

On a positive note, Forest still sit three points above the relegation zone ahead of back-to-back home fixtures, which represent an opportunity to make progress up the standings.

That will only be achieved if Lyle Taylor receives a helping hand in attack with the summer arrival still the only player to score more than once in the league.

Swansea are still searching for a solution to their own issues in front of goal, but the work of their backline has kept the club in the playoffs since the start of the season.

While only Middlesbrough possess a better defensive record after 13 matches, Swansea find themselves in joint-ninth in the standings for the final third.

Steve Cooper will have few complaints while the Welsh outfit remain in the top six, but Andre Ayew has now scored 40% of the club's strikes.

The most recent of his six efforts came against Sheffield Wednesday in midweek, helping the Swans claim a share of the spoils against their lowly opponents.

Nottingham Forest Championship form: DLWWLL

Swansea City Championship form: WWDLWD

Team News

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Ayew is expected to be handed a recall to the side after proving his fitness off the substitutes' bench in midweek.

Chelsea loanee Marc Guehi remains a doubt after missing the fixture with the Owls through injury.

Hughton could hand a start to Anthony Knockaert, potentially as a replacement for Harry Arter.

With Joe Worrall, Tyler Blackett and Lewis Grabban still out of contention, the remainder of the Forest XI could stay the same.

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup: Samba; Christie, McKenna, Figueiredo, Ribeiro; Lolley, Yates, Colback, Ameobi; Knockaert; Taylor

Swansea City possible starting lineup: Woodman; Naughton, Bennett, Cabango; Roberts, Smith, Grimes, Bidwell; Dhanda; Ayew, Lowe

We say: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Swansea City

Given their respective records in the final third, we do not expect many goals at the City Ground. That is something which may play into Forest's favour, and the East Midlands outfit could do enough to claim a share of the spoils in a low-scoring match.

Top betting tip