Nottingham Forest host Rotherham United at the City Ground on Saturday, with both sides looking to recover from slow starts to the new season.
Forest and Rotherham lost at home on the opening day, although the visitors progressed to the second round of the League Cup in midweek with a win over Cambridge United.
Nottingham Forest
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Forest have been beaten in their first two games of the new season, and manager Dougie Freedman will be looking to get a win on the board as soon as possible.
The Reds began their league programme away at Brighton & Hove Albion last Friday but were beaten 1-0 thanks to a goal from Kazenga LuaLua. Freedman's men had a few moments of promise at the Amex, but in truth it was a disappointing performance, particularly in attack.
Forest had no problems finding the net in the League Cup in midweek, but they had more trouble keeping the ball out of their own as Walsall emerged 4-3 winners from their first-round clash at the City Ground.
The League One side were leading 3-1 with nine minutes remaining, but two moments of individual skill from Michail Antonio looked to have forced the match into extra time. It was Walsall who found the winning goal, though, as Tom Bradshaw completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the fifth minute of injury.
It has been a disruptive week for Freedman, with Antonio and fellow midfielder Henri Lansbury being the subject of transfer speculation, but Forest have reiterated that they will not sell their prized assets.
Forest, who remain under a transfer embargo, are still looking to strengthen their squad. Lille striker Michael Frey has been linked with a move to Nottingham, while former Queens Park Rangers man Joey Barton has also been touted as a potential signing.
The pressure has begun to mount on Freedman slightly, as the Brighton defeat meant that Forest have not won any of their last 10 Championship matches under him.
Recent form: L
Recent form (all competitions): LL
Rotherham United
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Steve Evans will be looking for a response from his players after they were stunned by MK Dons on the opening day of the season.
The Millers never got going last Saturday as the newly-promoted side cruised to a 4-1 win at the New York Stadium, which led the manager to bemoan his team's poor defending.
Rotherham were much improved on Wednesday evening against Cambridge, although they sneaked their way through to the next round thanks to a solitary goal from Jordan Bowery.
Evans will be pleased that his back four kept a clean sheet after their capitulation against the Dons, but they still have to prove that they can shut out sides in their own division and, given the individuals that Forest have in attack, the Millers' backline will be tested this weekend.
The Rotherham boss has said this week that he is determined to bring more players in before the transfer window shuts on September 1. He has added 12 new faces over the summer, including a whole new defence, but the Scot wants at least one or two more.
Two of his summer recruits - Danny Collins and Greg Halford - both came in from Forest and they will be making a swift return to their former club this weekend.
Recent form: L
Recent form (all competitions): LW
Team News
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Antonio and Lansbury remain Forest players despite the transfer rumours, and they will both start against Rotherham.
Freedman will be without injured midfielder Robert Tesche, who suffered a broken metatarsal against Brighton, so David Vaughan could start in his place. Freedman could be tempted to play Lansbury slightly deeper and use Chris Burke in a central role behind the striker.
Matt Mills and Jack Hobbs are expected to remain as the centre-backs, although the Reds are still waiting on international clearance for new left-back Daniel Pinillos, so Danny Fox could start there.
Young striker Tyler Walker impressed as he netted against Walsall in midweek, although he might have to settle for a place on the bench, with Dexter Blackstock leading the line.
Rotherham will be able to hand a Championship debut to defender Lewis Buxton, who played 76 minutes of the League Cup tie against Cambridge.
Evans could alter his formation and bring Bowery into the side after his winning goal in midweek, which could see new midfielder Aiden White dropping to the bench.
Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
De Vries; Lichaj, Mills, Hobbs, Fox; Ward, Vaughan, Lansbury, Burke, Antonio; Blackstock
Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Roos; Halford, Collins, Thorpe, Newell; Maguire, Frecklington, Smallwood, Ledesma; Bowery, Derbyshire
Head To Head
Nottingham Forest have the superior record between the sides from their 31 meetings. The Reds have won 16 times, Rotherham six and there have been nine draws.
Rotherham's last win against Forest came almost 60 years ago back in 1956. Since then they have gone 18 games without a victory against this weekend's opponents.
Forest won the last meeting at the City Ground in March, as goals from Antonio and Blackstock gave them a 2-0 success. The return meeting at the New York Stadium in the December of last year ended in a goalless draw.
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We say: Forest 2-0 Rotherham
Forest may have had their struggles of late, but on paper they have a far stronger side than Rotherham and should be capable of picking up a victory here.
Evans's side will go to the City Ground with the intention of frustrating their hosts, but Forest have enough individual quality to score goals and secure the win.
Steven Toplis
