Nottingham Forest host Watford on Wednesday night with Dougie Freedman keen to bring an end of a run of four games without a win that has threatened to derail the progress made since his arrival at the City Ground.
Watford travel to the East Midlands with automatic promotion firmly in the sights and the Hornets will believe that only three points will do if they are to keep pace with both Bournemouth and Norwich City.
Nottingham Forest
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After winning seven of his first 10 games in charge of Nottingham Forest, Freedman could have been forgiven for thinking that he was starting to get the best of a squad who had performed inconsistently under Stuart Pearce.
However, four games without success, including three defeats, has told the Scot that he has plenty of work ahead of him if he is to put together a promotion-winning squad ahead of the start of next season.
Forest's recent results won't stop the club's hierarchy allowing Freedman to pen a permanent deal, but the former Bolton Wanderers chief will be aware that he needs a positive end to the campaign to build momentum ahead of next year.
A loss away at Norwich City was perhaps to be expected, but blowing a two-goal lead in the final 10 minutes against Brentford and suffering a 1-0 defeat at home to Huddersfield Town wasn't, and several members of the first-team squad are now playing for their future at the City Ground.
Freedman will be hoping for more from Arsenal loanee Chuba Akpom, who is still awaiting his first goal since joining until the end of the season, while lingering injuries appear to be hindering the performances of winger Michail Antonio.
Forest have conceded eight goals in their last four games, but ahead of the visit of Watford, the onus will be on discovering an extra cutting edge in the final third against one of the most impressive sides in the division.
Recent form: DWLLDL
Watford
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Watford have occupied every position in the top half of the table since the start of August, but after impressing since the turn of the year, only automatic promotion will be considered acceptable from the final four games of the season.
The Hornets have the back-up of effectively being assured of a playoff place, but given their favourable run-in, they will have high expectations of finishing in the top two.
Back in October, the appointment of Slavisa Jokanovic was questioned, but the Serbian has put together a well-oiled outfit who have proven hard to beat in recent months.
10 victories have been recorded into 14 matches, and although home defeats to Norwich City and Ipswich Town could prove costly, confidence is high at Vicarage Road with their attack arguably the most threatening in the league.
Troy Deeney has 20 Championship goals to his name with Odion Ighalo one behind with 19, and with Matej Vydra netting three in as many games, Jokanovic's side go into every match with the firepower to out-score their opponents.
The serious knee injury to Joel Ekstrand has left them a little bit light at the back, but if they can keep their front three fit and firing, they have every chance of ending the season with maximum points.
Recent form: WWLDWW
Team News
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Freedman may decide to hand a rest to Antonio, with Chris Burke in contention to come in for the former Sheffield Wednesday winger.
There could be a further change in the midfield, with Ben Osborn potentially earning a start in favour of David Vaughan.
As for Watford, Vydra is expected to get the nod ahead of Ighalo, while Marco Motta could remain on the substitutes' bench after returning from suspension last weekend.
Winger Ikechi Anya should start, despite being withdrawn after setting up two goals at Millwall.
Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Darlow, Lichaj, Hobbs, Wilson, Fox, Mancienne, Burke, Lansbury, Osborn, Burke, Akpom
Watford possible starting lineup:
Gomes, Connolly, Angella, Hoban, Paredes, Watson, Tozser, Guedioura, Anya, Vydra, Deeney
Head To Head
In the previous 37 matches between the two teams, it's Forest who have the slight edge, winning 13 times in comparison to 10 victories for Watford.
They have also had the advantage in the most recent meetings, but five of the last 10 fixtures have ended in a draw, while Watford haven't emerged victorious since January 2013.
When the teams last met in October, a second-half strike from Antonio earned Forest a 2-2 draw at Vicarage Road, but that proved to be their sixth game without a win.
We say: Nottingham Forest 1-3 Watford
Nottingham Forest need an improved performance to satisfy the home support, but Watford will be a constant threat on the break and if they can find an early goal, it could be a long evening for the East Midlands club.
Darren Plant
