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Championship

Jan 31, 2015 at 3pm UK

Nott'm Forest Nottingham Forest
0-1
Millwall

FT(HT: 0-0)

Fuller (83')

Preview: Nottingham Forest vs. Millwall

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 29 January 2015

Sports Mole looks ahead to Saturday's Championship meeting between out-of-form duo Nottingham Forest and Millwall at the City Ground.

Two of the Championship's out-of-form sides will look to grab three much-needed points when Nottingham Forest host Millwall at the City Ground on Saturday.

The visitors are arguably most in need of the victory having picked up a league-low one point from their last six outings, with that coming courtesy of a goalless draw with Reading on Tuesday.

The result did little to help their relegation fears, however, as they remain five points adrift of safety and without a win in eight matches in all competitions.

Indeed, they have only won one of their last 15 outings, a dire run of form made even worse by heavy defeats at the hands of Middlesbrough, Norwich City and League One Bradford City.

The Lions have only scored three goals in their last six league matches, while only fellow strugglers Rotherham United have found the back of the net fewer times on their travels.

They have, in fact, picked up just two fewer points on the road than they've managed at The Den this season, but they go into this weekend's match having lost three away games in a row - including their last two to Blackpool and Bradford respectively.

Jos Hooiveld made his debut against Reading and is expected to start in central defence again, but he will need a new partner following Sid Nelson's red card in that match.

Byron Webster could be the man to come in, while Paris Cowan-Hall, who came on as a sub against the Royals, is pushing for his full debut.

While their plight is not quite as worrying as Millwall's, Forest are also in the midst of a dreadful run of form that continues to do damage to their fading playoff hopes with each passing week.

Victory over rivals Derby County was a rare high point in recent weeks for Stuart Pearce, but they were unable to build on that when they fell to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Fulham four days later.

That makes it five losses in their last six games and only one win in their last 10, leaving them in the top half of the table on goal difference alone.

Forest have only won once in front of their own fans since September, and their last two outings at the City Ground have brought defeats to Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday respectively, both by a two-goal margin.

They have also lost their last two home meetings against Millwall, although the reverse fixture earlier this season ended in a stalemate at The Den.

Henri Lansbury scored twice in the defeat to Fulham last Wednesday and is expected to keep his place in the side, while there could be a recall for Matty Fryatt after he returned to training earlier this week.

However, Chris Cohen and Andy Reid remain long-term absentees, while the match will also come too soon for Dexter Blackstock and Michael Mancienne.

Nottingham Forest:

Form in Championship: DLLLWL
Form in all competitions: LLLLWL

Possible starting lineup: De Vries; Kane, Wilson, Hobbs, Lichaj; Tesche, Osborn, Lansbury, Gardner, Antonio; Assombalonga

Millwall:

Form in Championship: LLLLLD
Form in all competitions: LDLLLD

Possible starting lineup: Forde; Cummings, Hooiveld, Webster, Harding; Fabbrini, Abdou, Williams, Cowan-Hall; Maierhofer, Gregory

Sports Mole says: 2-0