Nottingham Forest vs Middlesbrough; Sky Bet Championship
Nottingham Forest vs Middlesbrough. Sky Bet Championship.
The City GroundAttendance27,653.
Nottingham Forest 3
- J Lolley (39th minute pen, 85th minute)
- G Milosevic (64th minute)
Middlesbrough 0
Nottingham Forest vs Middlesbrough preview
Sunday 21 April 2019 14:31, UK
Nottingham Forest boss Martin O'Neill will be forced to make changes for his side's Easter Monday clash with Middlesbrough.
Forest are without Yohan Benalouane after his red card in the 2-0 defeat at Sheffield United, while Jack Colback also misses out after picking up his 15th booking at Bramall Lane.
Jack Robinson and Ben Osborn are vying to replace Colback at left-back, while Alexander Milosevic and Lewis Grabban are pushing to return. Full-back Tendayi Darikwa could also come into consideration after missing four games with a hamstring strain.
Boro boss Tony Pulis has reported no new injuries after his side climbed back into the top six by beating Stoke on Saturday. But Pulis is still without key defenders, as George Friend (thigh), Dael Fry (hamstring), and Daniel Ayala (knee) have all been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Northern Ireland defender Paddy McNair looks set to continue after making his first start since Boxing Day against Stoke, while Stewart Downing, Marcus Tavernier, and Jordan Hugill are pushing for recalls. Defenders Djed Spence and Nathan Wood are hoping to make their league debuts after being called on to the bench at the weekend.
Opta stats
Nottingham Forest haven't completed a league double over Middlesbrough since the 1992-93 Premier League season under manager Brian Clough.
Middlesbrough have won one of their last eight away league visits to Nottingham Forest (W1 D2 L5), a 2-1 win in September 2015.
Nottingham Forest have only lost one of their last 32 home league matches on Easter Monday (W17 D14 L1), losing 2-3 against Walsall in April 2002.
Middlesbrough haven't faced Nottingham Forest on Easter Monday in a league match since April 1923, winning 4-0 at Ayresome Park.
Martin O'Neill is winless in all three of his previous English league matches on Easter Monday (W0 D2 L1), losing 0-4 in his last such match against Everton in April 2012.
Middlesbrough striker Rudy Gestede has scored seven goals in just nine league appearances against Nottingham Forest, though only one of those strikes have come at the City Ground.
Prutton's prediction
David Prutton predicts: 0-1 (13/2)
