Bristol City v Nottingham Forest preview
Friday 15 December 2017 14:02, UK
Bristol City are hopeful Korey Smith will be available for Nottingham Forest's visit in the Sky Bet Championship.
Smith left Bramall Lane on crutches last week after a 2-1 win at Sheffield United, but the Robins hope the midfielder suffered no more than a nasty gash and some bone bruising.
Boss Lee Johnson has to assess his striker options with Famara Diedhiou (knee) and Milan Djuric (groin) ruled out and Matty Taylor is in contention to make his first start for a month. City are still without Callum O'Dowda (ankle), Eros Pisano (hamstring), Jens Hegeler (knee) and Gary O'Neil (knee).
Forest boss Mark Warburton will assess the fitness of Danny Fox and Chris Cohen ahead of the game. Fox is close to returning to action after suffering a knee injury.
Club captain Cohen, who hasn't played since August, is also closing in on a return to action following inflammation in both his knees. Defender Jack Hobbs has suffered a setback in training as he recovers from a back injury.
Opta stats
The Robins have won five of their last seven Championship encounters with Forest (L2).
Nottingham Forest have lost each of their last three visits to Ashton Gate having lost none of their previous 14 in all competitions.
Bristol City defender Aden Flint has scored 31 goals in his last four seasons in league competition and has more Championship goals this term than any other defender (6).
Indeed, Flint's six goals have won the Robins nine points in the Championship this season - only Albert Adomah (11) and Billy Sharp (12) have won more points for their sides.
Nottingham Forest haven't drawn any of their last 28 league games, winning 13 and losing 15. Their last stalemate came back in April versus Preston.
The Tricky Trees have conceded eight goals in the opening 15 minutes of Championship matches this season, the joint worst tally in the division along with Birmingham.
Prutton's prediction
What a fantastic run of form Bristol City have been on. This time last year they'd just started slipping badly down the table after a good start and fans were getting on Lee Johnson's back, but that's all changed completely.
The pressure will always be on at Nottingham Forest because they're such a massive club, but it shouldn't be forgotten that they survived relegation by the absolute skin of their teeth last season, and mid-table would suit Mark Warburton and Co fine. The Robins are flying though and this is a home win for me.
David Prutton predicts: 2-1 (7/1 with Sky Bet)
