Nottingham Forest is on a five-match unbeaten run and facing Sunderland, who are struggling this season. Key players like Morgan Gibbs-White have found form, but injuries may impact their performance.
Key points
Nottingham Forest is on a five-match unbeaten run.
Morgan Gibbs-White has scored 12 league goals this season.
Nottingham Forest reached the Europa League semi-finals.
Injuries to key players may affect their performance against Sunderland.
Tactically, Forest is expected to use a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Nottingham ForestSunderland
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Burnley at City Ground on April 19, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) | Getty Images
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Burnley at City Ground on April 19, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) | Getty Images
**Nottingham Forest started the season with Nuno Espirito Santo in charge after a European finish last season. What were the key factors behind his dismissal?**
By all reports he fell out with Edu, the groupās Global Head of Football (big title I know) and it got to the point where one had to go and unfortunately it was Nuno, which was a real shame after the season before. He was critical of the summer transfer business, or at least the timing of it, as well so his exit was inevitable.
**Next came Europa League winner Ange Postecoglou, which always felt like it would be a difficult transition mid-season. Was it a case he tried to change too much too soon?**
Initially, he did yes but the whole thing just unravelled so quickly and the last couple of games he was a bit more defensive.
Overall, it was a disastrous appointment though. He came in and looked totally drained by the Spurs sacking. He needed to take a much longer break by his own admission. His football is so intricate that you canāt appoint him mid-season.
**After that,** **Sean Dyche came in, but he also struggled to generate form. What would you say went wrong for the ex-Burnley boss?**
Thereās a lot of debate about him, but I would say his downfall was terrible football and terrible performances in some games ( home and away, Braga home, away, Villa away to name a few) and interviews which really wound people up.
Q&A
What is Nottingham Forest's current form ahead of the match against Sunderland?
Nottingham Forest is currently on a five-match unbeaten run in the league.
Who are the standout players for Nottingham Forest this season?
Morgan Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson, and Neco Williams have been the standout players for Nottingham Forest this season.
What tactical formation is Nottingham Forest likely to use against Sunderland?
Nottingham Forest is most likely to use a 4-2-3-1 formation in the match against Sunderland.
How have injuries affected Nottingham Forest's performance this season?
Injuries to players like Murillo and Callum Hudson-Odoi have impacted Nottingham Forest's performance, although they have still shown improvement.
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Heās good at deflecting blame. He did get points though, whatever people say.
**The man who appears to have changed Forestās fortunes is ex-Wolves boss Vitor Pereira. What has he done differently?**
Got the players enjoying their football and the fans enjoying watching their team primarily.
Heās been a real unifying force as well. Tactically, heās made good subs and always looks to change games positively.
**In the league, Forest are on a five-match unbeaten run. Are Sunderland facing them at the worst time?**
Weāre certainly in our best form of the season, although itās been a bad season.
Weāre on a good run and some players have really found form like Gibbs-White. We do have injuries though to Murillo and Callum Hudson-Odoi, so while weāre better, weāre not the team we were last season.
**Also in Europe, Forest have reached the Europa League semi-finals. Although it may have been a hindrance to your league form, Iām certain itās worth the memories made and the prospect of a final?**
If we can stay up as well, it is. I donāt think itās been a hindrance.
Weāve actually had good results after European games. One reason though is that weāve rotated a lot in Europe and not really been able to attack it fully, so itās really good weāve got this far to be fair.
**Which Forest players would you say have impressed you most this season?**
For sure, thereās three that stand out. Elliot Anderson dominates the stats in so many midfield metrics, not just in the Premier League but in Europe. Morgan Gibbs-White has 12 league goals and has been excellent since Dyche left. The other one would be Neco Williams, as heās incredibly consistent.
**If you were Regis Le Bris, how would you set up to exploit Forestās weaknesses?**
I think weāre still vulnerable from dead balls and long throws.
Weāre actually pretty tight in open play. Iām not sure Jair Cunha is a weakness as Murilloās cover, but I would get Brobbey to test him.
**How do you think Pereira will approach the match tactically?**
Most likely 4-2-3-1, but one of the wingers will be Gibbs-White or Dominguez, if not both, so we have every presence in the middle of the pitch.
I donāt think weāll be too attacking in the first half. Weāre very patient on the ball. Too patient really, especially in the attacking third, but weāve been good of late.
**Are any players missing and what do you think the starting XI will be?**
Murillo and Hudson-Odoi are missing, so I would sayā¦ Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Sangare, Anderson; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Dominguez, Wood.
**Sunderland won 1-0 in the reverse fixture. What is your score prediction for this time around?**
Iām expecting a tight game, so Iāll say 1-1.