PREVIEW: Forest hope to move away from drop against Sunderland

The visitors are in the midst of a relegation battle and could extend their gap to the bottom three to eight points with a win. Nottingham Forest have hit form at the right time as they are five unbeaten in the premier league and seven in all competitions. Forest’s recent upturn in form may be down to impressive individual performances, some of which have come courtesy of Morgan Gibbs-White, who has more goals than any other Premier League player since the start of March, seven. After his hat-trick against Burnley in The Reds’ last match, he has become the highest scoring Englishman in the league this season.

With Wolves and Burnley’s relegations already confirmed this week, Forest will look to turn a three-way battle for survival into a straight shootout between West Ham and Tottenham, a win would keep both at bay with few games remaining. Tottenham having a favourable fixture away at already relegated Wolves this weekend, whilst the Hammers host Everton, a result for the visitors on Friday would pile further pressure on the sides beneath them going into their games the following day.

They will find themselves without Callum Hudson-Odoi, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season following an injury to his right quadricep during the Europa League game against Porto. The Reds may begin to rotate the side with an important Europa League fixture on the horizon. Forest will host fellow Premier League side Aston Villa in the first leg of their semi-final clash.

For Sunderland, there are no fresh injury concerns. Regis Le Bris has confirmed the fitness of Omar Alderete, and he should be involved on Friday evening. Alderete netted the only goal of the game in the reverse fixture all the way back in September.

The game will take place on Friday, 24th April at 8pm (UK time) and will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League.