PREVIEW: Postecoglu’s Nottingham Forest aim to return to winning ways against high-flying Sunderland | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest are set to host Sunderland in a clash which could be an early indicator for how two of this season’s surprise packages will fare.

It’s been a busy few weeks for Nottingham Forest since their defeat to West Ham. They have changed managers, bowed out of the cup to the most dramatic of finishes against Swansea City and played their first game in a European competition since 1996.

Among all this drama is an indifferent start to the Postecoglou era; the stark change in tactics hasn’t failed Forest like some pundits predicted. However, they are yet to win under the Aussie and face another stern test this weekend as they welcome high-flying Sunderland.

Le Bris’ side underwent a wealth of changes throughout the summer, with more than 11 players coming through the door among other coaching staff changes. This new-look side has taken to life in the Premier League rather well, unbeaten at home and with only one defeat in their first five games. Confidence is high at the Stadium of Light.

Forest were held to a 1-1 draw against newly promoted Burnley at Turf Moor, but they might consider themselves unlucky to not come away with all three points after a mistake from Oleksandr Zinchenko led Jaidon Anthony to score the equaliser.

Sunderland also drew 1-1 at home against Aston Villa, however the Black Cats might take more confidence from their game. Reduced to ten men after a moment of madness from full back Reinildo, Le Bris’ side showed grit and determination to muster a comeback after a Matty Cash strike left them with it all to do in the final 20 minutes. Wilson Isidor netted his third goal of the season to level the tie.

Fitness news

Forest have suffered from a wealth of fresh injuries since Postecoglou took charge. Full back Ola Aina remains sidelined with a hamstring injury and defender Murillo has missed the last three games with an ankle injury. He’s due to be assessed before the weekend.

Midfielder Douglas Luiz has emerged as a doubt after he was taken off as Forest drew 2-2 at Real Betis in midweek due to a slight issue with his hamstring.

Should he be absent, it will cause some headaches for Postecoglou as he will have to adapt his usual midfield picks to accommodate any injuries.

Regis Le Bris will be without two first team starters for his sides trip to the City Ground. Habib Diarra is confirmed to have undergone surgery and isn’t expected to return to the fold until December. Meanwhile full-back Reinildo will begin his three match suspension for violent conduct in the Black Cats’ previous match.

With last season’s hero Dan Ballard back to full fitness, it remains uncertain whether the French manager will rotate his centre back pairing of Omar Alderete and Nordi Mukiele. All three have been instrumental in Sunderland’s good start to the season.

Predicted lineups

NFO: Sels; Williams, Milenković, Murillo, Zinchenko; Sangaré, Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood

SUN: Roefs; Hume, Alderete, Mukiele, Masuaku; Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fée; Talbi, Adingra, Isidor

Where to watch

Nottingham Forest vs Sunderland kicks off at 17:30 BST on Saturday at the City Ground and will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK.