Ipswich vs Nottingham Forest: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest continue their hunt for Champions League qualification on Saturday afternoon when they visit struggling Ipswich Town in the Premier League.

The Tricky Trees took an enormous step towards finishing in the top four last weekend when they beat reigning champions Manchester City, moving them four points clear of Pep Guardiola's fifth-placed side. With just ten Premier League games remaining, Forest can't afford to take their foot off the gas.

Ipswich's survival bid took a blow last time out as they were narrowly beaten at Crystal Palace, leaving Kieran McKenna's men six points off safety and without victory in the league since the turn of the year. It looks increasingly likely that the Tractor Boys will be returning to the Championship come the end of the season.

Ipswich were able to match high-flying Forest during the FA Cup meeting between the sides just two weeks ago. They took the Midlands club to penalties but Jack Taylor missed the crucial spot kick as they were dumped out.

Here is 90min's guide to Saturday's crucial clash at both ends of the table.

Ipswich vs Nottingham Forest head-to-head record (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Ipswich vs Nottingham Forest on TV - UK & US

Ipswich team news

Julio Enciso returned from injury last time out / Malcolm Couzens/GettyImages

Ipswich were handed boosts last weekend as Julio Enciso, Omari Hutchinson and Kalvin Phillips all returned to the field, with the trio seemingly coming through the defeat at Selhurst Park unscathed.

However, McKenna is still without some important first-teamers, including forwards Chiedozie Ogbene, Wes Burns, Conor Chaplin and Sammie Szmodics.

Arijanet Muric is missing with a shoulder problem but Christian Walton returned to the bench last weekend and will be on standby should first-choice goalkeeper Alex Palmer pick up an injury.

Axel Tuanzebe is absent in defence with a hamstring injury sustained against Forest in the FA Cup fifth round.

Ipswich predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest

Ipswich predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Palmer; O'Shea, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis; Phillips, Cajuste; Philogene, Enciso, Hutchinson; Delap.

Nottingham Forest team news

Nuno Espirito Santo has an almost entirely fit squad / James Gill - Danehouse/GettyImages

Forest's lack of injuries will serve them well as they attempt to nail down a top four berth, with back-up goalkeeper Carlos Miguel the only absentee. The stopper has been injured since the FA Cup fourth round win against Exeter City.

Having performed impressively against Man City last Saturday, Forest appear unlikely to make any alterations for the trip to Portman Road.

Their rock solid defence will be called upon once more, while the likes of Chris Wood, Morgan Gibbs-White and last weekend's match-winner Callum Hudson-Odoi will be expected to carry the creative burden.

Nottingham Forest predicted lineup vs Ipswich (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood.

Ipswich vs Nottingham Forest score prediction

Only Southampton and Leicester City have scored fewer than Ipswich in the Premier League this season, while no side has kept more clean sheets than Forest (12) this term. They have shut out Man City and Arsenal in their last two and will expect to keep their weekend hosts at bay.

Espirito Santo's side have won all four of their clashes with the current bottom three this season and will fancy their chances of extending that winning streak at Portman Road - a venue at which Ipswich have lost their last four matches.