Nottingham Forest host Coventry City in Premier League clash

Nottingham Forest aim to build on the momentum of their first victory under Oliver Glasner when they host struggling Coventry City at the City Ground on Saturday. The match kicks off at 5.30pm BST and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK.

Glasner’s side secured a key 2-1 away win at Aston Villa last weekend, a result that lifted them to 12th in the Premier League table with five points from their opening five games. That victory, which featured goals from Liam Delap and Igor Jesus, ended a run of four matches without a win and provided a significant boost ahead of the international break.

Team news and predicted XI

Jair Cunha has returned to training after a hamstring concern kept him out of the trip to Villa Park and could be in contention for the weekend. Defender Nikola Milenkovic, however, remains sidelined with his own hamstring issue and will not feature. Long-term absentee Nicola Savona continues his recovery from a knee injury that was complicated by a recent setback.

With Cunha likely not to be risked from the start, the predicted Forest lineup sees Matz Sels in goal behind a back four of Ola Aina, Ousmane Diomande, Murillo and Daniel Munoz. James McAtee and Xaver Schlager are expected to anchor the midfield, with Neco Williams and Morgan Gibbs-White providing width. Igor Jesus is set to continue in the number 10 role behind striker Liam Delap, a position in which he has thrived since being introduced there regularly.

Opposition view

Coventry City arrive at the City Ground in desperate need of a result, having failed to earn a single point or score a goal in the Premier League this season. The newly-promoted side, which made 10 summer signings including Gustavo Hamer and Taiwo Awoniyi, is already facing serious relegation concerns. Awoniyi will be absent through suspension for this match.

Coventry fan and journalist Ed Stratton provided insight into their difficult start. "There is a lot of changes in the side this year for the Sky Blues; 10 incomings with the likes of Gustavo Hamer and Taiwo Awoniyi coming in, though he will be absent through suspension," Stratton said. He also highlighted a key weakness, noting, "Honestly, Coventry look weak from set pieces which is a big change from last season, where they looked really solid."

The visitors have shown variety in their team selections but struggle to convert chances and have defended poorly, particularly at corners. Their predicted XI features Rushworth in goal, with a defence of Latibeaudiere, Thomas, Pinnock and Dasilva. Grimes and Torp could sit in midfield behind an attacking line of Yirenkyi, Gboho, Cherif and Tchaouna.

Context and what's next

Forest’s recent form reads one win, two draws and two losses from their last five outings. They have scored four goals and conceded five so far this campaign, leaving them with a minus-one goal difference. The last meeting between these sides ended in a 1-0 defeat for Forest at home, with Jay Dasilva scoring for Coventry in the 55th minute back on 19 September.

A positive result would send Forest into the international break with renewed confidence. After the break, Glasner’s men face a trip to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace, who currently sit 17th in the table, on 11 October. Fans can check the full schedule on the club’s fixtures page and view the latest standings.

More detail at sports.yahoo.com