Swansea returned from the Midlands midweek with a hard fought point but will be hoping for all three against Forest tomorrow
Three minutes into the second half at Pride Park on Tuesday, the Swans looked all but set to be handed their seventh away defeat of the season after Chris Porter took full advantage of a mistake by Ashley Williams to send the Rams into a 2-0 lead. However Swansea refused to give up and despite the dominance of Nigel Clough's side the Liberty Stadium outfit showed a resolve and character to fight back and secured a valuable point with goals from Spanish duo Angel Rangel and Gorka Pintado stunning the Pride Park faithful.
With a play-off berth in sight, there will be no doubt that Roberto Martinez will approach this game like every other but with Forest just 3 points off the drop zone it will not be an easy game. Buoyed by a 2-1 win over promotion contenders Preston North End on Tuesday, Nottingham Forest will confident of overcoming Swansea and in some part seek revenge for the 3-1 loss sustained against the Swans way back in August.
Injury Lists:
Nottingham: The Reds will be without former Swan Nathan Tyson who is out with a groin injury. Defender Wes Morgan is set to serve a one match ban but will be replaced by Ian Breckin.
Davis is also expected to hand Birmingham loanee Gary McSheffrey his Nottingham Forest début against Swansea.
Swansea: After the surprise returns of midfield duo Joe Allen and Darren Pratley against Derby midweek Swansea's injury woes have eased. However captain Garry Monk is struggling to face the City Ground side with the same back problem that saw the former Southampton man leave the field in the first half of the 1-1 draw against Charlton Athletic last Saturday.
Marcos Painter and Ferrie Bodde continue their roads to recovery but Painter is hoping to be back in contention before the season concludes.
Players To Watch:
Gary McSheffrey: Finding opportunities limited at St Andrews after recovering from long term injury, the Coventry born winger signed on loan this week from Birmingham City. With a good touch and an eye for goal Swansea will have to be wary of the threat posed by the former Luton Town man.
Rob Earnshaw: As ostentatious as his goal celebrations, the Welsh international has proved to be a hit with the forest faithful and with 14 goals this term in all competitions the Swansea back four will have to be alert to deal with the tricky striker.
Paul Anderson: Some may say the Liverpool youngster chose money over ambition after snubbing Swansea for the Midlands club inthe summer. However there can be no doubt that the 20 year old has talent and after his successful loan spell last season in South Wales, his former team-mates certainly will not be taking his pace on the flank and ability to beat his marker at will lightly. It has not been all plain sailing for the Leicester born winger in Nottingham and has had to overcome a few injury woes but should the Swans not be alert he will punish those mistakes.
Gorka Pintado: Bulldozing his way back into the fray, the Spaniard rescued a point at Derby County midweek and in the process scored his fourth goal of the season. It has been a less than successful start to the San Sebastian born striker's career in British football after making his move from Segunda División B outfit Granada CF in the summer. In part his lack of progress has been down to a persistent hernia problem to which Pintado underwent pioneering key hole surgery in Germany to rectify. Now the 30 year old is fully fit for the first time in Swansea colours, fans should see the best of the Striker and he will prove to be a handful with his pace and could forge a formidable partnership with top scorer and in form Jason Scotland.
Darren Pratley: If Ferrie Bodde is Swansea's midfield maestro, Pratley is certainly the engine of the Swans midfield. After making a shock return from a shoulder injury that was due to keep the former Fulham man out of action until April, there can be no doubt that the midfielder's presence and work rate, steady nerve, good distribution and ability to break down opposition attacks will be a vital assets in the coming months.
Form Book based on the last five results:
Nottingham Forest: LLLWW
Swansea City: LWLDD
Man in the middle/ men on the lines:
Referee: Mr.J. Moss
Assistant Officials: C Dunn and C N Harwood
Fourth Official:S J Rushton
Planet Swans Prediction: Nottingham Forest 0-0 Swansea City
Predictions made by members of Planet Swans in the prediction league.