Nottingham Forest host Reading desperate to end poor run

Nottingham Forest will hope to break from the shackles of poor form as Reading travel to the City Ground.

Sabri Lamouchi’s side suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season on Wednesday night, falling to a 2-1 home defeat to Hull City after losing at Wigan Athletic last weekend; however, they will feel that the visit of 20th-placed Reading could be no better opportunity to allow them to break their losing run.

Matty Cash scored Forest’s only goal of the evening as the hosts proved unable to salvage a point even after Josh Magennis was sent-off for the visitors.

Reading, meanwhile, came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with QPR on Tuesday night. The shared point came three days after claiming their first victory in six games by defeating Preston 1-0.

Goals from George Puscas and Sam Baldock rescued Mark Bowen’s side at Loftus Road, pushing the Royals two points clear of the drop zone.

Team news

Michael Dawson is unlikely to feature again but is moving closer to making a return.

Samba Sow and Alfa Semedo also remain sidelined.

Reading’s Charlie Adam and Yakou Meite missed the Royals’ midweek draw with QPR and will face a fight to be fit for Saturday.

Striker Sam Baldock is likely to retain his place in the starting eleven.

Lucas Boye and Lucas Joao remain sidelined with long-term injuries.

From the dug-outs

Nottingham Forest boss Lamouchi said:

“I am positive because, despite the two bad results, I think we can play much better than we have done and we probably deserve more points.

“I trust in my players and we are lucky to play the next game at home.

“Our fans are very important for us; after the last game I was like the players, a bit disappointed for many reasons but especially because there were a lot of fans there, during the week with Champions League football on TV and they were there to support us.

“I hope it will be the same tomorrow, with a different result at the end of course.”

On the upcoming trip to the City Ground, Royals boss Bowen added: “It doesn’t get any easier – but that’s why we’re here.

“This is the brutality of this league; no hiding place and no rest-up.

“You have to wipe yourselves down and go again, and I know these guys will do.

“We can take enormous confidence from the last two games into our trip this weekend.

“We’ll recover after QPR, as you have to in this league, and we’ll be ready for Nottingham Forest on Saturday.”

Head-to-head

Reading took all three points from last season’s meeting with Forest at the Madejski Stadium; however, the Reds will take promise from the fact they are unbeaten against the Royals at the City Ground in their previous five clashes (W4 D1).