NOTTINGHAM FOREST vs NORWICH CITY
Football : England : NPower Championship 2010/11
Venue: City Ground
Saturday, 28th August 2010, Kickoff 3pm

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Last time the two teams met at the City Ground, Norwitch remarkably won but ended up having a relegation season.

For the time being both sides are out of the cup (Carling Cup), Forest hasn't won yet this season and Norwich has done well since the shock opening day defeat to Watford (2-3).

The odds? Tempting on the away side but personally I'm not convinced they can escape with a win from the City Ground.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Forest's only injury concern captain Paul McKenna, who has made progress with his slight hamstring strain. But, with a two-week international break on the horizon, Forest may choose not to risk the midfielder tomorrow.

Chris Gunter serves the second of his three-match ban and David McGoldrick (shoulder) remains the only long-term injury problem.

Billy Davies hopes Forest will notch their first win on Saturday:

"I always say that every game is difficult and we will give Norwich every respect.But, as long as we can produce the same level of form, we have seen in recent weeks, I have absolutely no doubt that the first win is just around the corner.It is coming on the horizon, if we can continue to play to the same levels. That is the key."

NORWICH CITY

Norwich have injury problems in defence, with manager Paul Lambert signing West Brom's Leon Barnett yesterday to offer cover.

Michael Nelson is out "for quite a long time" with damage to his ankle ligaments, picked up during Norwich's home win over Swansea in the Championship last weekend.

Lambert made seven changes as Norwich lost 3-1 against Blackburn in the Carling Cup in midweek.

But, with Zak Whitbread also out with a calf problem, it leaves Lambert with just two fit central defenders – Jens Berthel Askou and Elliott Ward.

HEAD TO HEAD

League
Nottingham Forest: 24 wins
Norwich City: 21 wins
Draws: 15

The last meeting at the City Ground though saw Norwich run out 2 - 1 winners, thanks to a own goal from Chris Cohen putting through his own net for the Canaries winner.

Forest has not lost a league game at the City Ground since way back in September 2009 while Norwich has only lost once on a Saturday since February of 2010,of course they have lost several games within that time, but all of their defeats have come in midweek games.

ANALYSIS

The name of the game is winning, and Forest hasn't had a win in the three first games of the season plus another six from preseason and the Carling cup game.

There is a certain frustration at the club because there has been no new signings this season. Plus the fact that not much help is coming from the bench and Billy Davies is struggling to build the squad with what he has available. But in my opinion the team needs a refreshing with new signings, something that will change the whole atmosphere at the club and benefit with results on the field.

But every test in the Championship is a tough one, either having had signings or not. And Forest over the last few games have played very positive. They have had some very difficult away matches with Burnley and Reading and performed brilliantly.

At Reading last weekend, Forest were thwarted by a remarkable performance from keeper Adam Federici, who made breathtaking saves to deny Robert Earnshaw and Paul Anderson. I expect at some point Forest with the chances they create in all matches to start putting the ball in the net more often.

At the same time its strange that Nottingham Forest have conceded few goals in defense, as I would expect Forest to had let in more with the doggy defense they have showed up til now after the three first games of the season. With no original right full back, and with Morgan and Willson not performing their best, goalkeeper Lee Camp gets all the pressure under the post.

At midfield McKenna looks a bit out of form and carrying a few injuries from last season, plus Majewski not performing the same as last season, adds up to the fact that forwarders Earnshaw, Blackstock and Tyson have to chase long balls near the corner line since midfield dont pass the ball in advance possision for them.

Now Norwich, they are on a two match winning streak in the league and looking fresh, but they will be coming in this match with some defense absents and it looks like they wont cope too easy with strikers like Earnshaw and Blackstock.

On the other hand forward Holt (had a small spell with Forest) looks to be a brilliant player, but still has to prove that he is up for it in Championship level. But it won't surprise me to see him score on Saturday.

I expect this match to be a a tough challenge for both sides. Forest are in a very dire state at the moment but due to how they have played the three first games of the season they deserved to have at least five or six points and not two.

So Forest have to get their first win sooner or later, and I think this match will prove they are up for their first win of the season. I expect goals coming from both sides, so both teams scoring looks like a good bet.

THE BETTING VERDICT

I have the confidence Forest will notch their first win of the season comfortably, I’m on a 3-1 win to Nottingham Forest.

The Pick :

Nottingham Forest 3-1 Norwich City

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Nottingham Forest to win

Or consider an Over 2.5 Goals bet