COVENTRY CITY (away) 09.02.2010

Coventry host high-flying Nottingham Forest at the Ricoh Arena on Tuesday evening with the visitors hoping to secure their first 'double' of the season. The Sky Blues' are 7 points adrift of a play-off spot but will take heart from the way they battled at the City Ground at the end of 2009. Forest rean out 2-0 winners that day, but were made to work for the entire 90 minutes against a spirited and sometimes physical Cov side.

Team news; Forest- Raddy Majewski was left out of the line-up against Sheffield Wednesday after boss Billy Davies revealed a lack of contract negotiations has affected the midfielders mind-set. It remains to be seen if the Polish star will be back into the starting XI or not. Davies may also use the amount of games as an opportunity to rotate some players. David McGoldrick and Dele Adebola may earn a recall, whilst Lewis McGugan admitted last week his frustration through a lack of games. Despite a demanding game against Wednesday, the Davies appears to have a clean bill of health to select his squad once again.

Coventry; Centre-half Ben Turner is doubtful with an ankle injury, whilst midfielder Isaac Osbourne is out for the rest of the campaign after knee surgery. The midfielder is the brother of former Forest loanee Isaiah, now at Middlesbrough. Defenders Marcus Hall, a 1-time Forest player (and only 1 time), and Jordan Clarke are also both out through injury knocks. Former Forest target Freddie Eastwood has been in and out the first team, and has not yet hit the form that made him such an hot property at Southend United.

Sky Blues last game; Bristol City (A) D 1-1; Westwood, Wright, McPake, Wood, Cranie, Bell, Clingan, Gunnarsson, McIndoe, Morrison, Eastwood. Sub used; Baker.

STATS: Manager; Chris Coleman (Wales) Appointed; 19/02/2008. P100 W29 D32 L39.

Current position; 15th. P29 W8 D10 L11 F33 A41 PTS 34. (home W5 D6 L3)

Form; DDDLWL  (17th in Form guide, 6 pts),

Goals; 35 (33 lge + 2 cup); Best 10 (9+1 cup), Morrsion 9, Eastwood 6, Clingan 4, Wood 2, Bell 2 (1+1), .

Yellow cards; 43 (Wright 7). Red cards 2 (Wright/Clarke). Clean sheets:6 Failed to score;11 (inc 1 cup). 0-0's;3.  Most assits; McIndoe/Best 4.

Average attendance; 17,430. Capacity; 32,609. Highest; 22,209 v Leicester

Head-to-head; Coventry wins;17.  Forest wins; 42. Draws; 28. *despite Forest's superior record against Coventry, it was back in 1991/92 when the Reds last recorded a league double, winning 2-0 at Highfield Road after earlier recording a 1-0 win at Forest.

Referee; Tony Bates (staffordshire) 09/10; games 20. yellow cards 52. red cards 1. *reffed the Forest 2-4 Watford game earlier this campaign (2 yellow cards)

Its a fact...Opened in 2005, The Ricoh Arena has never sold out for a league fixture. With a capacity of over 32,500, the Sky Blues highest ever league attendance is just 27,992 against rivals Wolves. And only once (against Chelsea in the FA Cup) has the stadium been full to capacity for a Coventry match.

PL's punt... A well earned, if slightly dissapointing point from a hard fought 1-1 draw. Anderson back in the starting line-up and back with a goal.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY (home) 06.02.2010

Nottingham Forest will be striving to hit winning ways once more after suffering a rare defeat - at the hands of rivals Derby County. Sheffield Wednesday travel to Trentside, after re-discovering their winning ability, notching 4 wins in 5 since Alan Irvine took charge at Hillsborough. However, the Owls' have failed to keep a clean sheet in 12, and Forest have proved sharp-shooters recently at The City Ground.

Team news: Forest; Billy Davies' failed to add any signings before the transfer deadline, and with Nicky Shorey moving elsewhere, James Perch looks to have a run in the side at left-back. Despite the poor showing at Pride Park, Davies is not expected to make wholesale changes. Guy Moussi may find his way back into the team. Wes Morgan seems to have recovered from an injury scare after coming through the Derby game unscathed.

Wednesday: Defender Lewis Buxton is out after suffering a hamstring problem. American defender Frank Simek looks set to deputise. Former Arsenal youngster Simek has started just 9 league games over the past 2 seasons. Forward Akpo Sodje has joined Charlton for the remainder of the campaign. Forgotten man Francis Jeffers is a doubt after picking up an injury in a midweek reserve game. The 29-year-old has started just 1 game this season, and has scored only 16 league goals over NINE seasons. On-loan Derby man Luke Varney has looked sharp since Alan Irvine took charge and may be one for the Reds to watch.

Owls' last game; Plymouth (H) W 2-1 [Varney 24,42]; Grant, Buxton, Purse, Beevers, Spurr, Soares, Potter, O'Connor, Gray, Tudgay, Varney. Subs used; Simek, Sodje.

The Owls; 3 to watch out for: 7. Marcus Tudgay (age 27) Striker. 09/10 lge: app 25(1). Goals 8. Yellow cards 2. Assists 7. *has scored 46 goals for the club over 5 seasons.

17. James O'Connor (age 30). Midfield. 09/10 App; 26. Goals 2. Yellow cards 4. Assists 1.

1. Lee Grant (age 27). Goalkeeper. 09/10 App; 28. Clean sheets 4.

STATS: Manager; Alan Irvine (Scotland)  Appointed; 08/01/2010 (P5 W4 L1)

Current position; 19th; P28 W8 D7 L13 F33 A45 PTS 31 (away W3 D4 L7)

Form; WLWWWD (form guide; joint top with Forest, 13 points)

Goals: 37 (33 lge + 4 cup): Tudgay 8. Johnson 6 (4+2cup), Varney 6, Clarke 3, Esajas 3 (2+1cup). Gray/ Wood/ O'Connor - 2.

Yellow cards: 40 (Buxton/ O'Connor 5). Red cards 1 (Jeffers). Clean sheets: 5 (inc 1 cup) Failed to score: 11 (inc 1 cup). 0-0's: 2. Most assists: Tudgay 8 (inc 1 cup).

Average attendance; 22,268. Capacity; 39,812 (56% full). High; 30,644 v Barnsley.

Head-to-head: Forest wins 48, Wednesday 55. Draws 26. *The Owls have won 3 of their last 6 visits to The City Ground.

Referee: Trevor Kettle (Rutland) 09/10; games 21. Yellow cards 65. Red cards 0. *The last Forest game he officiated was back in December 2004 when Sunderland won 2-1 at The City Ground in a Championship fixture (8 yellows, 1 red- Robertson).

It's a fact.. The Wednesday (as they were originally known) are the 5th oldest English League Club. Their nickname; 'The Owls', originates from Owlerton - where their first ground was built, adjacent to their current Hillsborough home. Before that, they were known as 'The Blades' (as were all Sheffield clubs at the time).

PL's punt... Forest to get back to winning ways, but it won't be easy. 2-0 to the Reds, Cohen to net first.

DERBY COUNTY (away) 30.01.2010

Nottingham Forest travel to Pride Park aiming to record the club's first ever win at Pride Park - at the 7th attempt. A huge 23 points seperate the teams and with The Reds unbeaten in 19 league games and without defeat in all 13 away games so far this campaign, a Forest victory is what many are predicting. However, Nigel Clough's Rams side have been able to pull off unexpected results, like an unlikely draw at Newcastle and a much deserved 2-2 at home to West Brom. Derby's home record has been quite competitive too, winning 6 and losing 6.

Team news; Reds; Forest appear to be sweating on the fitness of influential defender Wes Morgan, however the Reds have had a tendancy to rule players out of fixtures only to see them included - usually in the starting XI! Julian Bennett though will not be included. Nicky Shorey has gone back to Aston Villa and looks unlikely to return, just yet, therefore James Perch, praised by Billy Davies in mid-week, should continue at left-back. The likes of Anderson, McKenna, Blackstock, Earnshaw and Cohen would be expected to retain their places. Raddy Majewski who scored a screamer against the Rams back in August, may make way, with possibly Guy Moussi to step up, adding his power, strength and ball-winning ability into the middle. Savage v The Mousse?? Robert Earnshaw hit double figures for the season after adding 2 more against QPR and will be aiming to continue his terrific strike rate since re-appearing in the starting XI late last year - against his former side.

Rams; Miles Addison, Lee Croft, Dean Leacock and Lee Hendrie all look to be out through injury. DJ Campbell and Lee Johnson play the last game of their emergency loans. Rob Hulse should start up front, with Campbell, Chris Porter and Steven Davies all vying to partner the target man. 'Forest' man Kris Commons is also in contention for a start after being left out of the side in recent weeks. The 26-year-old has started just 5 games in the Championship this season. Exeter-born Dean Moxey will be hoping to reclaim his place after being dropped in mid-week. The former Exeter City defender has started 24 league games this season, aswell as serving a suspension. Forest fans likewise will be hoping he gets a recall...

Last game; Plymouth (a) L0-1. Bywater, Hunt, Buxton, Barker, McEveley (Commons), Green, Savage, Johnson (Moxey), Pearson, Hulse, Campbell (Davies).

STATS: Manager; Nigel Clough (England). Appointed 09/01/09; P55 W17 D12 L26.

Current position; 19th P27 W8 D5 L14 F28 A40 PTS29. (home W6 D1 L6 F19 A22)

League form: LWLDLL (form table 21st, 4pts. Forest 1st, 16pts - last 6 games)

Goals; 32 (28 league + 4 cup); Hulse 6, Teale 3 (2+1), Campbell 3, Addison/ Davies/ Commons/ Dickov/ Green/ McEveley - 2.  

Yellow cards; 44 (Connolly 6). Red cards; 2 (Moxey/ McEveley). Clean sheets; 9 (inc 1 cup). Failed to score; 12. 0-0's; 4.

Average attendance: 28,969. Capacity; 33,597. High; 33,010 v Peterborough.

Head-to-head:Derby wins 29, Forest 34, Draws 21. At Pride Park; Games 6;Derby wins 3, Draws 3. Derby goals: 10. Forest goals: 4.

Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire). 09/10 games: 23. Yellow cards; 57. Red cards; 5. *Reffed 2 Forest games last season; The 2-2 draw at Coventry in december 2008 (2 yellows), and the 1-0 win at Reading in february (3 yellows). Only showed 4 red cards in 36b games over the couse of las season.

It's a fact...Derby have used more players than any other side in the Championship (34) whilst Forest have used the least in the division (23). In fact(!) only League 1 side Huddersfield Town have used fewer players in all 4 divisions (21), whilst bottom of the football league  Darlington have used the most, with a whopping 50!

PL's punt: Anybody looking in from outside will say there can only be 1 winner - And i'll agree with that. 3-0 to The Reds. Earnshaw on the scoresheet, hat-trick maybe?

Come on Forest!

QPR midfielder Wayne Routledge has today joined Newcastle United for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old has penned a 3-year deal, and was expected to be in the QPR side to visit Nottingham Forest in the Championship this evening. A win will take Forest level top with Newcastle.

QPR (home) 26.01.2010

Nottingham Forest, unbeaten in the league in 4 months, will go joint top of the Championship should they overcome an indifferent QPR side who have managed just 1 win from their last 11 outings in all competitions. Current leaders Newcastle United host Crystal Palace 24 hours later. The Hoops, despite a poor recent run lie just 5 points off the play-offs in 11th position in the Coca Cola Football League Championship.

Team news; Forest; Full-back Nicky Shorey is suspended and therefore it would appear his loan-spell has come to an end, James Perch could deputise, although Chris Cohen and Luke Chambers are also in contention for that position. Guy Moussi may be recalled to the starting 11.Robert Earnshaw will be hoping to retain his place after making a surprise comeback against Reading. With the huge game at Derby County next up, Forest will be keen to avoid injuries whilst players will be aiming to cement a starting place for the weekend.

QPR: Nigel Quashie is in the Hoops squad after sealing a free transfer switch from West Ham. Matt Hill has signed on-loan from Wolves and is expected to slip straight into the leeking Hoop's backline. Striker Patrick Agyemang has joined Bristol City on loan. Midfielder Adel Taarabt is on-loan from Tottenham and has shown excellent spells of form, hitting 5 goals and playing a role in many others, but is often criticised for failing to pass the ball at the correct time. Hungarian Akos Buzsaky another fans favourite, is starting to show signs of his former form. The international had a spell at Porto before a move to England with Plymouth. Winger Wayne Routledge 25, previously cost Tottenham and Aston Villa over £1.25million has 15 career goals in 204 appearances and has 27 assists to his credit.

QPR last game; Blackpool (A) D2-2 [Taarabt pen, Connolly]. Ikeme, Connolly, Gorkss, Stewart, Hall, Routledge, Leigertwood, Faurlin, Taarabt, Agyemang, Buzsaky. Subs used; Ramage, German, Ephraim.

STATS: Caretaker manager; Mick Harford (England)   Appointed; 14/01/2010

09/10; Position 11th. P25 W8 D10 L7 F40 A38 PTS34. (away W4 D4 L5 F16 A20)

Current form; last 6 league; DLWDDL. (19th in form table, 6pts).

Goals; 50 (40 league + 10 cups); Simpson 10 (9+1), Buzsaky 8 (7+1), Routledge 6 (2+4), Taarabt 5, Leigertwood 4, Agyemang 3.

Yellow cards: 33 (Stewart 5). Red cards; 3 (Watson 2). Clean sheets; 4 (inc 1 cup). Failed to score; 5 (inc 1 cup). Most assists; Routledge 9. 0-0's; 0.

Average attendance; 13,409. Capacity 18,200 (74% full). Highest: 17,082 v Leicester.

Head-to-head: Forest wins 24, QPR 14, Draws 17. *QPR have never registered a win at Forest in 27 league and cup meetings at The City Ground.

Referee: Eddie Ilderton (Tyne & Wear) 09/10; games;22. Yellow cards 60. Red cards; 4. *last reffed a Forest game in September 2007 when the Reds beat Gillingham 4-0 at The City Ground in League 1.(0 yellows)

It's a fact... The Hoops have not registered a single 0-0 draw this season, in stark contrast to last seasons 11 goalless games. Also, Rangers have failed to keep a clean sheet for 16 games, a run stretching back to mid-october 2009.

PL's punt: An edgy Reds to run out 3-1 winners with Earnie opening the scoring.

Other championship fixtures; Barnsley v Leicester; Bristol C v Cardiff; Doncaster v M'Boro; Ipswich v WBA; Posh v Preston; Plymouth v Derby; Sheff Utd v Reading; Swansea v Coventry. Wednesday; Newcastle v Palace; Scunthorpe v Sheff Wed  

Nottingham Forest hoped to get back to winning ways after the previous weekend's disappointment with in form Sheffield Wednesday the visitors to the City Ground.

Somewhat surprisingly, Majewski and Anderson were dropped to the bench although with a hectic spell of games this month maybe the time was right to give one or two a break.

The match quickly developed into a scrap with both teams showing little in each others final third. The best chance during the early stages fell to the Owls Luke Varney who shot tamely at Camp from 12 yards.

Having not created anything of note the Reds were handed a stroke of luck around half way through the first half when Darren Purse was harshly adjudged to have handled a Blackstock shot. Blackstock himself converted the spot kick to open the scoring. Tyson’s shot from distance tested Lee Grant but a second goal before the break would have been extremely harsh on the away side.

The match didn’t really improve as a spectacle in the second half with Forest content to sit on their lead with the visitors huffing and puffing. However, the warning bells were sounded when Darren Potter’s deflected free kick cannoned back off the bar and away to safety. Despite this scare the Reds continued to sit back and were eventually punished when after some pin ball in the box the ball fell to Varney whose close range finish levelled the scores.

In fairness Wednesday looked more likely to steal the points as a shell shocked Forest failed to respond initially. However, after a clumsy challenge on Cohen the Reds midfielder curled an excellent free kick onto the head of Blackstock who finished at the second time of asking to give the home side what looked an unlikely second but decisive goal.

Three points were crucial after that first defeat in what seemed like ages last week but if the Reds are to continue to push Newcastle and West Brom they must improve markedly on this showing.

MOM: Blackstock

I'm getting a bit bored of telling you all just how good Forest are at the moment (not that you dont already know it). However, just to prove i'm not lying this is the Vital QPR take on Tuesday nights events at the City Ground:

Outclassed, Outbought, Outplayed, Outfought

Four simple words that describe why Forest are riding high near the Championship summit and Rangers will have to be contented with a mid-table finish.

The hosts signings have perfectly gelled into cohesive unit, while Rangers relied on waning individual talent in their attempt to grab a foothold.

The game was as good as over when Robert Earnshaw curled home an exquisite 19th minute free-kick before displaying his killer instinct to lash home when played through in expert fashion.

Earnshaw showed great selflessness to allow Dexter Blackstock to roll home a rather soft penalty against his former side for the third prior to half time.

Despite a brief flurry Rangers allowed Chris Cohen the space to send a venomous strike beyond Carl Ikeme before James Perch rounded off the scoring from close range and further compound the misery.

On a day when Rangers offloaded their playoff credentials for an undisclosed fee, the Trees were triumphant once more.

Five goals and Forest were worth every one, as isolated errors from all quarters contributed to Rangers downfall, as the host marched past the R's without breaking sweat.

Rangers meanwhile had a reality check in their bid to make the playoffs, with some soul-searching questions surely being asked of the players after a performance that lacked the grit, determination and class of their opponents today.

MOM: Majewski

Both Forest and Reading suffered contrasting fortunes in FA Cup replays during midweek as the sides locked horns at the City Ground on Saturday.

The Reds were pretty much back to full strength as they looked to bounce back from defeat at Birmingham whilst the Royals were hoping to take cup form into the league following a sensational win at Anfield on Wednesday.

Many (including myself) expect the Forest league bubble to burst at some point following a long unbeaten league run dating back to September. Surely the Reds are due a defeat at some point between now and May? Well quite frankly on this first half evidence where Reading had absolutely no answer to the pulsating Forest football it is hard to see how anybody in this division can touch Billy Davies team at the moment.

Time and time again in the opening period Forest cut through the Royals seemingly at will. The now inevitable early home goal at the City Ground arrived following a superb passing move which saw Earnshaw delightfully flick the ball into Cohen’s path before the midfielder advanced and squared the ball to Anderson who made no mistake from 8 yards.

Earnshaw himself had a good chance to increase his side’s lead only to volley straight at Adam Federici from close range when well placed but the striker was not to be denied a second time when slotting home from close range after excellent work by Majewski. Blackstock had the best of the rest of the chances before half time but when a third goal looked a certainty, the Reds striker dragged his shot wide.

After half time the away side improved vastly and Forest never really got going. The Reds defended relatively well but when the Royals did breach the home rearguard they were up against an inspired Camp whose two saves from new Royals signing Thorvaldsson were the highlight of the afternoon. Camp also excelled when Reading won a penalty which saw Shorey given his marching orders. However, you always fancy the Forest stopper in a spot kick situation and Camp came up trumps once again when pushing away Brian Howard’s effort.

Although not pretty, Forest saw out the game without too many problems and by the time Jimmy Kebe pulled one back with a close range header the 4 minutes additional time had elapsed.

MOM: Camp