Nottingham Forest welcome Leeds United to the City Ground later on today and the eagerly anticipated contest represents a clash between two clubs who are firmly on the up.
Forest have been boosted by a new hierarchy in the boardroom at the football club, whilst boss Mark Warburton has worked tirelessly to strengthen a squad that was in desperate need of some renovation.
Today’s visitors to the East Midlands have also welcomed a takeover from fresh investment and new manager Thomas Christiansen has adapted quickly to the demands of the Championship.
Forest have won five games out of six in all competitions and they go in to today’s game full of confidence, fresh from knocking out Premier League outfit Newcastle United in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.
Whatever the outcome, the punters here in the Football Transfer Tavern look set to be treated to an enthralling game of football at the City Ground this evening, whilst the landlord hopes that such a high profile game can bolster his profits on the bar!
Tavern regular Lee Clarke looks at three things we should look out for in tonight’s televised Championship contest.
New Signings
Forest were bolstered this week with the arrival of midfielder Liam Bridcutt, who ironically joined from Leeds United, and he is set to be thrown straight into action for the Reds this evening.
The ex-Chelsea prospect was Forest’s seventh summer signing and the Reds are starting to work well together as a team.
Leeds lost influential talisman Chris Wood to Burnley last week and they have moved quickly to replace him in the form of Jay-Roy Grot who signed from NEC Breda.
The 19-year-old might not feature from the start this evening but he should certainly make the squad.
A Feast of Flowing Football
Both Forest and Leeds have drawn plaudits from neutrals in the Tavern so far this season, with both teams displaying some scintillating attacking football at times.
It will be very interesting to see just what happens when two sides who play very similar football lock horns later on today and whoever does come away with the points could lay down a marker for the rest of the campaign.
Both sides are pretty easy on the eye in terms of the football they try to play and Mark Warburton and Thomas Christansen will be looking for more of the same today.
Barrie McKay
The Forest summer signing was snared from Rangers for a paltry fee of £500k and after just four games of the regular campaign that already looks like an absolute steal.
McKay netted his second goal of the season against Middlesbrough last week and his ability to play in any of the attacking positions means he is a constant menace for opposing defences.
McKay is already one of Forest’s key performers and it seems to be the case that when 22-year-old is in the mood then the rest of the Championship had better watch out.
Nottingham Forest and Leeds United supporters? What do you think will happen in today’s game? Who will you be backing to be the match winner? Let us know in the comments below!!!
