Nottingham Forest – Sunderland

Nottingham Forest host Sunderland in what promises to be a tightly contested fixture, with both sides locked in the lower half of the table. Forest sit 12th with five points from four games, their record balanced at one win, two draws and a loss while scoring four and conceding the same. Sunderland, three places below, have gathered four points after a win, a draw and two defeats, their goal difference skewed by a 3‑5 tally. The two clubs have yet to meet this season, and with Forest’s home advantage and a marginally better defensive record, they will be looking to edge the encounter and climb out of the relegation‑watch zone. Sunderland, meanwhile, will aim to overturn the deficit and close the gap on the safety spots with a vital win away from Roker Park.