Nottingham Forest vs. Coventry City Preview

Two former big names of the Premier League, Nottingham Forest and Coventry City, fight out a six-point Championship relegation battle at the City Ground on Saturday February 18, with the losers facing a mountain climb to avoid the drop down to League One.

Just three points separate the two sides who are both encamped within the relegation zone, however it is the hosts Forest who will be able to see clear daylight should they manage to overcome the Sky Blues who are currently propping up the table on just 22 points.

A home draw against Watford stopped a rot of three consecutive defeats for Steve Cotterill’s men, however the former Portsmouth boss will be happy with nothing less than three points in this fixture – a must result if he is to initiate a sustained impact for the rest of the campaign.

Coventry’s form has been equally poor of not worse and the Sky Blues’ recent defeat to Reading was their third Championship reversal on the spin.

Andy Thorn’s men will indeed carry a greater amount of confidence into this match if they can salvage something against struggling Leeds United in midweek; nevertheless the club are in dire need of wins from now until the end of the season if they are to have a chance of maintaining their status in the second tier.

The sale of prolific striker Lukasz Jutkiewicz to Middlesbrough in the January transfer window has undoubtedly weakened Coventry further and it is difficult to see where the goals are going to come from considering that they have only netted on 26 occasions thus far – with nearly half of those goals coming courtesy of their former star player.

Forest hold no advantage in this department however with their miserly 23 goal tally making them the least dangerous attacking side in the division. Fans of the Reds will have no choice but to maintain faith with the gritty Cotterill who has quickly gained a sound reputation within the game for his sharp thinking and hands on approach. And at around even money, it may pay backers to also get behind Forest and Cotterill as they look to turn things around.

The hosts, with a game in hand, have five points to make up on Bristol City in 21st but unlike Coventry, they immediately have something to shoot at.

Home advantage is always crucial in relegation clashes of this nature and with a packed City Ground aiding their cause; Forest can summon enough of an edge to further dampen City’s survival prospects.

The visitors are just short of 3/1 to snatch a priceless three points, but all things taken into account, that looks a bet to stay well clear of and overall, there is just a sense that Forest have slightly more potential within their squad which will enhance their bid to stay up.

Cotterill certainly has it all to do, but a win against Coventry may just change Forest’s season and give them the confidence to kick on.

This fixture won’t be one of the most popular from a betting perspective with both teams hardly being able to inspire in terms of the form book.

But the even money available about Forest probably should be taken as they will not get a better opportunity for the remainder of the campaign to get back to winning ways.

Go To bet365

#Ad

12/02/2012     © Frixo 2024