Preview: Nottingham Forest vs Swansea City

Swansea City will be looking for their third win in 8 days plus their first away points of the season on Saturday when they travel to Nottingham Forest - a side who are still yet to win a League match at home.

Our away form has been the one main concern for Brendan Rodgers' side - while many other aspects of his teams' performances so far have been encouraging. We've won every home game so far, but whilst we haven't played poorly on our travels either, we're yet to gain any points from them.

The City Ground is a tough place to go but despite our League away form, the Swans should be in confident move having their home success and their progression through to the fourth round of the Carling Cup - thanks to away wins at Tranmere Rovers and Peterborough United.

Nottingham Forest finished in a very strong 3rd position last year, and while it's still very early days - they'll be disappointed to be in the bottom half after 7 games. Injuries have mounted up for Davies' side which could have been a factor, but nevertheless they'll provide a tough test tomorrow for Rodgers' team.

Rodgers is predicting another tough game, he said:

We've got better with every away game we've played. Tactically we are becoming better.

We've performed well in every game on the road this season. If we keep performing we will get something.

'We don't need massive changes. We are only minutes and a few small things away from getting the result we want.''

'I watched the game at Nottingham last season,''

'I remember Swansea dominating the first-half and should have had a clear penalty (Darren Pratley).

'It's going to be another tough game on Saturday because Forest have some good players who will always be a threat.''

Billy Davies:

We will identify the strengths and weaknesses within their side.

'They have the pace and threat of Sinclair, they have Dobbie who is a good finisher, they have Dyer who can hit you on the counter-attack.'

Welsh international striker Rob Earnshaw is doubtful with a hamstring problem, defender Kelvin Wilson could also miss out with a calf injury.

David McGoldrick could return after playing in the reserves this week following a shoulder injury. Davies has said he may have to force him back into the team if both Earnshaw and Wilson miss out.

The former Liverpool and Swansea City loan player is usually a target for the Swans fans after he decided to join Forest instead of the Swans a couple of years ago. He'll be keen to perform well against his former team-mates. Blackstock is also a threat, he's the club's top scorer with 3 goals.

Brendan Rodgers can the same side that beat Scunthorpe United last week if he wants, as he welcomes back loan striker Frank Nouble after he was unable to play in Tuesday's Carling Cup tie. The Swans boss has a decision to make for who he should play up front as Dobbie scored a great goal last weekend - coming on as a sub for Nouble.

Craig Beattie, Angel Rangel, Tom Butler, Gorka Pintado and Ferrie Bodde are all still sidelined with injuries.

Sinclair is the stand-out player in the team right now. His pace and ability to go past defenders at will is superb and very exciting to watch. Rodgers is right when he says that you expect something great to happen every time he gets the ball. He likes to cut inside from the left wing and he's often on target with his shooting from 18+ yards. His hatrick on Tuesday night rounded off yet another impressive performance and in every game so far he has been nothing less than superb.

Forest edge the head-to-head battle with 23 wins vs Swansea's 21, the two teams have drawn with each other 13 times.

Forest did the double over the Swans last season, winning both games 1-0.

Swansea's last win at Nottingham Forest was in 2006, we won 2-1 with goals from Adrian Forbes and Lee Trundle.

Swansea are looking for their first point(s) away, Nottingham Forest are still searching for their first home win.

Forest are undefeated at home, drawing every game at the City Ground so far.

Swansea have conceded 2 goals in each of their 3 away games so far, scoring 1 goal - at Leeds United.

A tough game to predict against two strong sides. Due to our lack of form away and Forest's lack of wins at home, I think Forest's drawing run at the City Ground will continue, but we'll pick up our first away point of the season, with a 1-1 draw.

Tuesday 28th September
Watford (a)
7:45pm kick off

Use your social login to comment on front page articles. Login using you Facebook, Twitter, Google or LinkedIn accounts and have your say!