Sabri Lamouchi has the chance to do something no Nottingham Forest manager has managed in five years at Stoke City on Friday evening.
That quest is to lead Nottingham to the top Championship and make it eight league games unbeaten in the process.
Not since late September 2014 have the Reds topped the pile at this stage of a campaign, and such has been the promising start to life in Nottingham for Lamouchi, three points in the Potteries would see that milestone achieved, albeit for a few hours until Saturday afternoon.
Lamouchi made six changes to his side for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup defeat at Arsenal, from the one which laboured to a 1-0 victory over Barnsley last weekend.
It’s likely that there will be at least the same again at the bet365 Stadium, where the Reds will hope to make it three Championship away wins on the spin, following terrific results at Fulham and Swansea. which have raised expectations.
Brice Samba will return in goal at the expense of Aro Muric, who endured a difficult night at the Emirates Stadium, while Michael Dawson and Joe Worrall will take their places in the heart of the back four.
Left-back Yuri Ribeiro was impressive in north London and it’s likely he will keep his place, while the Reds badly missed the defensive cover provided by Ben Watson and Samba Sow, with both expected to return.
Lewis Grabban, the Reds’ only recognised fit striker was wrapped in cotton will during the week, so he’ll be back to lead the line in front of the television cameras - and Lamouchi will hope Joe Lolley’s limp failed to become anything more serious.
As they did against Barnsley, Portuguese pair Tiago Silva and Joao Carvalho once again started together in London, and in truth, did little to suggest the side can accommodate both, so it would not be a surprise to see the Frenchman make a change there.
Here’s the Reds’ predicted team: Samba, Ribeiro, Worrall, Dawson, Cash, Watson, Sow, Lolley, Grabban, Carvalho, Adomah
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