A City Ground double-header this week could be season-defining for Nottingham Forest as they prepare to do battle on two fronts.
The Reds claimed a positive result in the first of three successive home games by coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Aston Villa on Sunday. Now they need to build on that stalemate.
A place in the Europa League semi-finals is on the line when Vitor Pereira’s side host Porto in the second leg of their last-eight tie on Thursday. It finished honours even, at 1-1, in Portugal last week so there is all to play for when the teams face each other again.
In the Premier League, meanwhile, Burnley will be the visitors to the banks of the Trent on Sunday for a huge clash. Forest are just three points clear of the drop zone as things stand so could really do with a victory to boost their survival hopes.
Pereira is yet to win with the Reds at the City Ground; this week would be the perfect time to change that stat. Ahead of a monumental few days, NottinghamshireLive looks at some of the big talking points Trentside…
Should Pereira prioritise Porto or Burnley?
This particular debate has characterised much of the campaign, certainly in recent months. With the finish line drawing ever closer, the question of where the head coach’s priority should fall is starting to carry even more weight.
European quarter-finals do not come around very often; semi-finals even less so. The opportunity for the class of 2025/26 to write their names into the club’s history courtesy of a shot at silverware is a tantalising one.
Evangelos Marinakis would certainly love a trophy. But the Reds owner also does not want a relegation on his watch – and neither does Pereira.
The Portuguese said last week it would be a “disaster” if Forest go down. He has been clear his priority is to retain the club’s top-flight status.
But that doesn’t mean the Reds should simply throw away their Europa League dreams. They have been able to balance the two competitions so far, so why can that not continue?
In the second leg against Midtjylland in the last round, Pereira was able to manage players’ minutes successfully before a massive game against Tottenham Hotspur a few days later. He was also able to motivate some of his fringe players to put in a fine display in Denmark on that occasion.
Getting past Porto will not be easy; Forest’s home form hasn’t been great this term and they rode their luck in the first leg. But they should take confidence from being five unbeaten in all competitions. The chance to reach a European semi-final is not one to be passed up.
How many more points will Forest need to stay up?
Conventional wisdom has generally put the magic mark at 40 points, but more often than not the cut-off has been less than that. Since the 1995/96 season, when the league was cut to 20 teams, banking 36 points was enough to survive on at least 18 occasions.
However, it’s looking increasingly likely a high total might be required this term. It would be a surprise if 36 points is enough this time around.
Leeds United look like they will be OK now, after their win over Manchester United on Monday. That leaves a scrap between Forest, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur to avoid the third relegation spot.
Pereira’s side are certainly fighting and I do think they are capable of picking up some big results in their final six games. West Ham have got a spirit about them, too – as you’d expect now Nuno Espirito Santo has had a bit of time.
The big variable concerns Spurs. They have shown precious little character so far, but how much of an impact can Roberto De Zerbi have? He didn’t get an immediate new manager bounce and he will know he has a massive job on his hands, but he will believe he can spark some kind of upturn in fortunes.
Burnley on Sunday should not be seen as a gimme for Forest, but if they can get the win it would leave them well placed. Whatever happens at the weekend, it won’t be over either way.
Does Pereira need a striker rethink?
The Reds boss’ forward options have undeniably received a boost with the return of Chris Wood from injury. The New Zealand international still needs to build up his sharpness but just having him available again is huge. He has been missed in the dressing room as much as on the pitch.
When he is 100 percent, Wood must surely be Pereira’s first-choice up front. It might well be he starts on Thursday night, just as he did in Portugal, with the plan to bring on Igor Jesus at a certain point.
Jesus has done well in Europe but continues to find the going tough in the Premier League. He had a particularly challenging afternoon against Villa, although did show there is an option to play both him and Wood together.
Pereira explained afterwards why he had not included Taiwo Awoniyi or Lorenzo Lucca in the match squad. He felt he had the forward position covered with Wood on the bench and wanted to ensure he had sufficient back-up in other areas.
Lucca will probably struggle to play many more minutes between now and the end of the season, but there is surely room for Awoniyi to be involved. I’d have had him on the bench at the weekend and would be tempted to give him some sort of role on Sunday.
Pereira argued otherwise in his post-match press conference, but goals are still an issue. Forest need everyone to step up, but there is also a decision to be made over which striker plays and when.
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