Forest v Brum: Preview

It's nearly seven years since we last locked horns with the boys from Brum and how things have changed in that time. Whilst the Blues have been yoyoing between the Championship and the Prem, we of course have had to endure an even bigger fall from grace. Both sides now find themselves on an even footing in the Championship, but there's still a way for us to go, to be any serious threat to them.

Blues boss Alex McLeish, has assembled one of the strongest squads in the division and can boast a powerful attack that includes Kevin Phillips, Marcus Bent and James McFadden. With Lee Carsley calling the shots in midfied, they are rightly one of the fancied teams for promotion. The side has suffered a few setbacks in recent weeks and lost 1-0 to Coventry last time out. Currently the Blues sit second in the table, four points behind leaders Wolves.

It's not all doom and gloom for the Reds' though, as we're enjoying our best run of the season so far. Unbeaten in two! Although we sit second from bottom, confidence is high, following the credible draw with the Mutton Molesters last week.

This will be a good guage for Calderwood to assess how things are shaping up for the team. With the injury list clearing up and players getting back to fitness, he will be hoping the strikers can start finding the net, in an effort to end the goal drought that is hitting us so hard at present.

Calderwood will be hoping that Cohen will return to replace the suspended McGugan. Martin is out with an ankle injury (some say back in Manchester) and Fletch could be missing with a mystery back injury.

Little Earn looks fit again and will be looking to hit the goals trail again following his layoff. He's still our top scorer with 5, despite being out.

McLeish has a host of long term injuries and will be without the inform Gary O'Connor. With Nicky Hunt having arrived on loan from Bolton, David Murphy, Kelly and Parnaby nearing full fitness, McLeish could soon have five players fighting for places.

Unlikely to play the full 90, but he only needs a second. He might be knocking on a bit at 34, but he still knows how to score.

Last time out in 2002, it ended 1-1 at the City Ground, with Stern John getting the equaliser. In 84 meetings, Forest have won 33, lost 28 and drawn 23.

Depite our upturn in fortunes, I'm going for a 2-1 defeat. Hopefully my prediction is as accurate as ever and we get a win.

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