Prediction: Nottingham Forest vs Barnsley

Verdict: Nottingham Forest win

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to extend on their recent charge in midweek, a high-flying Nottingham Forest will welcome Barnsley to the City Ground on Tuesday night.

Nottingham Forest

Starting with the hosts, eventually claiming what was a thrilling 2-1 win at home against Derby over the weekend, the mood in Nottingham’s Forest camp should be at a red-hot high. While the one-time European champions might have opened the 2021/22 campaign with many fearing that they could be at the heart of a relegation scrap, they have enjoyed nothing short of a stunning rise under Steve Cooper. Skyrocketing their way up the Championship table since bringing in the former Swansea boss, fans around the City Ground now have their sights set on mounting a late charge for the play-off places. Shocking many on January 9th as they landed a 1-0 win against Premier League giants Arsenal on FA Cup duties, Nottingham Forest now find themselves enjoying a three-match winning run. Smelling a golden chance on Tuesday night, Cooper’s side have continued to shine on home soil. Including Saturday’s 2-1 victory against a plucky Derby, it should be noted that Nottingham Forest have lost just one of their previous eight contests in front of their own supporters.

Team News

Making a return in Saturday’s 2-1 win against Derby, Max Lowe should retain his spot at wing-back here.

However, Nottingham Forest will once again be without defensive star Joe Worrall who remains out until March with a rib injury.

Barnsley

As for the visitors, while the mood in Nottingham Forest’s camp might remain at a red-hot high, the same cannot be said for a struggling Barnsley squad. Despite shocking almost everyone across the Championship as they snatched a play-off spot last season, the Yorkshire-based outfit have really come crashing back down to earth. Struggling to find any kind of a boost under new boss Poya Asbaghi, Tuesday’s guests will travel to the City Ground still sat rock-bottom of the table and eight points adrift of safety. Last seen over the weekend getting hit with a deserved 2-1 loss away at fellow strugglers Birmingham, Barnsley have remarkably collected just a pair of Championship victories throughout the 2021/22 campaign. Now tipped as the leading pick to be hit with a League One return this season, Asbaghi’s men should also be worried by their most recent meeting against the play-off contenders. Suffering a 3-1 loss when they welcomed Forest to Oakwell back in September, the Tykes will be in for a stern test here.

Team News

The duo of Aapo Halme and Obbi Oulare will once again miss out on Tuesday night as they deal with long-term issues.

However, in what has been a real nightmare for Barnsley, attacking talisman Cauley Woodrow could miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Tuesday’s opponents faced off at Oakwell back in September, Nottingham Forest picked up a 3-1 victory.
• Likewise, Steve Cooper’s men have won each of their last three matchups across all formats.
• Barnsley have remarkably picked up just a pair of Championship wins throughout the 2021/22 campaign.
• Nottingham Forest have lost just one of their last eight contests at the City Ground.
• Barnsley have failed to record a single away win across all formats so far this season.

Conclusion

Grabbing a 2-1 win against Derby over the weekend, there is no doubt that Nottingham Forest should be smelling another golden chance here. Knocking Premier League giants Arsenal out of the FA Cup earlier in the month, Tuesday’s hosts really have their sights set on mounting a late charge for the play-off places. With just a single defeat at the City Ground from any of their last eight outings, the former European champions will be looking to cash in on a Barnsley side in the midst of a nightmare. Sat rock-bottom of the Championship table and already eight points adrift of safety, the Tykes have recorded just a pair of second-tier wins throughout the 2021/22 campaign. With Forest picking up a 3-1 win when the two sides faced off back in September, we’re backing a similar home victory here.

Verdict: Nottingham Forest win

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet