Preview: Nottingham Forest vs. Huddersfield Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Nottingham Forest play host to Huddersfield Town on Thursday evening looking to bounce back from their defeat at promotion rivals Middlesbrough on Boxing Day.

At a time when Forest were suffering a rare defeat under Steve Cooper, Huddersfield came from behind to defeat Blackpool to move back into the playoff positions.

Match preview

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Such has been Forest's form that it came as a surprise when bookmakers made them clear outsiders to extend their unbeaten record to nine games at the Riverside Stadium.

However, the East Midlands outfit were well beaten by Boro, Cooper posting just his second defeat in 16 games since his arrival in September.

The level of performance will concern Cooper, but the Forest head coach knows that his squad have shown in the past that they are capable of shaking off a defeat.

Nevertheless, having played more games than several of the teams above them, Thursday's meeting with Huddersfield is one of high importance, particularly having slipped down to ninth ahead of Wednesday's games.

On a positive note, the reverse fixture occurred in the days before Cooper's appointment in September, a team led by caretaker Steven Reid prevailing 2-0 at the John Smith's Stadium.

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For all of the improvements that Huddersfield have made this season, there is a feeling that their inconsistency may eventually cost them in the race for the top six.

However, a four-match unbeaten streak, which has featured back-to-back 3-2 victories, has catapulted the club back into contention.

Carlos Corberan would have been disappointed to only draw with Barnsley and Coventry City respectively, but dramatic comeback wins over Bristol City and Blackpool have lifted the mood at the Yorkshire club.

While Sorba Thomas stole the headlines on Boxing Day, Danny Ward netted for the third game in succession, taking his tally for the season to seven strikes.

Team News

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Forest will be able to call upon right wing-back Djed Spence, who was forced to miss the game with his parent club on Boxing Day.

Despite moving Ryan Yates back into midfield not paying off in the North-East, Cooper could stick with his middle four, with Jack Colback continuing to deputise on the left.

Lyle Taylor is an option in the final third, but this fixture may come too soon for Max Lowe.

Tom Lees will miss out for Huddersfield after suffering a head injury against Blackpool, but Levi Colwill is in line to return after illness.

Jordan Rhodes is likely to remain on the substitutes' bench, despite making an impact versus the Seasiders, but Josh Koroma could take the spot of Duane Holmes.

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Samba; Worrall, Figueiredo, McKenna; Spence, Yates, Garner, Colback; Zinckernagel, Grabban, Johnson

Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:
Nicholls; Pearson, Sarr, Colwill; Thomas, High, O'Brien, Toffolo; Koroma, Ward, Sinani

We say: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Huddersfield Town

Huddersfield will sense an opportunity to fully ensure that the tables have turned in the race for the playoffs. However, we feel that Forest will be able to shake off the disappointment at the Riverside Stadium by claiming a hard-fought victory at the City Ground.

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