PREVIEW: Coventry City v Nottm Forest
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Venue: Ricoh Arena
COVENTRY City head into their clash with Forest looking to protect a four-game unbeaten run at the Ricoh Arena which has seen them take ten points from a possible 12. City were also just seven minutes away from their first three points on the road since October on Saturday only to concede a late equalizer in their 1-1 draw with Bristol City at Ashton Gate. City coach Steve Ogrizovic though said the Sky Blues could take heart from the point considering the club's poor record at the Robins' home and added he wanted to see City carry their momentum into the clash with Billy Davies' Forest side. Coventry defender Richard Wood also said he was looking forward to the stern test he expects from the league high fliers when they come to the Ricoh Arena.
Check out pre-match video interviews with Steve Ogrizovic and Richard Wood on Sky Blues Player NOW!!!
OVERVIEW NOBODY can really argue that Nottingham Forest are the form team in the Championship at the moment. Boss Billy Davies has transformed them from a side who narrowly staved off relegation last season to an outfit which has established itself as firm contenders for automatic promotion to the Premier League. Just one defeat in their last 22 Championship matches has seen them rise to third in the table, constantly swapping second place with fellow promotion contenders West Bromwich Albion. Their recent form was also epitomized in their 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend, conceding a late equalizer to the Owls only to go back in front moments later and reclaim three points. HEAD TO HEAD NOTTINGHAM Forest have an overwhelming advantage in all-time clashes with the Sky Blues, having won 42 of 87 ties between the two since 1910. Recent fixtures show the fortunes of both sides to be more even though, City and Forest both winning two of their last five meetings with one ending in a stalemate. Last five fixtures Nottingham Forest 2 Coventry City 0, Coca-Cola Championship, 28/12/2009 Click below to watch City's all-time great 5-4 win over Nottingham Forest in the Rumbelow's Cup clash from November 1990.
CONNECTIONS THE Sky Blues have a number of connections with the City Ground outfit the most famous being the shared services of former England captain Stuart Pearce.
Former Forest midfielder Sammy Clingan now plies his trade with the Sky Blues while big striker Dele Adebola is at the opposite end of the spectrum at the City Ground, having netted three times this season for Forest and scoring 31 goals in a five-year spell with City.
Legendary Sky Blues striker Ian Wallace also made a name for himself at Highfield Road with 60 goals in 138 appearances, a run of form that secured him a move to then European champions Forest in 1980. Click below for an exclusive interview with Sky Blues legend Ian Wallace!
LAST GAME Nottingham Forest 2 Sheffield Wed 1
FOREST made it 12 games unbeaten and three wins on the bounce at the City Ground thanks to a Dexter Blackstock double. The club top scorer notched up his tenth and 11th goals of the season, firstly from the spot on 24 minutes after Forest were handed a penalty decision by referee Trevor Kettle. Luke Varney put the visitors on level terms on 73 minutes with a clean slotted finish past Forest 'keeper Lee Camp but the hosts regained the lead with ten minutes to go when Blackstock bundled home an effort. INJURIES AND BANS Coventry City are still without Marcus Hall, Ben Turner, Isaac Osbourne and Jordan Clarke but the Sky Blues came through Saturday's 1-1 draw away at Bristol City with a clean bill of health and will have the same options as they had last weekend. Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies could be tempted to make changes to his starting 11 after Radoslaw Majewski and Paul Anderson were left out of the starting line-up for Saturday's 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday. Davies has no injury or suspension worries to contend with but Nathan Tyson will be hoping to retain his place after making his first start of 2010 against the Owls. Dexter Blackstock THE only thing keeping Lee Camp out of this spot is the fact that he does not score goals although that's the only thing he hasn't done this season. That being said, Blackstock is more than worthy of the moniker of 'Danger Man' having hit 11 goals this season to top the club scorer's list as well as a brace in their last clash with Sheffield Wednesday which handed Forest all the points.
Quick, strong and intelligent, Blackstock has not only proved his own ability in front of goal but also his ability to link up with strike partner Robert Earnshaw who has enjoyed a similarly profitable return this campaign. Both Earnshaw and Blackstock netted the goals in Forest's 2-0 win over the Sky Blues at the City Ground back in December so the City back four will no doubt have the pair firmly on their radar. BETTING Click HERE or below for all the match odds for Coventry City's clash with Nottingham Forest!!!
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