Thanks for joining me!

Thanks for joining today's coverage for the match between Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City.

Rubin Colwill's brace sees the Bluebirds take the three points at the City Ground.

Another disappointing result for Chris Hughton's Reds.

See you next time!

12 September 2021 4:43 PM BST

Full-time stats

Nottingham Forest 1-2 Cardiff City

Shots: 8-21

Shots on target: 1-5 

Possession: 49%-51%

Passes: 230-233

Pass accuracy: 60%-62%

Fouls: 8-4

Yellow cards: 0-3

Red cards: 0-0

Offsides: 2-4

Corners: 3-3

12 September 2021 4:40 PM BST

What it means for the table

Forest stay bottom of the table, while Cardiff are up to eighth. 

12 September 2021 4:33 PM BST

Full-time: Forest 1-2 Cardiff

The Bluebirds hold on and pick up the three points. What an impact from substitute Rubin Colwill, who is awarded the Sky Sports man of the match.

Forest's search for a first league win continues.

12 September 2021 4:27 PM BST

Six minutes added

Forest have six minutes left to find an equaliser!

12 September 2021 4:20 PM BST

87' Cardiff substitution

It's a Bluebirds debut for 19-year-old Kieron Evans, who replaces Mark Harris.

12 September 2021 4:16 PM BST

84' Phillips denies Yates

Forest's Ryan Yates shoots from distance but is denied by Dillon Phillips.

Wasn't the most convincing save.

12 September 2021 4:13 PM BST

81' Forest substitution

Forest make their second change, which sees Alex Mighten replace Brennan Johnson.

12 September 2021 4:10 PM BST

78' Garner goes close!

Dillon Phillips makes a fingertip save to keep out Garner's free-kick.

The resulting corner comes back out to Lolley, but Phillips makes another save.

12 September 2021 4:08 PM BST

76' Booking for Perry Ng

Cardiff's Perry Ng is booked for a foul on James Garner.

Free-kick in a dangerous position for Forest.

12 September 2021 4:06 PM BST

Yellow card for Marlon Pack

Cardiff's Marlon Pack picks up a yellow card.

12 September 2021 4:05 PM BST

More on the goal

The substitutes combine again as a clever touch from Moore finds Colwill, whose effort from the edge of the box beats Samba. 

The Forest keeper got a touch but couldn't keep it out.

12 September 2021 4:04 PM BST

73' GOAL! Cardiff go ahead!

Ryan Colwill gets his second of the afternoon and puts Cardiff ahead!

12 September 2021 4:02 PM BST

71' Lolley fires wide

Forest sub Joe Lolley tries his luck from distance, but it's well wide of Phillips' goal.

12 September 2021 4:01 PM BST

70' Chance for Forest

Half chance for Forest as Garner's corner finds Yates, who's unable to hit the target. 

Wasn't an easy chance.

12 September 2021 4:00 PM BST

67' Forest substitution

A Forest change sees Joe Lolley replace Philip Zinckernagel.

12 September 2021 3:57 PM BST

65' Cardiff denied a corner

The Bluebirds are denied a clear corner as Vaulks' effort hit Grabban, but the decision is a goal-kick.

12 September 2021 3:55 PM BST

65' Flint denied

Cardiff continue to pile the pressure on as Flint's header is saved by Samba.

12 September 2021 3:54 PM BST

63' Moore hits the post

Kieffer Moore is agonisingly close to putting Cardiff ahead as his header from Vaulks' free-kick hits the post!

12 September 2021 3:52 PM BST

62' Chance for Cardiff

A free-kick comes into the Forest box and Samba can only parry to Harris, whose effort goes over the crossbar.

12 September 2021 3:51 PM BST

More on the goal

Will Vaulks' cross found Kieffer Moore, whose header hit Aden Flint and fell to Colwill, and the youngster slotted home past Samba.

12 September 2021 3:48 PM BST

58' GOAL! Cardiff are level!

Rubin Colwill equalises for Cardiff with his first touch!

12 September 2021 3:47 PM BST

56' Double change for Cardiff

The visitors make a double change.

ON: Kieffer Moore and Rubin Colwill

OFF: James Collins and Sam Bowen

12 September 2021 3:46 PM BST

54' Vaulks free-kick saved

Cardiff's Will Vaulks shoots from a free-kick when it looked like he might cross. It's comfortably saved by Samba.

12 September 2021 3:44 PM BST

52' Chance for Forest

James Garner delivers a corner and finds Lewis Grabban, who is unable to get his header on target.

12 September 2021 3:41 PM BST

46' We're back underway!

Forest get the second half underway!

12 September 2021 3:34 PM BST

Half-time stats

Nottingham Forest 1-0 Cardiff City

Shots: 5-12

Shots on target: 1-1

Possession: 47%-53%

Passes: 140-155

Pass accuracy: 62%-65%

Fouls: 5-3

Yellow cards: 0-1

Red cards: 0-0

Offsides: 2-3

Corners: 1-2

12 September 2021 3:31 PM BST

Half-time: Forest 1-0 Cardiff

Grabban's goal is the difference at half-time as Forest go in leading.

Can they hold on and secure their first league win?

12 September 2021 3:19 PM BST

Forest bodies on the line!

Forest put their bodies on the line as Cardiff see three efforts blocked in quick succession. 

The second hit Bluebirds defender Sean Morrison.

The third block fell to Mark Harris, who could only head wide.

12 September 2021 3:18 PM BST

Three minutes added on

The fourth official indicates a minimum of three minutes added time in the first half.

12 September 2021 3:16 PM BST

45' Brennan Johnson back on

Good news for Forest as Brennan Johnson is able to continue.

12 September 2021 3:15 PM BST

42' Vaulks fires over

Cardiff's Will Vaulks fires an effort over the crossbar.

Brennan Johnson and Sean Morrison collide, and the former is down receiving treatment.

12 September 2021 3:13 PM BST

40' Aden Flint receives treatment

Cardiff defender Aden Flint gets bandaged up after sustaining a nasty cut above his eye.

12 September 2021 3:11 PM BST

38' Chance for Cardiff

Perry Ng plays the ball into James Collins, whose effort is well saved by Brice Samba. 

12 September 2021 3:09 PM BST

Grabban's goal

 

12 September 2021 3:05 PM BST

33' Yellow card for Will Vaulks

Cardiff's Will Vaulks picks up a yellow card. It appears to have been for something he said to the referee.

12 September 2021 3:03 PM BST

More on the goal

Forest attacked down the left and Brennan Johnson played it to Max Lowe, whose low cross found Grabban and the striker finished first time past Dillon Phillips.

12 September 2021 2:55 PM BST

23' GOAL! Forest take the lead!

Lewis Grabban puts Forest ahead!

12 September 2021 2:54 PM BST

17' Dylan Rich remembered

There's a minute's applause around the City Ground for Forest fan Dylan Rich, who sadly passed away last weekend.

12 September 2021 2:48 PM BST

15' Samba clears the danger

The corner comes to nothing as Forest keeper Brice Samba clears the danger.

12 September 2021 2:46 PM BST

14' Cardiff win a corner

The visitors win a corner as the ball is blocked behind by Djed Spence.

12 September 2021 2:45 PM BST

8' Chance for Forest

James Garner plays the ball into the box and finds Lyle Taylor, who sends his strike over the crossbar.

12 September 2021 2:39 PM BST

4' Forest survive

Joel Bagan's header hits the crossbar, before Forest defender Joe Worrall is able to clear in desperate fashion off the line.

12 September 2021 2:36 PM BST

1' Quick start

Both sides see early efforts blocked.

Forest's Ryan Yates also saw his header go high and wide after Djed Spence had crossed.

12 September 2021 2:33 PM BST

1' We're underway!

Cardiff get us underway at the City Ground!

12 September 2021 2:30 PM BST

Change to the Cardiff line-up

 

12 September 2021 2:25 PM BST

Why Ralls and Giles are missing for Cardiff

Mick McCarthy confirmed to Sky Sports that Joe Ralls is out with a groin injury, while Ryan Giles is out due to an illness.

12 September 2021 2:22 PM BST

15 minutes until kick-off!

We're just 15 minutes away from kick-off now!

Who will come out on top between Forest and Cardiff?

You'll find out here on VAVEL!

12 September 2021 2:16 PM BST

4-4-2 for Forest

Chris Hughton has moved away from his usual 4-2-3-1 formation today, opting to play two strikers with Lewis Grabban and Lyle Taylor both starting. 

Djed Spence and Max Lowe make their debuts at full-back.

12 September 2021 1:58 PM BST

Big blow for Cardiff

Wolves loanee Ryan Giles is absent for Cardiff this afternoon. 

The 21-year-old has four assists already this season. How will the Bluebirds cope without him?

12 September 2021 1:55 PM BST

It's Matchday!

Good afternoon! Just over an hour until kick-off between Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City.

We will have the confirmed line-ups in 10 minutes. 

Stay tuned!

12 September 2021 1:20 PM BST

That's all for now

I'll be back closer to kick-off with the confirmed line-ups, followed by live updates throughout the game.

See you then!

12 September 2021 3:12 AM BST

How to watch

The match will be available to watch on Sky Sports Football (channel 403) and kicks off at 14:30 BST.

However, if you want to follow live text commentary, VAVEL UK is your best option!

12 September 2021 3:07 AM BST

Prediction

Cardiff have to be considered favourites for the match, given the starts both sides have made. 

However, Forest could have gained a bit of confidence after picking up their first point against Derby. 

I'm predicting the Reds to avoid defeat again but not having enough to secure their first win. 

Prediction: 1-1.

12 September 2021 3:02 AM BST

Previous meetings

The overall record between the sides favours Cardiff, with them winning 31 compared to Forest's 17. 

However, the Reds won the previous two meetings, winning 1-0 on both occasions in the Championship and FA Cup

Cardiff did win their league fixture at the City Ground last season, though, coming away 2-0 winners. 

12 September 2021 2:57 AM BST

Key player for Cardiff City

Aden Flint is a player Forest will need to keep an eye on. Despite being a centre-back, he is the Bluebirds' top scorer this season with four goals. 

All four were headers as he scored a brace in a 2-2 draw at Peterborough United and in the 3-1 home win against Millwall

His aerial ability could be an issue for the Reds.

 

Embed from Getty Images

12 September 2021 2:52 AM BST

Key player for Nottingham Forest

Brennan Johnson is one of Forest's key players. The 20-year-old had a fine loan spell at Lincoln City this season, scoring 11 and assisting five. 

The Wales international scored his first goal for the Reds in the draw at Derby and assisted Lyle Taylor in the opening day defeat at Coventry City.

 

Embed from Getty Images

12 September 2021 2:47 AM BST

Predicted line-ups

Nottingham Forest: Samba; Spence, Worrall, McKenna, Lowe; Garner, Yates; Zinckernagel, Carvalho, Johnson; Taylor.

Cardiff City: Phillips; Morrison, Flint, Nelson; Ng, Pack, Ralls, Bagan; Giles, Moore, Bacuna. 

12 September 2021 2:42 AM BST

Who will be the referee and his assistants?

Referee: Dean Whitestone

Assistants: Mark Pottage and Geoffrey Liddle

Fourth Official: Joshua Smith

12 September 2021 2:37 AM BST

Cardiff looking to bounce back

The Bluebirds have made a solid start to the season but lost 2-1 at home to Bristol City last time out.

That was their only league defeat so far, and they are yet to lose away from home.

Mick McCarthy's side could climb from 10th to seventh but would need to win by three goals.

12 September 2021 2:32 AM BST

Forest looking for first league win of the season

The Reds come into the game sitting bottom of the table after five games. 

Four of those ended in defeat, with them picking up their first point against rivals Derby County before the international break.

Can Chris Hughton's men pick up their first victory of the campaign? It certainly won't be easy against a strong Cardiff side.

12 September 2021 2:27 AM BST

The match will be played at the City Ground

Sunday's match will take place at the City Ground.

The stadium is located in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, and has a capacity of 30,445.

12 September 2021 2:22 AM BST

Welcome!

Hello, my name is Dale Winfield. I'll be your host for this Sky Bet Championship match between Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City.

Here at VAVEL, we'll provide you with pre-game analysis and live match updates.

12 September 2021 2:17 AM BST