Nottingham Forest take on Leicester City in the East Midlands Derby, as Leicester look to bounce back after crashing out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.

These East Midlands rivals had polarising midweek success, with Nottingham Forest booking their place in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, by overcoming Wolves in a penalty shootout on Wednesday night. However, Leicester were comfortably beaten by high-flying Newcastle United, with goals from Joelinton and Dan Burn setting up a semi-final tie with Southampton.

In the reverse fixture, in October, Leicester City picked up an important three points as they cruised to a 4-0 over Forest, courtesy of two goals from James Maddison, and one from Patson Daka and Harvey Barnes. The result sparked a good run of fixtures, which lifted the Foxes out of the relegation zone and into 14th, before the World Cup break.

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But since the return of the Premier League, Brendan Rodgers' side have not been able to pick up where they left off, losing all three of their Premier League games so far. 

It has been the opposite for Forest who picked up a massive three points last time out in the Premier League, beating relegation rivals Southampton 1-0. They also managed to pick up a point against Chelsea at home in their first game of 2023.

With only five points separating the bottom eight teams, this East Midlands derby is one of the most important, with both teams eager to ensure they do not get bogged down towards the relegation zone.

Team News

Nottingham Forest

Forest will be without Willy Boly when they take on Leicester, due to a foot issue picked up in midweek against Wolves.

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Omar Richards, Cheikhou Kouyate, Giulia Biancone, Jesse Lingard, and Moussa Niakhate all remain sidelined.

Taiwo Awoniyi and Neco Williams are facing late fitness tests ahead of Saturday, with the Forest pair struggling with injuries.

Awoniyi missed the quarter-final against Wolves in midweek and looks set to miss the East Midlands derby, with a groin injury.

Leicester

Brendan Rodgers continues to contend with the ongoing injury crisis at Leicester City, with key players ruled out.

Rodgers confirmed that Maddison will miss the East Midlands derby, with an ongoing knee issue that has kept him sidelined since the World Cup break.

The Foxes will also be without Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, with the academy product struggling with a buttock issue, but the midfielder should be back next week.

Dennis Praet is back in training after recovering from a hip injury that the Belgian picked up against Newcastle United on Boxing Day.

However, Brendan Rodgers still has a long injury list with Boubakary Soumare, Jonny Evans, James Justin, Ricardo Pereira, sidelined with long term injuries.

Predicted line-ups

Nottingham Forest

Henderson; Aurier, Worrall, Cook, Lodi; Yates, Freuler, Mangala; Gibbs-White, Johnson, Awoniyi

Leicester City

Ward; Albrighton, Castagne, Faes, Amartey, Thomas; Ndidi, Tielemans; Daka, Iheanacho, Perez.

Key players

Nottingham Forest - Morgan Gibbs-White

Morgan Gibbs-White will be key if Forest are to take anything from the East Midlands derby.

The midfielder caused Leicester problems when they played them away from home and if he can make runs beyond the front line and in behind Leicester’s defence, he could be the key to unlocking a shaky Leicester backline.

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Leicester City - Patson Daka

Patson Daka could be dangerous if Forest go with Worrall and Cook at the back.

The pace of Daka could be important for Leicester if they can find space in behind Forest’s defence.

The Zambian is enjoying a decent season scoring three and setting up three, but Daka will be keen to add to his tally, after signing from RB Salzburg.

Match Details

Where will the match be played?

The match will played at the City Ground in Nottingham.

What time is the match?

The match will kick-off at 3pm on Saturday, January 14th 2023.

How can you watch the match?

In the UK, the full match will not be broadcast on TV. Highlights will be available after the match has finished.

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