NOTTINGHAM, England — Nottingham Forest defender Murillo was pulled out of Monday’s match against Crystal Palace due to a thigh injury, but he might be available for the upcoming clash against Leicester City on Sunday.
Murillo, who scored a goal on Monday before his injury, trained ahead of the match, raising hopes for his participation. However, Callum Hudson-Odoi remains sidelined with a hamstring issue and is unlikely to play again until late in the season.
Meanwhile, Leicester City welcomes back Facundo Buonanotte, who has cleared concussion protocols. However, key players Ricardo Pereira and Stephy Mavididi are still nursing injuries and won’t be ready for the match.
As the two teams prepare to face off, their head-to-head record indicates a competitive rivalry. Nottingham Forest holds a slight edge with 30 wins over Leicester’s 23 in all competitions.
This match is crucial for Nottingham Forest, who currently sit sixth in the Premier League with 61 points, just two points behind Chelsea, who sits in fifth place. Forest’s aim is to secure a Champions League spot as they look to recover from a recent 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace.
Despite their recent dip in form, Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo remains optimistic. ‘We need to turn our form around,’ Santo stated. ‘We have to perform at home. Leicester is a tough opponent, and we are ready to fight.’
Leicester City, currently in 19th place with just 21 points, is looking for a much-needed win. They secured a 2-0 victory over Southampton last weekend, providing a glimmer of hope as they fight against relegation.
Leicester’s manager, Ruud van Nistelrooy, acknowledges the challenge ahead. ‘Every match is important for us,’ he said. ‘Facing Nottingham Forest will be tough, but we have to believe in ourselves.’
In the predicted lineups for Sunday’s encounter, Nottingham Forest might deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, featuring Murillo, if fit, alongside Nikola Milenkovic in defense. The midfield could see Danilo stepping in for Ibrahim Sangare as they search for a way to break down Leicester’s defense.
On the other hand, Leicester is likely to set up in a similar 4-2-3-1 formation, with Harry Souttar missing but Buonanotte returning to bolster their midfield. They hope to capitalize on Forest’s vulnerabilities to secure crucial points.
As both teams prepare for this high-stakes encounter, fans anticipate an electrifying atmosphere at the City Ground. The outcome could have significant implications for both teams as the Premier League season draws to a close.
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