Nott'm Forest v Sheff Utd

Posted Tuesday, September 28, 2010 by BBC.com

Npower Championship
Venue: City Ground Date: Tuesday, 28 September Kick-off: 1945 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio & highlights on The Football League Show

TEAM NEWS
Nottingham Forest are hopeful that forward Nathan Tyson will recover from a virus in time for the game.

But Rob Earnshaw is unlikely to feature before the forthcoming international break because of a thigh injury.

Sheffield United manager Gary Speed has hinted that loan signing Ritchie De Laet will make his full debut.

Striker Jamie Ward is suspended and in any case has a muscle strain, while skipper Chris Morgan is out with a hamstring problem.

MATCH PREVIEW
If the form book is anything to go by, a feast of goals in this game is highly unlikely. Games involving Sheffield United this season have yielded only 14, which is fewer than any other club's. And Forest's matches have produced only two more.

United have won three matches out of five under manager Gary Speed. All three of those have been 1-0, and two of their four defeats this season have been by the same scoreline. Speed's men have failed to score in two of their last three matches. In fact, the Blades have the bluntest attack in the Championship, with only four goals scored this season.

Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, are unbeaten in seven matches since an opening-day defeat against Burnley. But they are becoming the Championship's draw specialists, with five of those games finishing all-square.

The Midlands club continue to boast an excellent home record. Their only loss at the City Ground since Blackpool beat them there over a year ago came in last season's play-offs - again against Blackpool. That is a run of 23 regular-season home games without defeat.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

• This is the 99th league match between these clubs. Nottingham Forest have won 40 and Sheffield United 33 of the previous games, with 25 drawn.

• The Blades' only victory in eight league clashes with Forest was a 1-0 triumph in December 2008. It was also the Yorkshire club's last victory at the City Ground.

Nottingham Forest

• Forest have won two of their last three league games.

• They are yet to keep a clean sheet at home in the league this season, having conceded one goal in each of their four outings.

Sheffield United

• On average this season, Sheffield United have scored every 18.25 attempts on goal. That is the worst conversion rate in the Championship.

• Nyron Nosworthy is on the brink of his 350th club career appearance, while Stephen Quinn could make his 150th appearance for the club.