3 advantages that Nottingham Forest have ahead of the Championship play-offs

Targeting a top-flight return, Nottingham Forest have now settled for the Championship play-offs after they had provided Bournemouth with some competition for automatic promotion. 

The Reds will now travel to Sheffield United on Saturday before welcoming them back to the City Ground on Tuesday evening.

The winner across the two legs will set up a final at Wembley against either Huddersfield Town or Luton Town.

Here, we take a look at three advantages that Forest hold over their play-off competing counterparts…

Form under Steve Cooper

Forest have picked up more points than anyone else in the Championship since the arrival of Steve Cooper, with the Welshman seeing instant success.

The former Swansea City boss has managed to transform the Reds from a side who were growing increasingly wary that a relegation battle could be on the cards, to a fearless side who have demolished teams in the Championship this year.

With Cooper in charge, Forest fans can be confident of a continuation of this theme, with the Forest manager getting the most out of some extraordinary youthful talents at the club.

Attacking firepower 

Scoring nine more league goals than Huddersfield, and 10 more than both Luton and Sheffield United, attacking firepower could be key during these play-offs.

It remains to be seen what his forward options may be going into Saturday’s clash, but ultimately, several players in different positions have stepped up to score goals this season.

Forest possess attacking threat in abundance, with Philip Zinckernagel, Djed Spence, Brennan Johnson and James Garner all displaying excellent creative abilities all season.

Forest have the ability, more than anyone in the play-offs, to smell blood and capitalise on good spells in the