Samba starts: How we expect Nottingham Forest to line up against Coventry on Wednesday

If there were concerns that the international break could halt Nottingham Forest’s recent momentum, Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Blackpool will certainly have eased them. 

Steve Cooper’s side were sensational at Bloomfield Road as they brushed aside the Tangerines and moved to within one point of the top six.

The Reds’ next chance to climb further up the Championship table comes on Wednesday night as they host Coventry City on Trentside.

Cooper has urged his players to savour their remaining games at The City Ground this season and you can expect there to be a raucous atmosphere under the lights tomorrow evening.

But Coventry hold play-off hopes of their own and will be looking to ruin the Reds’ party.

With that in mind, here is the starting XI we expect Cooper to name against the Sky Blues tomorrow evening…

Ethan Horvath performed excellently in the absence of Brice Samba but the latter returned to the starting XI against Blackpool and impressed – with only Callum Connolly’s 89th-minute consolation goal denying him a clean sheet.

There is real competition for the number one jersey now but it seems as though Samba may be the man in possession and start against Blackpool.

The impact of Scott McKenna’s return to the back three was clear to see on Saturday, with both his defensive work and ability on the ball proving very useful.

With Steve Cook still injured, the Scotsman is in line to reprise his role alongside Tobias Figeuiredo and Joe Worrall.

Likewise, it would be a surprise to see Cooper change a midfield that allowed the Reds to control the game so effectively on the weekend – meaning we should see Jack Colback and Djed Spence on the flanks again with James Garner partnering Ryan Yates in central midfield.

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