Forest were deservedly beaten at home by Everton last weekend in what was an uncharacteristic performance.

Expectations have shifted to finish in the top five having been third for much of the campaign, despite narrowly avoiding relegation just last season.

Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo admitted anxiety crept in to their performance - as the Toffees created a host of good chances before Abdoulaye Doucoure’s late winner, with the xG numbers reading 0.42 v 1.26 by full-time.

Despite suffering back-to-back defeats, only Liverpool have more wins (23) than Forest (17) this season going into the weekend.

Given they finished the 2023/24 campaign with just nine, it has been a staggering turnaround.

Their low possession approach has remained, with no team having less of the ball in the Premier League this season (40.1%) than tonight’s visitors.

Forest have also played the fewest passes (10,743) and have the lowest pass completion percentage (75%) of all 20 teams.

Forest boast a formidable centre-back pairing.

Despite his error leading to Everton’s winner nine days ago, Murillo been outstanding. The Brazilian boasts the required physicality, a desire to dribble out from the back and pace to recover and make a last-ditch challenge. Don’t be surprised if he tries a shot from the halfway line too.

Alongside him, summer addition Nikola Milenkovic has been a bargain signing at £12m, with the 6ft 4ins Serbian excellent at defending crosses.

The goalkeeper position had been problematic too since promotion prior to Matz Sels’ arrival, with the Belgian on course to win the Premier League’s Golden Glove - boasting more clean sheets than anyone else (13).

Occasionally, Nuno switches his team to a 5-3-2/3-4-1-2, but mainly it’s 4-2-3-1 with an attack that has scored seven times on the counter (fifth most in the league).

Chris Wood returned from a hip issue against Everton - with only Mo Salah, Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak having scored more goals than his 18 this term.

The New Zealand international provides the perfect focal point for Forest, while Morgan Gibbs-White (five goals, seven assists) plays the No 10 position behind - able to carry the ball and play a perfect pass, as he did for the goal in Forest’s 1-0 win over Spurs in December.

Anthony Elanga took the chance that day and, despite going off in the recent 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa with a knock, he was available as a second half sub against Everton.

His six goals and eight assists surpass the Premier League numbers of Callum Hudson-Odoi on the other side, but the wingers are a major threat with their pace and skill - both with the desire to cut inside and make things happen.