When Nottingham Forest resumes play following the international break, their goal will be to record their first home victory of the Premier League season.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s team has a bright start to the season, but their failure to win at the City Ground remains a minor stain on their record. They will be keen to combat it when they play Crystal Palace on Monday.
However, the Reds need to figure out how to do it without their talisman on the field and their head coach on the sidelines. Nuno, Morgan Gibbs-White, and midfielder James Ward-Prowse are all suspended for the match next week.
Given that Gibbs-White had an ankle injury during the 1-1 draw at Chelsea, it is doubtful that he would have been available for Monday night otherwise. The England international was greatly missed when he was banned for last month’s 1-0 home loss to Fulham, so Forest is well aware of what it’s like to be without him.
In an attempt to deal with the absence of his star player, Nuno chose to play an old-fashioned 4-4-2 system on that particular occasion. However, it didn’t work, and it doesn’t appear that the same choice will be made when Palace visits the area.
Nuno still has a few options to make up for Ward-Prowse’s absence, as well as the continued absence of midfielders Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare. If he continues to use his typical 4-2-3-1 system, Jota Silva and Elliot Anderson will probably be competing for the No. 10 spot.
The latter hasn’t started a Premier League match at the Garibaldi yet, but after some strong substitute performances, he must be very close to receiving his turn. And since there aren’t many midfielders on the field, Anderson would be able to pair Ryan Yates in the middle of the pitch if Jota were to replace Gibbs-White.
Nuno could, of course, use a 4-3-3 formation with Chris Wood as the striker and wingers on either side. Would a midfield consisting of Nicolas Dominguez, Anderson, and Yates provide the ideal balance, though?
Anthony Elanga, who will be eager to return to the starting lineup, was benched for the second straight game in the capital. The Sweden international is probably going to return to the starting lineup if Nuno chooses Jota at number 10. Elanga, Jota, and Callum Hudson-Odoi as an attacking three could be problematic for Palace.
Without a doubt, Taiwo Awoniyi will be eager to play. Despite making his first Premier League start of the season against Fulham, the forward did not play against Chelsea.
Nuno has acknowledged that considerable work is necessary if the duo is to have a chance of succeeding, but he has not ruled out partnering Wood and Awoniyi again. When it comes to maintaining a starting position, Wood now has the advantage, but Awoniyi can undoubtedly step up and have an impact.