SUNDERLAND look to keep in European contention, hosting Forest who have finally found some form.
Friday’s match up at the Stadium of Light has big implications for many Premier League sides, and will be one that fans up and down the table will be keeping an eye on.
The Black Cats are reeling from a dramatic 4-3 defeat to Aston Villa last time out, with just three points between them and the European spots.
Forest arrive having found some form under Vitor Pereira, their fourth manager of the season.
They look to push themselves further away from the relegation zone, currently sitting in 16th with West Ham just three points behind.
Team News
Sunderland are grappling with several absences. Bertrand Traoré, Jocelin Ta Bi, and Nilson Angulo are all closing in on returns to training.
Romaine Mundle remains unavailable after undergoing surgery for his hamstring injury in March. Omar Alderete is back in contention to start after missing last week through illness.
Forest will be without the services of Callum Hudson-Odoi following his season-ending quad injury last week, as well as Murillo, who is still a way off after injuring his hamstring.
Vitor Pereira will also have to do without depth options John Victor, and Nicolo Savona.
Match Stats
Nottingham Forest have struggled against Sunderland in recent years, losing five of their last six league meetings against the Black Cats.
Sunderland are the only current Premier League side yet to win a match on all seven days of the week, having never won a fixture played on a Friday (D2 L1).
Only Crystal Palace (71) have seen fewer total goals in their matches this season than Sunderland (76), despite the hosts conceding four in their last outing.
Nottingham Forest are looking for consecutive league wins for the first time since November, currently enjoying their best unbeaten run of the season (5 games).
