Nottingham Forest travels to face Swansea City in the third round of tonight’s Carabao Cup. New manager Ange Postecoglou will take charge of his first victory.
The Australian lost 3-0 against Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday, but they have the opportunity to correct this evening in South Wales.
The Lower League match against the opposition presents a great opportunity for rotation, but the 60-year-old needs to avoid a shocking defeat to win his fanbase.
He said yesterday at a pre-match press conference that it is likely that some players will be left to rest and others will be changed to pass on opportunities to impress the new boss.
However, the competition presents the first opening for the former Spurs boss to claim the Reds’ trophy – what owner Evangelos Marinakis desperately wants.
The Europa League is also on the horizon, so rotation is certainly needed, which could result in Morgan Gibbswhite being dropped on his previous side, with many debuts being distributed all over the board.
Forest’s final nine meetings against Swansea | |
|---|---|
date | result |
30/04/2022 | 5-1 (w) |
11/12/2021 | 4-1 (w) |
17/02/2021 | 1-0 (L) |
23/01/2021 | 5-1 (L) |
29/11/2020 | 1-0 (L) |
15/07/2020 | 2-2(d) |
14/09/2019 | 1-0 (W) |
30/03/2019 | 2-1 (W) |
15/09/2018 | 0-0(d) |
Statistics via 11V11 | |
So here is the XI of our forest, which will challenge Swansea tonight.
GK-John Victor
The Brazilian shotstopper joined the Reds late during the summer transfer period, providing Mads Cels with the necessary backup after Carlos Miguel returned to his hometown.
He made his debut on Ange’s side tonight and hopes to insist on a regular first team role in the coming months given his busy schedule.
RB -Nicolo Savona
Nicolo Savona appeared in the forest last Saturday in a defeat against Arsenal, brought in after Murillo stepped into the first half.
The Italian should be handed over his first start tonight, helping him build the match fitness he needs to fill the void left by injured Ola Aina.
CB-Willy’s toes
The 34-year-old provided the experienced presence that was often needed in the rear.
He could offer it again tonight and partner with the young talent at the heart of the Post-Coglu backline.
CB -Jair Cunha
Jair Cunha is just one of four additional pieces made from Botafogo by Reds Hierarchy this summer, but had to spend some time before making his debut with Garibaldi.
Although he has been named only on one match-day team so far, the Cup Competition can provide a 20-year-old with the perfect start to kickstart his UK career.
LB -Oleksandr Zinchenko
The 28-year-old was a surprising late addition to Forest’s deadline.
He couldn’t make his debut against the gunners on Saturday, but like Sabona, he needs a valuable few minutes to build his fitness, given that he doesn’t have much depth in the full-back area.
CDM-Ryan Yates (C)
Ryan Yates is a player who has constantly rejected Forest’s odds and remains the only player left on the first team from the promotional award winner.
The 27-year-old hasn’t started the Premier League in 2025/26, but he could lead the sides again tonight with the armband and could potentially star alongside another summer signature.
CDM – Douglas Luiz
A great deal of excitement was created among the fanbase after Douglas Lewis’ loan signing from Juventus, but his transfer has not yet taken off given his lack of action.
The Brazilian has not yet appeared in the Reds once, but tonight could be a great opportunity for the former Aston Villastar to claim a normal starting spot.
RW-Omari Hutchinson
The brows were certainly raised when Omali Hutchinson joined Forest on a £37.5 million club record deal from Ipswichtown, but when he was removed from the Europa League squad they reached another level.
However, the youngster deserves the opportunity to appear in the Carabao Cup, and with his lack of action in the Premier League so far, it takes a valuable few minutes.
Cam – James McAtee
Former Manchester City star James McAtee was another addition to the club’s big money during the offseason. It cost a total of £30 million, including add-ons.
But like Hutchinson, he has not yet started a single game for the Reds, but can be used in ten roles ahead of the Gibbs White of South Wales.
LW-Dillara
The Reds lost 3-0 on Saturday, but winger Dyren Bakuwa was a bright spark, making a big impression on the fanbase despite being featured only 30 minutes.
He completed 100% of the passes, but also tried two dribblings. You could potentially have an opportunity to start off off in your first Reds career.
St -Arnaud Kalimuendo
Along with Bakwa, Arnaud Kalimuendo was another young star brought to the club from France. It cost £26 million from StadeRennes.
The 23-year-old had a goal score nouse that allowed him to score 18 times in all his final tournaments and could see him as a long-term alternative to Chris Wood.
Forest XI in the face of Swansea: Victor. Savona, Boly, Cunha, Zinchenko; Yates, Lewis, Hutchinson, McAtee, Bakuwa. Kalimuendo.