Nottingham Forest will be hoping to close the gap back to the top of the table when they host Blackburn Rovers in the Championship this weekend.

Stuart Pearce's side had slipped down to sixth after failing to secure a win in their last six outings, which included a 2-2 draw with Watford earlier this week.

Michail Antonio is likely to continue up front after scoring both of the side's goals in their match against the Hornets, while Britt Assombalonga could score his 10th league goal of the season this weekend.

While the manager has been hampered by injuries and suspension in recent weeks, there are no new absentees for this match, while Henri Lansbury will be eligible to return after serving a suspension for picking up five yellow cards.

Meanwhile, Blackburn's mixed form in recent weeks has left them sitting mid-table, with 19 points from their opening 13 fixtures.

A solitary goal from Ben Marshall was enough for the club to secure all three points against managerless Birmingham City earlier this week, giving them their first win in five games.

Gary Bowyer will be able to add Matthew Kilgallon back into his squad after he served a suspension on Tuesday, while club captain Grant Hanley is expected to be ready after recovering from a knee injury sustained while on international duty with Scotland earlier this month.

Last season, Forest won both of their matches against Blackburn, thrashing Rovers 4-1 at the City Ground.

Recent form

Forest: DDDDLD

Blackburn: WDLDDW

Possible starting lineups

Forest: Darlow, Lichaj, Mancienne, Wilson, Harding, Vaughan, Tesche, Osborn, Lansbury, Assaombalonga, Antonio

Blackburn: Steele, Henley, Baptiste, Hanley, Olsson, Cairney, Williamson, Kilgallon, Marshall, Rhodes, Gestede

Sports Mole says: 2-0

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