Nottingham Forest head to Portman Road on Friday evening under pressure after a difficult start to the season, with manager Oliver Glasner still searching for a first home goal and a settled line-up. The fixture, against an Ipswich side who have surprised many with their early wins, carries consequences for Forest’s attempt to arrest a worrying run of form.
Match essentials and context
The game kicks off at 8pm BST on Friday, 23 October, at Portman Road. It will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage beginning at 7.30pm; radio commentary is provided by TalkSPORT.
| Fixture | Ipswich v Nottingham Forest |
| Date & time | Friday 23 October, 8pm BST |
| TV | Sky Sports Main Event / Sky Sports Premier League |
Form and league position
Ipswich have made a positive start, already matching some of their recent top-flight success with several home wins; they have three victories so far this season. By contrast, Nottingham Forest enter the match with five points from seven games and a goal difference of -4, leaving them second bottom in the early table.
Forest’s troubles at the City Ground are notable: they have not scored in their four home matches to date, a statistic that underlines the urgency in Glasner’s side to find a cutting edge away from home.
Team news — key selection issues
In defence of Forest’s options, there are a number of availability concerns that will influence selection:
- Igor Jesus is sidelined with a calf injury and is expected to be out until the end of the month. His absence leaves a slim forward line.
- Liam Delap is likely to lead the line as the nominal lone striker, with Chris Wood available as support from the bench.
- Morgan Gibbs-White missed the recent defeat to Arsenal with a muscle problem but is close to returning; his fitness will determine whether he operates behind the striker or remains rested, which would keep Nicolas Domínguez in the side.
On the Ipswich side, the hosts have their own returnees and absentees worth noting: Sasa Lukic missed the 3-2 defeat at Manchester City with a groin issue but is expected to be available, potentially restoring his midfield partnership with Exequiel Palacios. Jack Taylor remains out with a knee injury and has yet to feature this season. Abdul Fatawu is back from suspension and is competing with Daizen Maeda for a wide role.
Tactical considerations and likely XI implications
Ipswich manager Gary O’Neil adopted a back three against Manchester City and could replicate that system at Portman Road, which would deploy wing-backs and test Forest’s defensive organisation on the flanks. If Forest have Morgan Gibbs-White fit, he is expected to play in the number ten role with James McAtee dropping into midfield; if Gibbs-White is not involved, Nicolas Domínguez is likely to keep his place.
For Forest, the absence of a regular frontman in Igor Jesus forces Glasner into selection decisions that emphasise physical presence and link-up play through Delap and Wood. That approach will be tested by Ipswich’s momentum and home form.
What’s at stake locally
A victory would provide Nottingham Forest with much-needed breathing space and confidence as Glasner seeks to steady a side yet to rediscover scoring form at the City Ground. Conversely, another poor result would heap pressure on the manager early in his tenure and deepen concern among supporters over the club’s capacity to compete in the Premier League this season.
Forest go to Suffolk seeking goals and points after a start that has left them near the foot of the table; team selection will depend on late fitness checks, notably for Morgan Gibbs-White.
Supporters in Nottingham will be watching closely: the decisions made by Glasner and the performances of players such as Delap, Gibbs-White and McAtee could shape the club’s short-term fortunes.
