The City Ground will play host to the game between Nottingham Forest and Hull City on Saturday afternoon, with the home side looking to win in front of their home fans for the first time in over a month.

Hull City have only recorded draws in their last two games, but they travel to the East Midlands sitting in a playoff position.

Nottingham Forest

© Getty Images

Nottingham Forest may have only recorded 12 points from their first nine league games, but Dougie Freedman and his first-team squad will be relatively content with their start to the season.

They have lost the same number of games that they have won, but two of their three defeats have come against Brighton & Hove Albion and Middlesbrough - the top two clubs in the Championship - while the other came against sixth-placed Cardiff City.

Freedman will have bigger aspirations than the 11th position that they currently occupy, but they are within one victory of Reading, who sit in third, while they have played more fixtures away from home than they have at the City Ground.

That said, it is their return in the East Midlands that has proven their downfall so far. Forest have recorded just four points from four games, with their only win in front of their own supporters coming on the second weekend of the season.

With their next five home games all coming against sides above them in the table, things will get no easier for Forest, but three points against Hull on Saturday may provide them with the belief to get over the line at home during the course of the next two months.

Recent form: DLLWLD

Hull City

© Getty Images

Hull go into the final game before the October international break in fourth place in the Championship table, but there will be an element of disappointment at the KC Stadium after failing to build on their promising start.

Only a glaring error from goalkeeper Allan McGregor against Wolverhampton Wanderers prevented the Tigers from recording three successive wins in August, but since that fixture, they have won just three of their following seven contests.

Manager Steve Bruce will feel as though they should be within touching distance of the top two, though. His team conceded a 98th-minute goal at Charlton Athletic to lose 2-1, while they also let in an injury-time equaliser against Blackburn Rovers last weekend.

However, Hull are unbeaten in their last three, while they did claim a 1-0 win over Premier League Swansea City in the League Cup. Bruce will also be encouraged by the goal return of striker Abel Hernandez, who has struck twice in his last three appearances.

The Hull boss has predicted improvements from his team over the coming weeks, and the return of Jake Livermore in the centre of midfield may be the spark that they require to put together wins on a consistent basis.

Recent form: LWLWDD
Recent form (all competitions): WLWDWD

Team News

© Getty Images

Forest defender Matt Mills could be recalled to the team after recently picking up a hamstring problem against Middlesbrough.

That could be the only change to the team that drew at Huddersfield Town last time out, although Nelson Oliveira is pushing for a start in attack.

Livermore is expected to make his first Championship start of the season after recent off-the-field problems.

Winger Shaun Maloney could also play after making an impression off the bench against Blackburn, while Chuba Akpom may start against a club where he spent part of last season on loan.

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
De Vries; Lichaj, Wilson, Hobbs, Pinillos, Mancienne; Oliveira, Lansbury, Vaughan, Mendes, O'Grady

Hull City possible starting lineup:
McGregor, Odubajo, Dawson, Davies, Robertson, Elmohamady, Huddlestone, Livermore, Maloney, Akpom, Hernandez

Head To Head

Forest and Hull have previously met 60 times, with Forest prevailing on 28 occasions compared to Hull claiming 24 victories.

Forest won the last match between the two sides in March 2013, winning 2-1 at the KC Stadium, but Hull have been successful on their last three visits to the City Ground.

Video Preview

Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:

We say: Nottingham Forest 2-2 Hull City

With neither side showing much consistency over recent weeks, this match has the potential to throw up any scoreline. We have decided to back the score draw, with Forest requiring a home performance to ease the frustration of their fans and Hull possessing plenty of firepower and creativity in their ranks.

Previews by email