Nottinghamshire

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

In the battle at the bottom, Wolves and Burnley are all but down barring a footballing miracle, which leaves one spot that is likely to be filled by one of Leeds, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest and West Ham.

With the most points on the board already, Leeds have the kindest run-in on paper, with just one game against a side from the top six (Manchester United on 13 April) and home games against both of the bottom two.

Meanwhile, it would seem like West Ham are the most likely to be relegated as not only do they currently sit in the bottom three, they also have the toughest run-in of the four sides.

However, the reason why Tottenham and Nottingham Forest fans have reason to be nervous is that the Hammers' performances have improved considerably under Nuno Espirito Santo's guidance in recent weeks.

Only four Premier League teams have taken more points from their past eight games than the east Londoners (14) and only four teams have a higher expected goal difference in that time, suggesting the upturn has not been down to luck.

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The team at BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast have been digging into the shooting stats for Forest this season.

Commentator Colin Fray has pointed to some alarming statistics and improving them could prove critical in the fight to stay in the Premier League.

Forest have had 89 shots at goal in their last five home Premier League games, scoring once.

Fray explained: "Do you count that as a chance? Most stats people would say no - there's a shot and a chance. The chance number will always be lower.

"But I think it always highlights the fact Forest are not converting opportunities in the game into chances.

"Yes it's about missing shots and chances if they are creating them but it's also about the chance to create more.

"The stats show where the problems have been this season. They have had a lot of problems on and off the pitch.

"They have 13 home goals in 14 Premier League games. Only one in the last five - the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace. Within those five, 89 shots on goal, 19 of which on target. That's 70 off target across those five games and only one goal scored.

"One of the alarming stats - 13 home goals is the lowest in the league. With away goals added - 28 in total - it's the second lowest in the league.

"Even more alarming, of the 13 goals they have at home this season, nine have come in three games. Which means that across the other 11, they have only scored four. From 14 games, they have returned eight blanks. There are all sorts of stats that show where some of Forest's problems have been this season."

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Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham before Sunday's Premier League game against Fulham at The City Ground (kick-off 14:00 GMT).

You can listen to build up and live commentary from BBC Radio Nottingham from 13:00 GMT on 103.8 and 95.5fm, DAB and BBC Sounds.

Here are the key lines from Pereira's news conference:

• Pereira acknowledged it will be "a tough game" on Sunday after their midweek defeat, but added: "Now it's time to recover, time to prepare, keeping the spirit of the players, keeping in the mentality and tactically try to prepare in the best way this game."

• On the pattern of Forest losing matches or dropping points after a good result: "You know, in football we can control what we do, our efforts, our energy, what we put on the pitch. But the result, sometimes football is not fair, it's not fair, but we must be strong inside to react and to come again. I will keep this spirit in my team for sure."

• He continued: "Next game, we will try everything to win the game. Some corrections, of course, we need to do it, but keeping the spirit, keeping the mentality because the players they did everything to win the last game [against Midtjylland]. We are losing 1-0 in half time, now it's time to put our focus in the league game against Fulham."

• Capitalising on home advantage is "important", but Pereira says they "proved in the last game against [Manchester] City that we can get points everywhere, everywhere". Pereira added: "With the spirit that I see in my players and with the organisation, we believe we can get points everywhere. But we play home in front of our supporters and we need a win. We need a win to celebrate with them."

• On opponents Fulham and Portuguese compatriot Marco Silva: "I know him very well. He's doing fantastic work in the Premier League. He has been with this club for a long time. It means it's a different situation between him and me. But now I believe that we can compete and we can compete for the three points"

• The Forest boss continued: "Now it's time to clean our minds, to rest, recover and be ready in three days to fight again, to fight with our qualities."

Listen to full commentary of Nottingham Forest v Fulham on Sunday from 14:00 GMT on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra on BBC Sounds

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Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Thursday's Europa League last-16 first leg beteen Nottingham Forest and Midtjylland.

Here are some of your comments:

Sean: A common theme of our season, regardless of manager, has been that we have been really good to watch, with great attacking play, at times, but we can't take our chances. It's not acceptable any more. We need to score, or we win nothing and we go down. The amount of passes we had in their penalty area without getting a shot away, when it would have been simpler to shoot, is nothing short of ridiculous. You could make a case for poor conditions, but Midtjylland had the same conditions and they took their chance. We need to be more clinical. Take note, Ange... I mean, Sean... I mean, Vitor!

Jonathan: That sums up our season. Even when we play well, there aren't enough goals in the team. Poor defending gives away a free header and a game we dominated is lost.

Tim: Three months since Forest won at home, so wasn't expecting much. We aren't great when teams sit back and let us have the ball. Might do better at their place, but now they can sit back there too. Fulham will do the same on Sunday, which doesn't bode well.

Gaz: Moved the ball too slowly and toothless up front. That's exactly the type of performance that's got us into this situation in the league. Far too inconsistent. And Morato, I'm sorry to say, is a liability.

Ian: Hard luck actually - we played very well and we just needed a bit of luck. No complaints with team selection or substitutions as we needed to give rest to some players. We are certainly playing well enough so keep it going - the tide will turn!

Bobbie Jackson
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Vitor Pereira became Forest's fourth manager of the season in February when he was parachuted in to rescue them from a relegation battle, with progress in Europe regarded as a bonus.

The Portuguese hit the ground running with a win over Fenerbahce in his first game but has been unable to build further momentum - failing to win any of the following five matches across all competitions.

He had eight days to prepare his players for the last-16 first leg following a 2-2 draw against Manchester City in their previous game and their performance, if not the result, suggested that additional training time has been beneficial.

Forest played with confidence that defied the fact they have won just one of their last eight games in all competitions - but ultimately they left the field with a familiar feeling of frustration.

Elliot Anderson was the standout performer and looked every part the player he did when helping Forest to qualify for Europe last season.

Morgan Gibbs-White was full of energy and Omari Hutchinson - brought in as one of three changes from the draw at City - also caught the eye.

Midtjylland, who beat Forest 3-2 in the league phase of the competition and finished third in the overall standings, were happy to play on the counter-attack and had several warnings from the referee for time-wasting.

The Danish side rode their luck but took their opportunity when it arrived with impressive ruthlessness while Forest - who had 22 attempts at goal - had nothing to show from a dominant performance.

Nottingham Forest manager Vítor Pereira, speaking to TNT Sports after the 1-0 defeat by Midtjylland: "It is difficult to explain. We created so many chances to score. Even if we did draw, it would not have been fair. They had two chances, and they scored. But we had enough time and the game was there. We had the quality to win."

On Midtjylland's threat: "We did everything we could to score. We were just missing the goals. It is frustrating that we did not score. But I am happy with my players and the supporters and we will try to keep the spirit and prepare for our next games."

On preparing players: "Even the rain played against us! We created good dynamics and chances to score, but the rain came and it was difficult. We will keep the spirits and go next time with the mentality to win the game."

On next steps: "Now is time to rest and recover, and then compete for three points against Fulham. We will be ready in three days."

You can listen to more from Pereira on BBC Sounds

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

What did you make of Nottingham Forest's display?

Come back on Friday for a selection of your replies

Vitor Pereira makes three changes to the Nottingham Forest side that drew 2-2 at Manchester City in the Premier League eight days ago.

Morato, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Omari Hutchinson come into the starting eleven with Nikola Milkenkovic, Ibrahim Sangare and Neco Williams dropping to the bench.

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Murillo, Morato, Cunha, Aina; Dominguez, Anderson, Gibbs-White; Hudson-Odoi, Igor Jesus, Hutchinson

Subs: Williams, Sangare, Gunn, Lucca, Yates, McAtee, Bakwa, Milenkovic, Abbott, Willows

Midtjylland advanced to the final of the Danish Cup in their most recent outing on Sunday and boss Mike Tullberg makes two changes.

Denil Castillo replaces suspended winger Dario Osorio and Ousmane Diao takes Lee Han-beom's place in defence.

Top scorer Franculino remains on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Midtjylland XI: Olafsson, Jensen, Bech, Erlic, Diao; Bravo, Billing, Castillo; Simsir, Brumado, Mbabu

Subs: Lossl, Han-beom, Gue-sung, Gabriel, Chilufya, Uhre, Byskov, Ze, Ugboh