Vitor Pereira
Nottingham Forest is gearing up for a pivotal clash against relegation rivals in the capital, with a 2.15 pm kick-off scheduled. The match is a critical six-pointer at the bottom end of the Premier League table. Vitor Pereira’s side currently sits just above the relegation zone on goal difference, level on points with West Ham United, and only one point behind Tottenham Hotspur. However, Forest faces a significant setback with Jair Cunha’s foot injury sustained during the Europa League match against FC Midtjylland. This injury kept him out of last weekend’s draw with Fulham and the second leg victory over the Danish club.
Vitor Pereira said: “No, Jair has an injury. I don’t know exactly how long he will stay out but he is recovering and doing treatment. We will see what will happen because he is important for us.”
The absence of Jair Cunha means that Nottingham Forest will likely continue with a back four formation, a shift from the three-man defense that Pereira preferred when the Brazilian defender was available. The team is also awaiting the return of long-term absentee Chris Wood, who has been sidelined since October due to a knee issue. Pereira remains uncertain about Wood’s availability for the upcoming match against Aston Villa after the international break.
Vitor Pereira said: “I don’t know, I don’t know. I don’t have the information about it. But he is another leader, a fantastic player and character, and we need him for the last games.”
Nottingham Forest is coming off a strong performance against FC Midtjylland, securing a place in the Europa League quarter-finals with a 2-1 win on the night and a 3-0 victory in the penalty shootout after the tie ended 2-2 on aggregate. Despite this success, Pereira has emphasized the importance of maintaining focus in the league, acknowledging that Sunday’s match is crucial but not definitive for their survival.
Vitor Pereira said: “Of course it is important to get points from the game. But we have eight games until the end and we need to get points. We need to face the games with the mentality to get points everywhere and in all the games.”
The Reds are determined to build on their recent success and approach each of the remaining fixtures with a strong mentality. Pereira remains optimistic, despite the challenges, and believes that the team’s efforts will eventually pay off in their quest for Premier League survival.
About The Author
