Nottingham Forest predicted XI vs Wolves as Nuno makes three big decisions
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo will have plenty to mull over throughout the next week as Nottingham Forest prepare for their first game of 2025.
The Reds made it five wins on the spin with their 2-0 victory over Everton on Sunday to see out the calendar year in style. They are now not in action again until they visit Wolverhampton Wanders on Monday, January 6 (8pm kick-off).
Nuno will hope to have defenders Murillo and Alex Moreno and winger Callum Hudson-Odoi available again by then. Moreno and Hudson-Odoi were not included in the match squad at Goodison Park due to picking up slight knocks while Murillo had to withdraw from the starting XI after feeling his adductor during the warm-up.
Skipper Ryan Yates will certainly be back in contention to face Wolves. A one-match ban for his fifth booking of the season ruled him out of the trip to Merseyside, but whether he gets straight back into the starting XI is a different matter.
Nuno has decisions to make all over the pitch ahead of the Molineux clash. The win over the Toffees will have given him lots of food for thought.
Prior to Murillo pulling up ahead of kick-off, Forest were planning to start with a back three against Sean Dyche’s side. The Brazilian would have lined up alongside countryman Morato and Nikola Milenkovic.
When a decision was taken not to risk Murillo, Nuno opted to revert to a four-man defence and bring in wide man Ramon Sosa for his first Premier League start. Morato was superb alongside Milenkovic and made a strong case to retain his starting spot.
Could Nuno return to the idea of starting with the trio of Milenkovic, Murillo and Morato in the West Midlands? Assuming he is fit - and the centre-back has said his injury was not a serious one - it seems likely Murillo will return to the line-up. The big question is whether his fellow Brazilian will be there alongside him.
Full-back Moreno, meanwhile, faces a fight to win back his shirt regardless of whether he gets the green light to be involved against Wolves. Neco Williams has been superb at left-back of late.
In midfield, Nuno must decide whether to recall Yates to the team. Elliot Anderson and Nicolas Dominguez proved an effective combination to help see off Everton. And if the Reds boss does consider deploying a three-man defence that would have an impact on selection in the centre of the pitch as well.
READ MORE: December’s issue of Women’s Football News: All your WSL news plus a Lioness Special
READ MORE: Nottingham Forest transfer news latest as Reds 'ready to move' for £25m ace and contract risk clear
Elsewhere, Sosa gave a good account of himself in the absence of Hudson-Odoi. The summer signing almost got on the scoresheet and proved he can be relied upon to do a job as and when required. Hudson-Odoi has been a big performer in the Garibaldi, though, so will likely return to the line-up if he is fit.
On the opposite flank, Anthony Elanga appears to have turned a corner with his form. He is now flying and full of confidence, having a hand in both goals at the weekend. It means Jota Silva will likely need to be patient as he waits for his next start.
Forest predicted XI to face Wolves: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood.
