Boss Vitor Pereira will look to continue Nottingham Forestresurgence and take a big step towards security in SunderlandEdit on Friday (20:00 BST).
Forest are third in the form table over their last five games, behind Brighton and Manchester City, after moving away from the Premier League relegation zone.
Their 10 goals in the last five games also represent the best attack in the league during that period, while, since Pereira replaced Sean Dyche, Forest have conceded seven goals in seven league games, the fifth-best attack in the league.
It has left them five points ahead of the bottom three and with the opportunity to move eight points ahead at the Stadium of Light to put pressure on Tottenham and West Ham for the last relegation spot.
Since Pereira took charge, Forest’s goals per game in the Premier League have increased by 64%, from 0.96 to 1.57, and they are now creating 30% more big chances, converting 75% more of them, according to Goalpoint analysis.
In a clear picture of how the style has changed under Pereira, crosses from open play have decreased by 31% and deep crosses have decreased by 29%, but shots from long passes have increased by 31%.
Defensively, Forest’s errors leading to shots were reduced by 23% and they also allowed fewer shots inside the box with successful tackles down to 10% under Pereira.
Expected goals (xG) conceded has gone from 1.5 to 1.2 and, with five games remaining, Forest will look to maintain their form to seal survival.