Ipswich Town vs Nottingham Forest: O'Neil switches system, Forest search for a win

Why this fixture is trending

Ipswich Town host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Friday night, kicking off at 20:00 BST, and the build-up has been dominated by news off the ball rather than a score, since the game has not been played yet. Ipswich manager Gary O'Neil has switched his side to a back four for the match, a change he explained before kickoff. Forest arrive in a different kind of trouble, sitting 19th in the table after losing three straight games under manager Oliver Glasner. Ipswich are 10th with three wins from their first seven matches. Interest around this one is high because both sides have something to prove tonight, not because of anything that has happened on the pitch.

O'Neil explains the switch to a back four

O'Neil told Sky Sports the new shape "allows us to get more attacking players on the pitch," though he cautioned Ipswich would not play a straight back four for the full 90 minutes. "At times we'll look like a back five," he said. O'Neil pointed to Forest's direct style and speed in transition as the reason for the change, saying Ipswich need to be secure with the ball because they will lose it at times against a team that gets to goal quickly. He also flagged Forest's set pieces as a key battle. O'Neil called it a different kind of test than Ipswich have faced so far this season, one he hopes his players pass.

Forest's form puts pressure on Glasner

Forest's three straight losses have left them 19th, and pundits on BBC Radio 5 Live framed the match as a turning point for Glasner. Former Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan said Forest's performances have been competitive without the results, calling it "a big moment for Forest and Oliver" to move forward. Former Premier League midfielder Don Hutchison said Forest's starting eleven is strong even if the bench lacks depth, adding Forest are "a win away from being on a roll." Both pundits pointed to Glasner's methods as a reason for optimism despite the run of results.

What's at stake for both sides

Ipswich arrive off a performance, not just a result. They lost 3-2 at Manchester City last week, a game O'Neil said showed his side's togetherness and resilience against Enzo Maresca's team. That performance is part of why Ipswich sit 10th despite only three wins. Forest, by contrast, need something to show for performances pundits describe as competitive. A win would move Forest out of the bottom three and give Glasner a signature result since the losing run began. Kickoff is 20:00 BST, with BBC Radio 5 Live and Sky Sports both covering the build-up.

Facts per BBC, Sky Sports. Opinion is the taproom's.