Nottingham Forest Eyes Critical Match Against Leicester Amid Injury Concerns

NOTTINGHAM, England — Nottingham Forest defender Murillo was taken off with a thigh injury during a match against Crystal Palace on Monday. His status for this weekend’s game against Leicester City is uncertain, but he has returned to training, raising hopes he might play.

Head coach Nuno Espírito Santo said Murillo’s injury is being assessed. “He’s in pain but we’ll assess him closer to the game,” he shared. Meanwhile, midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi is still sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Leicester City, struggling at the bottom of the Premier League, has its own injury woes. Facundo Buonanotte is back after completing concussion protocols, but other key players like Ricardo Pereira and Stephy Mavididi are unlikely to play again this season due to ongoing injuries.

The two teams face off in what many consider a must-win match for Nottingham Forest. Currently, Forest is fighting for a Champions League spot, sitting in sixth place, two points behind Chelsea.

Leicester, coached by Ruud van Nistelrooy, recently secured a win against Southampton, but remains low in morale and position. “Our win last week was a step forward, but we need to keep pushing,” Van Nistelrooy remarked.

Forest’s recent form is concerning as they have lost their last two home games and drew with Palace last time out. To boost their chances of a top-five finish, a win against Leicester is critical.

In their last encounter on October 25, 2024, Forest triumphed 3-1 over Leicester. Fans hope for a repeat performance in this upcoming clash, as Forest aims to cement its place in European competitions next season.