Nuno must axe Morato & unleash “brilliant” Nottingham Forest star instead

Nottingham Forest face Everton at the City Ground this afternoon looking to move one step closer to securing Champions League football for the first time in a generation.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s side will be looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League after falling to a 2-1 defeat against fellow European hopefuls Aston Villa last weekend.

The Reds will be coming up against a tough opposition, with David Moyes’ side only losing one of their last eight games in the league, coming in the Merseyside Derby against Liverpool ten days ago.

After the spirited display shown by his side in the second half last weekend at Villa Park, it remains unclear what changes Nuno will make to his side to give themselves the best chance of claiming all three points.

However, the boss has already provided an update on some of the current first-team players who are sat on the sidelines, with it remaining to be seen if any will return for the clash with the Toffees.

Nuno on the chances of any injured players returning v Everton

Ahead of this afternoon’s meeting, the 51-year-old met the media, and was questioned about the fitness of the likes of Anthony Elanga, who was replaced at half-time, with Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi both missing the defeat.

The manager stated that the club were “assessing” the players, but remained tight-lipped about whether they would return for the clash at the City Ground.

Ola Aina is a player who is once again expected to miss out with the calf problem he sustained in the win against Manchester United, with Alex Moreno likely to return having missed the game at the weekend against his parent club.

Nuno has a huge call as to whether to return to the back four, which he’s so often utilised this campaign, or stick with the back five which he opted for against Unai Emery’s side.

However, regardless of the fitness of players or the system he selects, one player must be dropped, subsequently being replaced by a player who deserves a rare start.

The player who must replace Morato against Everton

Brazilian centre-back Morato has been the go-to man to come on late on in matches to see out a victory alongside Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo at the back.

The 23-year-old was handed just his fifth league start of the campaign in the West Midlands last Saturday, but failed to take advantage of the chance handed his way.

He was caught out by a long ball over the top, with Morgan Rogers darting beyond him in behind and putting the hosts a goal up within the first quarter of an hour.

After such a mistake, Nuno may look to drop the former Benfica ace and hand a start to winger Jota Silva, who impressed off the bench after coming on at the break in place of Elanga.

Such a decision would require a reshuffle at the back, but after his showing against the Villans, the 25-year-old is deserving of an opportunity to start from the off.

Silva, who’s been labelled “brilliant” by journalist Jamie Martin, found the net for the Reds’ only goal, proving to be a real menace at the top end – running the opposition backline ragged.

He created one other chance for his teammates, whilst also completing two passes into the final third – thriving with the opportunity to star in a central role.

Like Morato, he’s been restricted to minimal starts, only achieving a total of four in 2024/25, but given his showing seven days ago, he needs to be in the starting lineup.

With it unclear how fit Wood and Awoniyi are this afternoon, the Portuguese star should be the man to deputise in the absence of the two first-choice centre-forwards.

Today is a huge day for Forest, needing to win their home games if they are to secure Champions League football, with Silva having the chance to make himself a hero at the City Ground this afternoon.