Nottingham Forest predicted XI vs Fulham as Dyche eyes third straight win

Nottingham Forest will be aiming to make it three wins in a row for the second time under Sean Dyche when they head to London to take on Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday evening. Confidence is growing around the City Ground following a strong run of results, and the Reds now have an opportunity to reinforce that progress in the Premier League.

Dyche oversaw a hat-trick of victories across all competitions earlier in his reign, and his side are now one win away from repeating that feat. A Europa League success over Utrecht last week was followed by a convincing 3–0 home victory against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, a performance that underlined Forest’s improving balance and intensity.

With a full week to prepare, Dyche will hope the extra rest has allowed his squad to recover and sharpen up ahead of another demanding away fixture.

Forest will be forced into at least one change for the clash with Fulham due to Ibrahim Sangaré’s departure for the Africa Cup of Nations. The midfielder has formed an effective partnership with Elliot Anderson in recent weeks, but his absence opens the door for Douglas Luiz.

The Juventus loanee has only recently returned from a hamstring issue, yet the free week has come at an ideal time for him to build fitness in training. He appears the most natural replacement to slot into midfield alongside Anderson.

Nicolás Domínguez will also be pushing for involvement. The Argentine missed the Spurs win as a precaution after a minor knee problem, but he is expected to be available again and could provide Dyche with another option if he opts for rotation.

Forest are set to receive a lift in goal, with Matz Sels expected to return after missing the Tottenham match through injury. His absence handed John Victor a Premier League debut, and while the Brazilian impressed with a clean sheet, Sels is likely to reclaim his place between the posts.

In defence, Dyche faces a decision over whether to freshen things up or stick with a settled unit. Nicolo Savona has started regularly of late and could be due a rest, potentially allowing Oleksandr Zinchenko to come in at left-back. That change would see Neco Williams switch over to the right side.

Further forward, Dyche must decide how much to alter a winning side. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Omari Hutchinson were both excellent against Spurs, making it difficult for Dan Ndoye to force his way back into the starting XI.

Dilane Bakwa remains on the fringes after returning from injury. Having been an unused substitute in the last two matches, it appears more likely his first minutes will come from the bench rather than a start.

Morgan Gibbs-White continues to be central to Forest’s attacking play and should again operate behind the striker, with Gabriel Jesus expected to lead the line as Forest look to stretch Fulham’s defence.

Sels; Savona, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Luiz, Anderson; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus.

Nottingham Forest face Fulham away at Craven Cottage on Monday night, with an 8pm kick-off. A win would further cement Dyche’s early impact and strengthen Forest’s position heading into the festive schedule.

👉 Forest fans — would you stick with the Spurs-winning XI or rotate with fresh legs?