Nottingham Forest should show why they are in promotion race at Hull

3pm Saturday

Hull v Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest are not attracting much attention in the Sky Bet Championship promotion betting - they are 8-1 to go up - but they have quietly climbed to within one point of the playoff places and could edge a little higher with a victory over third-bottom Hull at the KCOM Stadium.

There was a huge turnover of players at Forest this summer with manager Aitor Karanka given the funds to put together a team capable of competing at the top end.

Twelve permanent signings and six loan deals have been completed since the end of last season and the pace of change led to a few teething problems.

However, Forest remained difficult to beat – losing just two league games – and are starting to produce a few eye-catching performances and results.

They haven't lost on their league travels since September 1 and put in a couple of big away performances last month – winning 2-0 at Middlesbrough and drawing 1-1 at Leeds.

With every game Karanka's team look a little more settled and they produced one of their best performances of the season when winning 1-0 at home to Sheffield United before the international break.

Forest look well equipped to cope with Hull and end the Tigers' mini-revival of two wins and a draw from the last three games.

By far the most impressive result of that bunch was a well-deserved 1-0 victory at home to West Brom, who were suffering from a spate of injuries.

Hull may find it tougher against Forest, who look a solid wager on the draw no bet.

Recommendation
Nottingham Forest draw no bet
2pts Evs general

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Preston v Blackburn

Blackburn went into the international break on a downer after a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Rotherham. But they are having a good season on their return to the Sky Bet Championship and can pick up at least a point from their Lancashire derby against Preston at Deepdale.

Attacking midfielder Bradley Dack came to the rescue against Rotherham – levelling things up in the 81st minute – and is reportedly attracting interest from Premier League clubs.

Keeping Dack beyond January will be crucial if Rovers are to sustain a serious playoff push.

They look solid enough at the back but Dack has contributed eight of their 20 league goals and his efforts are masking Rovers' lack of firepower at centre-forward.

Dack is such a dangerous player because he makes late runs into the box and is difficult to defend against.

Preston's defence may struggle to cope and their ability to respond is minimised by injuries to key midfielder Daniel Johnson and striker Sean Maguire.

North End have climbed out of the drop zone after a seven-match unbeaten run but injuries to Johnson and Maguire may upset the balance of the side and open the door for Rovers to secure the derby spoils.

Recommendation
Blackburn +0.25 on Asian handicap
2pts 15-14 188bet

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Stevenage v MK Dons

MK Dons manager Paul Tisdale has played down the significance of his team's arrival at the Sky Bet League Two summit but his side are on a great run – taking 22 points from the last 24 – and look solid favourites to topple injury-hit Stevenage at the Lamex Stadium.

There are 28 games left on the Dons' league schedule but the markets have full confidence in Tisdale's side, who are 15-8 to win the title and 2-7 to go up.

They are nine points superior to ninth-placed Stevenage and face the Hertfordshire side at a good time.

Stevenage were hammered 4-0 at Bury last Saturday,losing the shot count 32 to six, and will be under strength this weekend with striker Kurtis Guthrie suspended and Danny Newton, Luther James-Wildin and Ben Kennedy struggling to overcome injury problems.

Recommendation
MK Dons
2pts 17-20 Betfred

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Cheltenham v Newport

Cheltenham hauled themselves out of the Sky Bet League Two drop zone with a 3-0 victory at fellow strugglers Notts County last Saturday and can claim a more significant scalp this week by beating third-placed Newport at Whaddon Road.

There has been a slow but steady improvement in Cheltenham's performances since Michael Duff was appointed manager in September.

They drew 2-2 with Mansfield in their last home league game – conceding an injury-time equaliser – and may have better luck against Newport, who have taken just two points from their last four away league matches.

Recommendation
Cheltenham
1pt 2-1 Betway

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

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