Compare this to just over twenty years ago. Nottingham Forest's were a world force in football and lifted the European Cup in 1979 and 1980. As well as adding the European Super Cup to their cabinet the following season, Forest won two Charity Shields, two League Cups, and a League championship in a two year period. It just shows how clubs can rise and fall in football. Things can go wrong just as quickly as they went right and, of course, vies-versa.

Forest have not won a league match since late October, going 12 First Division matches without a win. Since their last league success, which was an away win at Valley Parade (ironically Cardiff's last league win was there too!), Forest have also been knocked out of the F.A Cup and League Cup and the club look to have a real battle on their hands if they are to stay in this division.

Cardiff's form is The Bluebirds ended a run of 5 consecutive defeats with 3 wins on the bounce! Rotherham, Bradford City and Newport County have all been beaten by City since the F.A Cup reverse at the hands of Sheffield United and any fears of a relegation scrap after the run of defeats would now seem to be dead and buried!

As for the team news, Gary Croft is suspended for Saturday's clash after his red card against Bradford City last weekend. The England under-21 international is also banned for the games against Derby County and West Bromwich Albion, with Chris Barker expected to return to first-team affairs and fill in at left-back throughout this duration. Tony Vidmar and Daniel Gabbidon should partner each other at the heart of the Cardiff defence, meaning Spencer Prior will have to settle for a place of the substitute bench. James Collins probably won't be included in the match-day squad yet again, as Lawrence's reluctance to pick the bright prospect continues.

Martyn Margetson should remain between the sticks, with Neil Alexander on the bench. The Scotsman could be sitting alongside Jason Bowen, who is in line for a re-call to match-day affairs. Gareth Whalley, Mark Bonner, Andrew Campbell, Alan Lee and Gavin Gordon will all also be hoping to be named amongst the replacements.

Forest will be boosted by the return to fitness of John Thompson. Striker Gareth Taylor is expected to play, despite the forward carrying a knee concern, but Davy Oyen, Michael Dawson and David Johnson are all still absent.

In a tight league where the mid-table positions are separated by only a handful of points, the Bluebirds could potentially rise as high as 7th with victory tomorrow. However, defeat could see City slump into the bottom half. The visitors will be desperate for points tomorrow to end a woeful run, and get themselves out of the relegation zone. City play their main challengers for the final relegation place, Derby County, next weekend.

Bluebird to the Bone Prediction - Cardiff City 1-0 Nottingham Forest
City will find it tough tomorrow, in my opinion, with Forest desperate for points. However, with the recent return to form from tomorrow's hosts, I'll predict a tight and perhaps fortunate 1-0 victory. Robert Earnshaw to get the goal.

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