AFC Bournemouth take on Nottingham Forest in a crucial game at Vitality Stadium in the hunt for promotion to the Premier League
Nights under the lights at Vitality Stadium don’t get much bigger than Tuesday night's promotion face-off. Second place Bournemouth take on third place Nottingham Forest where a win for the Cherries will send them back to the Premier League.
This fixture was originally postponed due to damage to the Vitality Stadium caused by storm Eunice, The new date meaning the fixture takes on significantly more meaning given the position of the two teams in the table.
Nottingham Forest come into the game on a rich run of form, having won four of their last five matches. Steve Cooper’s side have had a fantastic campaign since he took over and many feel they deserve their spot in the Premier League. Forest were stuck to the bottom of the table when Cooper took over in September and lost six of their opening seven games of the campaign.
The Cherries sat 19 points clear of Forest on October 30 after extending their unbeaten run to 15 league games in what was a record breaking start to the season for Scott Parker's side. With just three points now seperating the clubs going into the final week of the season both sides will be playing for the final automatic promotion spot after Fulham clinched the title in style against Luton on Monday.
Should Forest win, they will go level on points with Bournemouth heading into the final day, however a superior goal difference will leave Cooper's side in a much more comfortable position, knowing the control would switch into their hands.
It’s a fixture with more storylines than just promotion though. Steve Cook will make his first return to the Dorset coast since his move to Forest in the January transfer window. The former Cherries captain is set to have a testimonial at the Vitality later in the year, but for now his sights will be firmly set on helping Forest secure a win and promotion back to the Premier League for the first time since 1999.
Cook will not be the only former Cherries player on show as Ferndown-raised Sam Surridge will be looking to make a mark on his return to Vitality Stadium. The striker is in good form having netted five goals in his last four games including a hat-trick against Swansea last time out.
Parker will be able to draw on his own in-form striker though, with Domininc Solanke also netting five times in his last four appearances. The Cherries' number nine has 30 goals in all competitions this season and his prolific form will be vital to any success on Tuesday night.
The return of Kieffer Moore and Jordan Zemura from injury in recent matches has also been a huge boost for Parker's squad as the season enters its final week, meaning the Cherries boss has a near fully fit squad to select from. Only Leif Davis and Junior Stanislas are missing.
For Forest, star man and former Cherries striker, Lewis Grabban, remains out.
Parker has been praised recently for his much improved in game management compared to the start of the season, coupled with good momentum for the Cherries, they are as ready as they’ll ever be for this toughest of challenges.
Promotion pending? Follow us on Twitter @nerve_sport for live updates from Vitality Stadium throughout the match.