Yahoo News Chris Sutton makes huge Nottingham Forest call ahead of key weekend in Premier League relegation fight
Chris Sutton has made a huge call in Nottingham Forest's fight for Premier League survival. With three games to play, Forest are hanging on to their top-flight status by their fingertips - but that could be about to change.
BBC pundit Sutton believes the Reds will ease their relegation fears when they go to Sheffield United on Saturday (3pm kick-off) to play a team who already know they will be playing Championship football next season.
Top-flight survival has effectively become a three-corner fight with Forest (17th on 26 points) battling with Luton Town (18th on 25 points) and Burnley (19th on 24 points) to escape the drop.
READ MORE: Forest injury latest ahead of key Sheffield United clash
READ MORE: What Reds owner did after Olympiacos win at Aston Villa
Reds boss Nuno Espirito Santo will know there is intense pressure ahead of all three remaining matches, but the clash at Bramall Lane looks the likeliest for Forest to claim a precious victory - and Sutton agrees in his latest round of Premier League predictions.
In his latest BBC Sport column, Nottingham-born Sutton says Forest will run out 2-0 winners, adding: "This has to be seen as an open goal for Nottingham Forest.
"They did well against Manchester City last week despite being beaten, but now they need to follow that up with a repeat performance that gets them the result they need."
The former Blackburn and Celtic striker also referenced Forest's ongoing row with the FA and the Premier League over VAR after their 2-0 defeat at Everton in their last away game sparked a social media attack on referees' group PGMOL.
"Forest's focus has to be on how they play, rather than who is the referee or video assistant referee. If they can do that, they should beat a fragile-looking Sheffield United, who are already down," he said.
"The Blades played well in the first half against Newcastle last week but capitulated in the end. With 97 Premier League goals conceded already this season, it looks very likely they will end up passing the century mark there - but will it happen on Saturday?"
If this comes to fruition, Forest would move onto 29 points with a goal difference of -18 - but could already find themselves in the bottom three before kicking off at Bramall Lane. That's because Luton are in action against Everton at Kenilworth Road on Friday night, although Sutton is confident Sean Dyche's men will continue their recent good form to claim a 2-1 victory.
Burnley play Europa League hopefuls Newcastle United at the same time that Forest are in action against the Blades, with Sutton predicting a 3-3 draw at Turf Moor.
Premier League standings if Sutton predictions are correct...
17th - Nottingham Forest, GD = -18, Points = 29
18th - Luton Town, GD = -30, Points = 25
19th - Burnley, GD = -32, Points = 25
Such an outcome would mean safety is all but guaranteed for Forest as the Hatters and Clarets would need to win both of their remaining fixtures to stand a chance of staying up. Rob Edwards' side still have to play West Ham and Fulham, while Vincent Kompany's team have Tottenham before meeting Forest on the final day of the season.
