Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match between Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough in the Championship.

While much of the attention over the next couple of hours will be what is happening at Stamford Bridge between Chelsea and Arsenal, two of the form teams in the Championship do battle at the City Ground. Forest come into this fixture with two successive away wins to their name, while Middlesbrough have won four in a row in all competitions. This should be a quality game!

Without further ado, we will take a look at the two starting lineups.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST XI: De Vries, Lichaj, Mills, Wilson, Pinillos, Osborn, Lansbury, Vaughan, Mendes, Oliveira, O'Grady

MIDDLESBROUGH XI: Konstantopoulos, Nsue, Ayala, Gibson, Friend, Adomah, Leadbitter, Clayton, Downing, Nugent, Stuani

NOTTINGHAM FOREST SUBSTITUTES: Evtimov, Ward, Williams, Blackstock, Hobbs, C.Burke, Grant

MIDDLESBROUGH SUBSTITUTES: Mejias, Kike, De Pena, Kalas, Fabbrini, Amorebieta, Forshaw

Despite their victory at Birmingham City in midweek, Forest boss Dougie Freedman has made four changes to his side, with Dexter Blackstock the surprise absentee, who has been replaced by Chris O'Grady. Jamie Ward, Chris Burke and Kyle Ebecilio have also dropped out of the side, with David Vaughan, Ryan Mendes and Nelson Oliveira being handed starting roles.

As for Middlesbrough, head coach Aitor Karanka has welcomed back Ben Gibson from injury, with the England Under-21 international replacing Fernando Amorebieta. The other change sees Albert Adomah make his return to the side, just a month after handing in a transfer request, with Diego Fabbrini only earning a place on the substitutes' bench.

Interested in hearing what two of the Sports Mole crew have to say on this afternoon's clash? Of course you are. Do you agree with their prediction?

PREDICTION! Given that Middlesbrough have won four on the bounce and have only lost once in all competitions this season, it's hard to back against them. Forest have built some momentum but it remains to be seen ho their four alterations in midfield and attack will work out against arguably the best defence in the division. Middlesbrough to sneak it 2-1.

The players are beginning to line up in the tunnel. It's worth noting that Boro can move to within two points of leaders Brighton should they win this afternoon, but if Forest emerge victorious, they will move level with the visitors. However, a seven-goal swing will need to take place if Forest are to move clear of the North-East outfit.

It's far from a sellout at the City Ground but the Forest are given a rapturous reception by their supporters. It has been a while since their team were producing the goods on the pitch and the excitement is undoubtedly building in Nottingham after they triumphs at both Queens Park Rangers and Birmingham City.

It's Nottingham Forest who get us underway in the East Midlands.

What a start for Middlesbrough! They have been under pressure for the majority of the early stages but after gaining possession for the first time, George Friend whipped a low cross in from the left and David Nugent was on hand to flick the ball into the bottom corner from inside the six-yard box.

Aside from the goal, Forest have completely dominated possession, with the ball spending most of the time down either flank. Nelson Oliveira, on loan from Benfica, is the first to get a shot away but after a neat turn on the edge of the box, his volley was deflected over the crossbar.

I have to be honest, I wasn't expecting too many goals from this contest but we have had two in the first seven minutes! A corner from the right from Henri Lansbury finds Matt Mills, who connects sweetly with a volley and directs it into the roof of the net from eight yards. Poor marking from George Friend. The City Ground is rocking!

BOOKING! David Nugent is the first man into the referee's notebook for a late challenge when attempting to close down a clearance.

CHANCE! It should be 2-1. Forest were lacking numbers in defence and that gave Stewart Downing the chance to run onto a through-ball. He has half of the length of the pitch to run but after getting to within 12 yards out, he should score. Instead, Dorus de Vries sticks out a leg and makes the all-important intervention.

Finally, everyone can take a breath. It has been a rip-roaring opening and although the goal-mouth action has stopped for now, both teams are showing plenty of ambition to get forward. This game definitely won't stay 1-1. Famous last words...

SUBSTITUTION! This is a huge blow for Forest. It looks as though Matt Mills has damaged his hamstring and he has been immediately withdrawn for Jack Hobbs.

BOOKING! Kelvin Wilson hacks down Nugent on the touchline and the referee has an easy decision to make regarding his yellow card. Nugent has been everywhere in this match and the Forest backline are struggling to cope. The former Leicester City striker seems determined to get one over his former club's East Midlands rivals.

CHANCE! It is that man Nugent again. The former England international lets fly with a well-struck volley from 14 yards, which forces a super save out of De Vries. The rebound falls to Albert Adomah, who sees his side-footed effort well blocked by the Dutch stopper.

Forest are still enjoying their fair share of the ball but they need to adopt a more patient approach. Too often, they are trying to force things and it is resulting in Middlesbrough pushing men forward in search of a second goal.

While Nelson Oliveira has been lively, we haven't seen much of his strike partner Chris O'Grady, who is making a few mistakes. The forward, on loan from Brighton, has contributed on the road over the past seven days, but he seems too eager to impress on his first appearance in front of his new club's fans.

Middlesbrough are back in front but it's abysmal defending from Forest. Firstly, they are slow to react to a short-corner routine from Boro, who eventually crossed the ball into the box. A header from Forest defender Kelvin Wilson goes back towards his own goal and Daniel Ayala is there to head into the corner.

SHOT! Eric Lichaj hasn't scored for Forest in 79 appearances, but he very nearly finds the back of the net with a 20-yard strike that forces a finger-tip save out of Dimi Konstantopoulos. From the resulting corner, Jack Hobbs headed over from eight yards, despite being under no pressure.

With just seven minutes to go until half time, Middlesbrough are looking to boss possession in an attempt to keep their lead intact. No-one can blame them, both teams have put a lot into this opening 38 minutes.

Forest have already lost one of their defenders in the first half, and now it looks like Middlesbrough could lose their star centre-back too. Daniel Ayala has slipped awkwardly inside the penalty area and has done damage to his ankle. He is back on his feet but he is walking rather gingerly off the pitch. I think Middlesbrough will assess it at the break.

Albert Adomah hasn't been involved in much of the action but he's displayed his pace down the left wing over the past two minutes. Neither run came to anything but it could prove a valuable weapon the longer the match goes on. There will be three minutes of added-on time.

George Friend makes a late dart down the left flank but his surge forward ends up with a cross going straight into the hands of De Vries. That could be that for the first half.

The final stages of the first half petered out somewhat, but what an absorbing opening half hour. Both sides could have added to their tallies, but goals from David Nugent and Daniel Ayala have contributed to Middlesbrough holding a 2-1 advantage at the break.

There were 12 shots during that opening period, but it felt like a whole lot more. Seven efforts found the target, with De Vries and Konstantopoulos pulling off decent stops to prevent any more strikes finding the net. A 2-1 victory to Middlesbrough was my pre-match prediction but I would be very surprised if we didn't see any more goals.

Forest have already used one of their permitted substitutions but I doubt it will be long before we see the likes of Dexter Blackstock and Jamie Ward. I have already mentioned about O'Grady's lack of impact but we haven't seen much of winger Ryan Mendes either.

SUBSTITUTION! Moments after I mention that, on comes Jamie Ward in place of Ben Osborn.

We are back underway at the City Ground.

CHANCE! Oh my word. Nelson Oliveira flicks the ball through to Ryan Mendes, who has an eternity to slot the ball past Konstantopoulos. However, his effort from 12 yards is straight at the veteran stopper and Middlesbrough clear.

Daniel Ayala appears to have fully recovered from the ankle injury that he suffered just before half time. At first glance, it looked like he may have suffered ligament damage but fortunately, he is back to full fitness.

CHANCE! Forest have started this second half on the front foot, but again, they are denied by Konstantopoulos, who gets himself in the way of a stinging volley from Lichaj.

INJURY! Ouch. After being tackled by a defender, David Nugent takes a nasty whack to the face from an opposing player's knee and it has laid him out completely. After a couple of minutes of treatment though, he is back on the pitch. How he hasn't got concussion there I will never know.

CHANCE! Middlesbrough have offered nothing in the final third since the restart but a swift counter-attack sets up an opportunity for Downing. The midfielder curls a left-footed strike towards the top corner but it flies marginally over the crossbar.

SUBSTITUTION! Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka makes his first change of the afternoon, replacing Adomah with Diego Fabbrini. Interesting change, although I suppose it is plausible that Adomah is lacking match fitness.

We are an hour through this game at the City Ground and there is still everything to play for. I can't see it being too long before Dexter Blackstock is on the pitch.

George Friend has been one of Middlesbrough's best performers this afternoon and he almost finds a way into the Forest penalty area. However, Lansbury is alert to the danger and a last-ditch tackle from the former Arsenal man saves the day.

SHOT! Jamie Ward has barely had a touch of the ball since his introduction, and that has probably resulted in this speculative effort from a tight angle. It was never going to trouble the goal, but at least he showed a bit of intent.

BOOKING! A cynical tug of the shirt from Ben Gibson on Ryan Mendes results in the Boro defender going into the book. It gives Ward the chance to fire a free kick towards goal, but his driven effort goes a couple of yards over the crossbar.

SUBSTITUTION! Fifteen minutes after sustaining a blow to the head, a groggy Nugent makes his departure, with Kike the man on in his place. The Middlesbrough medical staff may face some questions as to why he was allowed to continue. He hasn't looked right since.

SHOT! Oliveira shows a touch of class to turn past Adam Clayton, who attempts to rugby-tackle him. Play continues, and the on-loan Benfica attacker curls a shot marginally wide of the post from 20 yards. As expected, the referee goes back to hand a yellow card to Clayton.

SAVE! Forest are really pushing for an equaliser now. A cross from the left is only cleared to Mendes on the edge of the area, but the winger's volley into the ground doesn't possess enough pace to beat Konstantopoulos,who punches the ball away for a corner.

SUBSTITUTION! Maybe we won't see Dexter Blackstock. In fact, we won't. Jonathan Williams has been thrown on to replace Nelson Oliveira. A midfielder for a striker. Strange.

MISS! Drama! After Ben Gibson inexplicitly commits the most blatant handball of the season, Lansbury steps up to see his spot kick saved by the legs of Konstantopoulos, who then parries the rebound wide of the post. HUGE let-off for Middlesbrough and Gibson.

BOOKING! Grant Leadbitter has been cautioned after tripping Mendes, with David Vaughan was booked a couple of minutes earlier. I've lost count of the amount of yellow cards we have had this afternoon but it is at least half a dozen.

SHOT! A wonderful turn from Lansbury in the middle of the pitch sees him move away from two players, but after setting up ward for another long-range effort, the ball is fired several yards wide of the post. That was a tad desperate.

BOOKING! Yet another booking, this time for Fabbrini after he clipped the heels of Williams.

BOOKING! And again...! Daniel Ayala sends Mendes to the deck and he is the sixth Middlesbrough man enter the book. Shortly before that incident, Christian Stuani stung the left hand of De Vries with a swerving shot from 25 yards. There is so much happening in this game!

Middlesbrough enjoy a spell of possession in the corner, but back come Forest, who win a corner after a Williams cross is deflected wide for a corner. Bizarrely, the ball is allowed to bounce inside the penalty area but Middlesbrough are able to clear.

There will be five minutes of added-on time. Still time for Forest.

Ward has had four shots from distance in the space of the last 30 minutes and none of them have got anywhere near the target. That was the 31st attempt of an absorbing contest.

Middlesbrough have started to commit the kind of fouls that are committed to disrupt the rhythm of play. Forest aren't impressed. One minute to go.

The full-time whistle goes at the City Ground and Middlesbrough have held on to record a narrow 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest. The home side perhaps deserved a point but they can't have any complaints. Their defending wasn't good enough in the opening 30 minutes. Anyway, that will be all from Sports Mole for this game. Goodbye for now!