Why are Nottingham Forest playing twice in midweek? Nuno Espirito Santo banned for strange Premier League schedule

Nottingham Forest have been dealt no favours by the Premier League schedule next week.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are back in top-flight action after the international break and they are preparing for a clash against Crystal Palace. 

Forest will welcome Palace to the City Ground on Monday but then on Friday, they will be playing again against Leicester, meaning they’ve got two matches in midweek. 

Espirito Santo won’t be happy that that is the case, and he’ll be extra frustrated as he’s going to play no part in either game because he’s banned from the touchline.

Here’s why his side are going to be playing twice in five days…

Why are Forest playing twice in midweek? 

Nottingham Forest are playing on a Monday and Friday due to TV selections. 

Both of their upcoming games have been chosen for broadcast having originally been scheduled for 3pm kick-offs on Saturdays.

In an announcement in early August, it was confirmed that Forest’s trip to face East Midlands rivals Leicester was moved. 

A statement from the Foxes read: “Leicester City’s Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest has been moved in the latest round of broadcast selections.

“The fixture at King Power Stadium – initially scheduled for Saturday 26 October – will now be played at 8pm on Friday 25 October, live on Sky Sports.”

And then a few weeks later, Forest’s game against Crystal Palace was switched too. 

Palace’s statement read similarly: “Crystal Palace’s away game at Nottingham Forest in October has been rescheduled for broadcast.

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“Initially due to take place the preceding Saturday, the fixture will now kick off at 20:00 BST on Monday, 21st October, and will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports.”

So it leaves Forest playing twice in midweek with two Premier League games inside five days.

And their manager won’t be on the touchline for either of them.

Boss Espirito Santo has been given a two-match touchline suspension and a £55,000 fine for abuse towards officials.

That punishment also activated a suspended touchline ban which means that he will be forced to sit in the stands for three games.

Speaking about the ban, Espirito Santo said: “I’m surprised it’s a big sanction but there’s nothing we can do.

“It’s not for me to judge, my job is to move forward and make sure the coaching staff are ready to help the team.

“We had a hearing, everything was normal. The sanction has been decided. Let’s go.”

Morgan Gibbs-White has also been handed a one-match suspension, in addition to also paying a £20,000 fine.

It means he’ll miss the Crystal Palace game on Monday before returning against Leicester should he have recovered from injury.

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On losing Gibbs-White, Espirito Santo added: “It’s not nice when you don’t have a player available.

“It’s not in the right moment, he’s still injured. Hopefully, for the next game, he’s going to be available.”

You can also follow coverage of both of Nottingham Forest’s upcoming matches exclusively live on talkSPORT. 

On Monday, Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace will be live on talkSPORT with coverage presented by Adrian Durham. 

Commentary will come from Sam Matterface and former England midfielder Danny Murphy. 

Then on Friday, Hugh Woozencroft will be your host as Matterface is joined by former Chelsea defender Scott Minto on commentary at the King Power Stadium. 

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. 

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM

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