Swansea v Nott'm Forest

Goals have been not so much at a premium as totally non-existent in the Championship play-offs thus far, with both the first legs ending 0-0. Always a better result for the away team at any time, that feeling was intensified at the City Ground by the dismissal of Neil Taylor for a reckless challenge after less than a minute of play. The 10 men of Swansea fought like lions to preserve a clean sheet and could have still found the net themselves on several occasions.

Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised by the resolution of Brendan Rodgers’ side who have now shut out their opponents in four of their last five matches, and in all of the previous three. Having conceded only 42 Championship goals all season, bettered only by champions QPR, the defence has been the foundation for success.

Not that Swansea haven’t attracted many plaudits for their attacking prowess too. Scott Sinclair was forced into defensive duty by the sending off on Friday, but expect him to be making the runs of a 24-goal striker again on Monday night. Fellow striker Scott Dobbie will get his chance having being sacrificed following the red card on Thursday. Even Fabio Borini is expected to be fit after limping off in the second half. All and all, the Welsh side have every reason to be optimistic.

Forest players wouldn’t be human if they didn’t feel like they have already let an opportunity slip. The fans have enough reasons for dread already, based on their miserable previous play-offs record, and the manager Billy Davies’ experiences aren’t much better. Admittedly he was successful with Derby in 2007, but play-off despair with Preston in 2005 and 2006, before defeat with Forest last season at this stage, outweigh that happy memory.

Rodger’s team are rightly heavy favourites to progress at the Liberty Stadium, but best odds of 1/2 to reach Wembley are unflattering. The 15/8 with bet365 on Swansea being the only team to score in 90 minutes is much more tempting.