Three points for the home side will take them to the top of the Championship while a measure of the Reds' improvement this season is that an away win will lift Billy Davies' side into a play-off place.
Something is likely to give on Forest's first visit to the new Cardiff City Stadium. The Reds are unbeaten away from home but the Bluebirds are the league's joint-top scorers on their own patch.
A live terrestrial TV audience will be watching the 5pm kick-off, national exposure for the Reds and their improving side.