TIGHT BATTLE WITH EIGHT GAMES TO GO

NOTTINGHAM

- By SARAH CLAPSON

Forest find themselves precariously placed in the Premier League table as the battle for survival enters its final eight games.Goal difference is all that is separating the Reds from 18th-placed West Ham United as it stands.

Vitor Pereira's side climbed back out of the relegation zone on Sunday with their 0-0 draw at home to Fulham but their lack of firepower continues to be problematic.

There is no getting away from the importance of this weekend's trip to the capital to take on Tottenham Hotspur. Forest have the second leg of their last 16 Europa League tie with FC Midtjylland to come before then but head coach Pereira has hinted the fight to stay up has to take priority.

Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley look destined for the drop but it is incredibly tight between the teams above them. The Reds and West Ham are currently on 29 points, Spurs have 30 and Leeds are on 32.

Who will go down and what could make the difference during the run-in?

Below is a look at what Forest, their relegation rivals and the pundits are saying...

■Vitor Pereira after Forest's 0-0 draw with Fulham...

"In my opinion, I said to them (the players) now, this is not a speed race. This is a marathon until the end and in our minds.

"Of course, this was a chance to get three points, but the next game we have another chance to get three points.

"This is the spirit, it's not because we play home or away. The spirit must be to win points and to fight, to compete to win the game.

"I think it will be tough until the end. The decision, I believe, the decision will be at the end. I hope that we can get points before then to (stay out of) the relegation zone.