While the win over Bournemouth on Tuesday was massive for Everton in terms of the table, it either directly led to or exposed yet another round of weaknesses in the club's squad heading into a long run of festive fixtures in December.
Center back Michael Keane missed the game with an injury that manager David Moyes said the defender was feeling during the Newcastle match, but opted to try and play through. And then, during the match, midfielder Tim Iroegbunam picked up a yellow card and will be added to the Toffees' list of suspended players on the weekend.
Keane is still a question heading into the match on Saturday.
That makes predicting what Moyes will do with his ever-thinning squad in order to cobble together a starting XI all the more difficult.
Still, we'll venture forth and attempt to figure out the mix out of the rubble.
Everton's starting XI v Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper & Defenders
Jordan Pickford (GK): Nothing to see here. He was brilliant again after a rough one against Newcastle.
Vitalii Mykolenko (LB): The Ukrainian continues to be what he is, and until Moyes opts to give Adam Aznou a run, he'll be the guy here.
James Tarkowski (CB): There aren't really any options here, but the Bournemouth game suggested that the vice captain is better next to a more athletic partner.
Jake O'Brien (CB): The Irish international was brilliant against the Cherries back in his natural position. No doubt the performance had Toffee supporters dreaming of what he'll look like next to Jarrad Branthwaite once he returns from injury.
Nathan Patterson (RB): Here we are. Who knows if the Scotland international is fit enough, but he may need to give everything he's got, at least until Iroegbunam is back.
Midfielders
James Garner (CM): Another week, another role for Garner. He'll be asked to be more defensively minded with Idrissa Gana Gueye and Iroegbunam out.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (CM): He was actually quite brilliant in a deeper-lying role against Bournemouth, and may be asked to do more of this once Gana is away at AFCON.
Charly Alcaraz (CAM): There may be some flexibility with Charly and KDH, as there was on Tuesday, but the likeliest outcome is that Alcaraz is the more progressive option.
Forwards
Jack Grealish (LW): It was great to see him score, albeit on a deflected shot, on Tuesday. Everton will need more of that, especially once AFCON starts.
Iliman Ndiaye (RW): With only two matches left until he leaves for international duty, here's hoping that the Senegalese winger keeps pushing for more goals in the interim.
Thierno Barry (CF): He still hasn't scored, but the work rate cannot be doubted. The joy when he thought he had finally found the back of the net against Newcastle gets me excited for what he'll do once he actually finds his breakthrough.