They face a Forest side full of confidence since the sacking of manager Colin Calderwood in late December.
A 3-2 win at Norwich was followed up with a fantastic victory in the FA Cup when they demolished Premiership side Manchester City 3-0 away from home.
Add that to the appointment of former Derby and Preston boss Billy Davies who takes charge for the first time today and you have a side on the up.
They sit just outside the relegation zone, five points away from Charlton who have a decent record against today's visitors.
They have been unbeaten at home since 1994 against the Reds and the last time they lost a league game against Forest was back in 1997 when they suffered a 5-2 drubbing at the City Ground.
Today's game is a must-win for the London club if they want to survive and two new signings are expected to make their debuts this afternoon.
Reading club captain Graeme Murty has joined on a one-month loan deal and will start at right-back, with midfielder Matty Spring lining up in midfield alongside either Matt Holland or Jose Semedo. Nicky Bailey misses out through suspension.
Captain Mark Hudson returns after injury and partners Jon Fortune at the back with Jay McEveley on the left. The on- loan Derby man missed out the 1-1 draw with Norwich last weekend after being denied permission to play by the Rams.
Jonjo Shelvey became the youngest ever goalscorer in the history of the club against the Canaries and the 16-year-old is expected to start in an attacking role behind Deon Burton.
Hameur Bouazza has left the club to go on loan to Birmingham, which means Darren Ambrose could start his first game after returning from a loan spell at Ipswich, with Lloyd Sam on the other flank. Grant Basey is another option on the left wing.
Andy Gray and Martyn Waghorn should start on the bench for today's game, a game that could determine whether the Addicks have the bottle for a relegation scrap or a League One campaign next season.
Possible side for Forest: Elliot, Murty, Fortune, Hudson(c), McEveley, Sam, Semedo, Spring, Shelvey, Ambrose, Burton
Subs: Weaver, Gray, Waghorn, Holland, Basey