Prediction: Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest

Verdict: Nottingham Forest draw no bet

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to extend on their Premier League purple patch, Nottingham Forest will make the trip to a struggling Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.

Bournemouth

Starting with the hosts, last seen putting in another toothless display as they were hit with a routine 2-0 loss away at Brentford, Bournemouth find themselves in the midst of a Premier League nightmare. While the Cherries might have appointed Gary O’Neil on a permanent basis back in November, they now appear destined for a relegation scrap in 2023. While the south coast outfit might have found a much-needed boost prior to the World Cup break, Saturday’s hosts have certainly come crashing back down to earth. Along with crashing out of the FA Cup on January 7th thanks to a 4-2 loss at home against Championship high-flyers Burnley, Bournemouth have now lost each of their last six domestic contests on the spin. Holding just a one-point buffer from slipping into the bottom-three, O’Neil’s struggling squad have also continued to show some rather glaring issues at the back.

Team News

Dealing with what has been an injury headache, Bournemouth will once again be without the quartet of David Brooks, Ryan Fredricks, Junior Stanislas and Marcus Tavernier on Saturday afternoon.

Likewise, limping off in the first-half against Brentford last weekend, the Cherries are sweating over the fitness of Lewis Cook here. Ex-Preston man Ben Pearson could be handed a rare start at the Vitality.

Nottingham Forest

As for the visitors, while Nottingham Forest might have made their Premier League return last season in the midst of their own extended rut, Steve Cooper’s side have come roaring back in some style. Last seen putting in another eye-catching display as they claimed a 2-0 victory at home against local rivals Leicester, the former Swansea boss has seen his side skyrocket their way up the table. Now sat in pole position to extend on their top-flight status this season, the Reds should be confident of laying down another marker here. Likewise, booking their EFL Cup semi-final ticket last week after edging their way past Wolves, Cooper’s side should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Opening up the New Year with another rugged display at the City Ground as they claimed a deserved 1-1 draw against Premier League giants Chelsea, Forest have lost just a single Premier League showdown since way back on October 30th.

Team News

In what is a real blow for Nottingham Forest, Cooper will once again be unable to call upon attacking star Taiwo Awoniyi here. Likewise, the likes of Jesse Lingard, Omar Richards and Cheikhou Kouyate will not feature at the Vitality.

Bagging both goals in last weekend’s 2-0 victory against Leicester, Wales international Brenan Johnson will once again spearhead Forest’s attack on Saturday afternoon.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last faced off back on September 3rd, Bournemouth picked up a 3-2 victory at the City Ground.
• However, the Cherries have now lost each of their six domestic matchups since returning from the World Cup break.
• O’Neil’s side have also drawn a blank in five of those six post-World Cup appearances.
• Nottingham Forest have lost just a single Premier League fixture since way back on October 30th.
• Likewise, Saturday’s guests have also won three of their previous four domestic matchups across all formats.

Conclusion

Putting in another stellar display last weekend as they secured a 2-0 victory at home against local rivals Leicester, Nottingham Forest are riding quite the wave of momentum. Continuing to shine on either side of the World Cup break, Saturday’s guests have also suffered just a single Premier League defeat since the end of October. Skyrocketing their way out of the bottom-three, Cooper’s high-flying squad will be confident of laying down another marker here. Watching Bournemouth slump to a toothless 2-0 loss away at Brentford last weekend, the Cherries are enduring a real domestic nightmare. Losing each of their six straight appearances since returning from the festive interval, we’re backing an away draw no bet on Saturday afternoon.

Verdict: Nottingham Forest draw no bet

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet