Prediction: Leicester vs Nottingham Forest

Verdict: Both teams to score 

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides who find themselves seeking a real boost on Monday night, Leicester will welcome Nottingham Forest to the King Power.

Leicester

Starting with the hosts, heading into September’s international break with another nightmare display, it is no secret that Leicester find themselves in the midst of a real Premier League nightmare. Marking their return to action on Monday night sat rock-bottom of the table, many around the King Power will be surprised that Brendan Rodgers remains in the dugout. Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny over recent months, the Foxes are now at the heart of a shock relegation scrap. Remarkably picking up just a single point from any of their opening seven Premier League matchups this season, the one-time Liverpool boss will know that Monday’s meeting is a real must-win showdown for the former top-flight champions. Showing a string of defensive issues and shipping a staggering 11 goals in their back-to-back defeats against Tottenham and Brighton prior to the break, Rodgers’ downbeat squad must find some stability.

Team News

Having to settle for a spot in Leicester’s back-to-back defeats against Tottenham and Brighton, Jamie Vardy looks set to make a full return on Monday night.

Racking up three strikes so far this season and undoubtedly Rodgers’ standout performer, James Maddison should join Vardy in attack. Despite coming under recent scrutiny, ex-Liverpool keeper Danny Ward should once again start between the sticks here.

Nottingham Forest

As for the visitors, while Nottingham Forest might have managed to pick up a hard-fought 1-0 victory against West Ham back on August 14th, Steve Cooper’s side have rather drastically failed to keep up that momentum. Last seen heading into the international break with another remarkable collapse on home soil, the Premier League returners have now lost each of their last four top-flight contests. Eventually getting hit with back-to-back 3-2 losses against Fulham and Bournemouth, the Reds appear destined for a relegation scrap this time around. Mustering just a single win from their opening seven contests this season, Monday’s guests have also gained a reputation for their own glaring defensive struggles. On a run that is highlighted by a 6-0 drumming away at defending champions Manchester City when heading into September, Forest have shipped 14 strikes on their four-match losing run.

Team News

Nottingham Forest have announced that 25-year-old Scott McKenna is an injury doubt after picking up a knock while away with Scotland on international duties.

Likewise, all dealing with injury issues last month, Cooper’s side look set to once again be without the trio of Omar Richards, Orel Mangala and Moussa Niakhate on Monday night.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two local rivals last faced off on February 6th on FA Cup duties, Nottingham Forest picked up a thumping 4-1 victory at the City Ground.
• Leicester have managed to pick up just a single point from any of their opening seven Premier League appearances this season.
• Likewise, Monday’s guests have lost each of their previous four Premier League outings by an aggregate score of 14-4.
• Including conceding 11 goals in their back-to-back losses against Tottenham and Brighton prior to the international break,
• Leicester have already shipped 22 goals so far this season.
  Four of their last five meetings have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Two sides who were showing some rather glaring defensive issues prior to September’s international break, neutrals will be hoping for another lively affair on Monday night. Mustering just a single point from their opening seven Premier League contests and last seen on September 17th getting hit for six away at Tottenham, Leicester are in the midst of a public nightmare. Already shipping a staggering 22 top-flight strikes, Rodgers will know that he personally faces a real must-win showdown here. However, while the Foxes might be sat rock-bottom of the table, Nottingham Forest aren’t fairing much better. Collapsing against both Fulham and Bournemouth last month as they suffered back-to-back 3-2 losses on home soil, the Premier League returners have also gained a reputation for their leaky defence. It should be noted, with four of the last five meetings between Monday’s opponents finishing with both teams finding the net, we’re backing a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Unibet