Verdict: Over 1.5 goals
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
Desperately seeking an immediate response on Wednesday night, Arsenal will travel to the City Ground when they meet Nottingham Forest.
Nottingham Forest
Starting with the hosts, while Nottingham Forest might have already underlined their status as one of Europe’s ultimate surprise packages this season, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men do have the feel of a squad seeking a welcomed boost. Although the former Tottenham boss might find his squad at the heart of a remarkable Champions League chase, Forest have seen their top-four dreams take a blow over the past few weeks. Eventually falling to what was an action-packed 4-3 loss away at Newcastle last weekend, Santo’s men have lost three of their previous four Premier League appearances. Signing off January with a 5-0 drumming at the hands of Bournemouth, Wednesday’s hosts have also shown some worrying defensive issues. In fact, Forest have conceded five goals in their previous six matchups across all competitions.
Nottingham Forest Team News
Heading into Wednesday’s showdown at the City Ground, Nottingham Forest have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns to worry about. Coming off the bench and bagging a consolation strike away at Newcastle over the weekend, club captain Ryan Yates could be handed a full recall.
Enjoying what has become a record-breaking flurry this season and already registering 18 Premier League goals, Chris Wood will play a leading role on Wednesday night. Despite notching a single top-flight strike since the start of January, Morgan Gibbs-White will partner wood in the final third.
Arsenal
As for the visitors, suffering what could be a season-defining 1-0 loss at home against West Ham last weekend, Arsenal watched their title dreams take what could be a critical blow. Travelling to the City Ground on Wednesday night sat 11 points adrift of runaway leaders Liverpool, Mikel Arteta’s men have an almighty uphill battle on their hands over the next few months. Watching their EFL Cup adventure come to an end earlier in the month as they slumped to a 4-0 aggregate defeat against Newcastle, the Gunners have come under a huge amount of scrutiny. However, storming their way to a 3-0 victory when they welcomed Nottingham Forest to north London for their reverse Premier League meeting on November 23rd, Arsenal will know the importance of produce a repeat performance on Wednesday night.
Arsenal Team News
Dealing with what has become a stacked injury list, Arsenal will once again be without the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz. Likewise, shown a second-half red card against West Ham on Saturday afternoon, Myles Lewis-Skelly will miss out through suspension here.
Despite still waiting to open his Premier League account this season, England international Raheem Sterling could be handed a full recall. Making a first appearance since the start of November last weekend, Ben White could get some more minutes under his belt.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Nottingham Forest and Arsenal met for their reverse Premier League showdown on November 23rd, the Gunners collected a 3-0 victory in north London.
- In fact, Arsenal have won four of their previous five meetings against Wednesday’s hosts.
- Nottingham Forest have lost three of their previous four Premier League appearances.
- Arsenal have recorded just a pair of clean sheets away at top-flight opposition since the middle of September.
- Four of the last five meetings between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal have finished with over 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
With their Premier League title ambitions now hanging by a thread, Arsenal face what is another season-defining showdown on Tuesday night. While the Gunners might have stormed their way to a 3-0 romp when they welcomed Nottingham Forest to north London for their reverse Premier League meeting on November 23rd, Wednesday’s hosts are desperate to kickstart their top-four charge. With Forest seeing their last two Premier League contests at the City Ground produce 12 goals at both ends of the pitch, neutrals will be hoping for another thriller in midweek.
Verdict: Over 1.5 goals
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
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