Prediction: Nottingham Forest vs Burnley

Verdict: Nottingham Forest draw no bet

Best Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to make it back-to-back Premier League victories on Monday night, Nottingham Forest will welcome Burnley to the City Ground.

Nottingham Forest

Starting with the hosts, heading into the international break with a stunning performance in west London, Nottingham Forest will be desperate to lay down another marker here. Eventually claiming a famous 1-0 victory away at Chelsea earlier in the month, Steve Cooper’s men also opened this weekend’s fixtures battling it out in the top-half of the Premier League table. Managing to drag themselves to top-flight safety last season, the one-time Swansea boss will now be hoping for his side to find some recent stability. Winning two of their opening four Premier League appearances since getting proceedings underway last month, Forest will be excited to make a return to home soil here. Last seen at the City Ground claiming a 2-1 win against top-flight returners Sheffield United, it should be noted that Monday’s hosts have won each of their last four Premier League showdowns in front of their own supporters continuing on from last season.

Team News

Welcoming Ibrahim Sangare to the City Ground on Deadline Day following a £30million move from PSV, the Ivorian midfielder should make his debut for Cooper’s side here. Already notching three Premier League strikes this season, attacking talisman Taiwo Awoniyi will spearhead Forest’s charge.

Coming off the bench and bagging that winner at Stamford Bridge last time out, ex-Manchester United attacker Anthony Elanga could make a first Premier League start for Forest on Monday night.

Burnley

As for the visitors, while Burnley might have gained a string of plaudits as they cruised their way to a Premier League return last season, the Clarets have struggled to find a similar level this time around. Last seen heading into the international break with an action-packed 5-2 loss at home against Tottenham, Vincent Kompany’s men are already battling it out at the foot of the top-flight table. Along with opening the 2023/24 campaign with a routine 3-0 loss at the hands of reigning Premier League champions Manchester City on August 11th, Burnley have lost each of their opening three top-flight appearances. Showing a string of defensive issues and shipping 11 strikes on their three-match losing run, Monday’s guests will face a stern challenge here. However, it should be noted, when Kompany’s men travelled to the City Ground for an EFL Cup showdown on August 30th, Burnley landed a shock 1-0 win on their travels.

Team News

Dealing with an extended thigh injury and yet to make a single appearance this season, Burnley will once again be without 23-year-old Michael Obafemi on Monday night. However, Kompany’s side are hopeful that summer arrival Aaron Ramsey will be able to play some part after overcoming a mild knock.

Already notching a pair of top-flight strikes in his first three appearances, South Africa international Lyle Foster will spearhead Burnley’s charge at the City Ground.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met at the City Ground for an EFL Cup showdown on August 30th, Burnley picked up a shock 1-0 victory.
• However, Monday’s guests have lost each of their opening three Premier League appearances – a run that has seen them ship 11 strikes.
• Continuing on from last season, Nottingham Forest have won each of their previous four Premier League contests at the City Ground.
• Likewise, Cooper’s side have also lost just a pair of their last nine top-flight contests in front of their own supporters.
• Forest’s 1-0 win away at Chelsea last time out was just the second Premier League clean sheet that they have collected from their last 21 attempts.

Conclusion

Heading into the international break with a stellar 1-0 victory away at Chelsea, Nottingham Forest will be seeking a repeat performance here. Despite suffering EFL Cup heartbreak at the hands of Monday’s guests last month, Cooper’s men will be smelling the chance to claim some immediate revenge here. Winning each of their last four Premier League showdowns at the City Ground, the one-time European champions will be looking to cash in on a Burnley squad that have shown some extended top-flight issues. Including an action-packed 5-2 defeat at the hands of Tottenham earlier in the month, the Clarets have lost each of their opening three Premier League appearances.

Verdict: Nottingham Forest draw no bet

Best Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: Luckster