Forest Aim to Equal Record Winning Run Against Liverpool

Match Preview

Nottingham Forest welcome Liverpool to the City Ground in a high-stakes Premier League encounter. The home side is on a remarkable run, having won their last six league matches. A seventh consecutive victory would see them equal their longest ever winning streak in league play, a milestone previously achieved in 1979.
Liverpool, leading the league with 46 points from 19 games, remain unbeaten away from home this season. Their impressive away record of seven wins and two draws demonstrates their strength on the road. Nottingham Forest sit third in the table with 40 points from 20 matches, making this clash a meeting between two of the top three teams.
Forest defeated Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield earlier in the season. Completing a league double over Liverpool would be a significant achievement for Forest, last accomplished over six decades ago. Both teams will be eager to secure maximum points to bolster their campaigns.

Team Analysis

Nottingham Forest have been efficient in front of goal, averaging 1.5 goals per game, while conceding just 1.0 goals per match. Their recent form is impressive, with five victories in their last six home league games. Defensively solid, they have kept several clean sheets, thanks in part to goalkeeper Matz Sels, who leads the league with nine.
Under the guidance of Nuno Espírito Santo, Forest have developed a resolute defence and a balanced attack. Their possession stats average at 39.4%, indicating a tendency to allow opponents more of the ball while being effective on the counter-attack.
Liverpool have been prolific, scoring an average of 2.5 goals per game. Mohamed Salah has been central to their attacking success, with 15 league goals this season. The team's away form is particularly strong, unbeaten in nine matches and scoring 27 goals on the road.
Arne Slot's side dominates possession with an average of 57.2%, and their passing accuracy and high shot counts reflect their attacking philosophy. However, they have conceded an average of 1.0 goals per game, suggesting that Forest may find opportunities.

Player Analysis

For Nottingham Forest, forwards Chris Wood and Morgan Gibbs-White have been influential. Wood has been effective in converting chances, while Gibbs-White provides creativity from midfield. Anthony Elanga has also contributed important goals in recent matches.
Goalkeeper Matz Sels has been outstanding, with nine clean sheets in the league. His performances have been crucial in Forest's defensive solidity.
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah is in exceptional form, averaging 1.0 goal per game and 4.2 shots per 90 minutes. His ability to score in the second half, with 16 of his 18 goals coming after the interval, makes him a constant threat.
In midfield, the potential return of Ryan Gravenberch from an ankle concern could bolster Liverpool's options. The defence, anchored by Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, has contributed to their strong away performances.
Liverpool will be without Darwin Nunez due to suspension, and Joseph Gomez is sidelined with a thigh injury. Nottingham Forest are missing Ibrahim Sangare and Jonathan Panzo through injuries.

Bet 1: Mohamed Salah to Score First (6.75)

Mohamed Salah is in remarkable form this season, leading Liverpool's scoring charts with 15 goals in the league. Averaging 1.02 goals per 90 minutes and taking 4.15 shots per game, his threat in front of goal is undeniable. Notably, Salah has a penchant for crucial goals, often breaking the deadlock for his team. With Nottingham Forest conceding an average of 1.0 goal per match at home, Salah's proficiency increases the likelihood of him finding the net first.

Liverpool's attacking approach, coupled with Salah's clinical finishing, makes this a compelling bet. His ability to exploit defensive lapses and his record against teams with solid defences further bolster this recommendation.

Bet 2: Both Teams to Score – No (2.17)

Nottingham Forest have shown defensive resilience at the City Ground, conceding just seven goals in nine home matches. Their goalkeeper, Matz Sels, leads the league with nine clean sheets, underscoring their solidity at the back. Conversely, Liverpool have conceded only 11 goals in nine away games, highlighting their defensive strength on the road.

Considering both teams' defensive records, there's a strong possibility that one team may fail to score. In their last six head-to-head encounters at this venue, four have ended with at least one team not scoring. The combination of robust defences suggests a low-scoring affair with the potential for a clean sheet.

Bet 3: Under 2.5 Goals (2.8)

Historically, matches between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool at the City Ground have been tight. Five of the last six fixtures here have produced under 2.5 goals. Nottingham Forest average 1.3 goals scored and 1.0 conceded per home game, while Liverpool score 3.0 and concede 1.4 on their travels.

Given the significance of the match and both teams' desire to secure points, a cautious approach may be adopted. The statistical trend of low-scoring games in this fixture supports the expectation of under 2.5 goals.

Bet Builder: Salah to Score First, Both Teams to Score – No, Under 2.5 Goals (Combined Odds: 39.49)

Combining these bets offers a substantial return. A £10 stake could yield an expected return of £394.90. The synergy of Salah scoring first in a match where only one team finds the net and fewer than three goals are scored aligns with the analysed statistics and recent performances.