Verdict: Both teams to score – No
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
Hoping to find a route into the European spots on Saturday afternoon, Everton will welcome Nottingham Forest to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton
Starting with the hosts, while Everton might have been left hugely frustrated last weekend as they slumped to a 4-1 drumming at home against Newcastle, David Moyes’ men certainly claimed an immediate response last time out. Springing an upset on the south coast as they secured a 1-0 victory away at Bournemouth, the former West Ham boss suddenly finds his squad sat within touching distance of finding a route into the European spots. Marking their return from November’s international break with a sensational 1-0 win against Manchester United, Everton have skyrocketed their way up the Premier League table. Heading into November’s fortnight interval with a 2-0 win at home against Fulham, Saturday’s hosts have won three of their previous four Premier League appearances and they will be looking to make another statement here.
Everton Team News
Shown what was a costly first-half booking away at Bournemouth on Tuesday, 22-year-old Tim Iroegbunam will miss out through suspension here. Likewise, yet to make a single appearance so far this season, Everton will once again be without England international Jarrad Branthwaite.
Bagging the winner in midweek and making a real impact since completing a summer loan switch from Manchester City, Jack Grealish will play a leading role in attack. Former Manchester United youngster James Garner should once again be deployed as an unorthodox right-back.
Nottingham Forest
As for the visitors, while Sean Dyche might have only arrived at the City Ground six weeks ago, the former Everton boss has certainly made an immediate impact. Last seen earlier in the week clinching what could prove to be an essential 1-0 victory away at Wolves, Nottingham Forest have embarked on a real resurge. Skyrocketing their way out of the relegation zone, Saturday’s guests find the mood in their camp at a season-high. Marking their return from November’s international break with an astonishing 3-0 romp away at defending champions Liverpool, Forest have now won four of their previous five appearances across all competitions. Making a Europa League statement last week as they stormed their way to another 3-0 victory against Malmo, Dyche should be excited by a return to the blue half of Merseyside this weekend.
Nottingham Forest Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues and once again missing out against Wolves earlier in the week, Nottingham Forest are expected to be without the likes of Chris Wood, Ola Aina, Oleksandr Zinchenko and fellow summer recruit Douglas Luiz here.
Bagging the winner in the Midlands on Wednesday and opening his Premier League account, Brazilian marksman Igor Jesus will keep his spot leading the line. Continuing to receive a string of plaudits, England international Elliot Anderson will start in the middle of the park.
Everton vs Nottingham Forest Key Factors to Consider
- When Everton and Nottingham Forest last met for a Premier League showdown on April 12th, the Toffees collected a 1-0 victory at the City Ground.
- In fact, Moyes’ men have won three of their previous four Premier League meetings against Saturday’s guests.
- Everton have registered nine points from their previous four Premier League appearances.
- Including a 1-0 win away at Wolves earlier in the week, Nottingham Forest have won four of their previous five appearances across all competitions.
- Saturday’s guests have also registered a clean sheet in three of their last four outings.
Conclusion
Two camps who have continued to impress since returning from November’s international break, we look set for what could prove to be an intriguing battle from the blue half of Merseyside. Although Everton might have won each of their previous four consecutive Premier League meetings against Saturday’s guests, they will meet a Nottingham Forest squad who have shown some real signs of a resurge since their former boss arrived at the City Ground. With Dyche’s side recording a clean sheet in three of their previous four outings across all fronts, we could be treated to a real chess match on Saturday afternoon.
Verdict: Both teams to score – No
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
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