Prediction: Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool

Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Both fresh from emphatic 3-0 victories, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool meet again at the City Ground on Sunday for another Premier League showdown.

The Tricky Trees ushered in the Vítor Pereira era with a superb European triumph over Fenerbahçe, while Liverpool enjoyed a commanding FA Cup win over Brighton & Hove Albion.

Nottingham Forest

The early effects of a managerial change were on full display as Forest travelled to Turkey for Europa League duty. In their first match since Sean Dyche’s controversial departure, Pereira—whose last job played a part in Wolverhampton Wanderers’ historically poor Premier League campaign—oversaw a clinical 3-0 dismantling of Fenerbahçe. Murillo, Igor Jesus and Morgan Gibbs‑White all struck as Forest ended a three‑game winless run in emphatic fashion.

Given Pereira’s history, such a debut should not come as a surprise. Across his last 15 managerial roles, the Portuguese coach has avoided defeat in every first match, winning 11 of them. His immediate priority now turns back to domestic survival. Forest enter the weekend placed 17th—three points clear of West Ham United—and aiming to build on the momentum of recent performances.

Only one of Forest’s last six Premier League matches has ended in defeat, and they have drawn each of their last three home fixtures at the City Ground. Scoring, however, remains an ongoing issue. Forest have found the net just once in each of their last four top‑flight home games, though their memorable 3-0 demolition of Liverpool in November helped extend their unbeaten run against the champions to three matches.

Team News

Forest emerged from their win in Istanbul without any new injuries, but none of their current absentees are expected to return in time for Liverpool’s visit. Willy Boly, Chris Wood, John Victor and Nicolo Savona all remain sidelined with knee problems, while goalkeeper Matz Sels is still battling a groin issue, meaning Stefan Ortega will continue between the posts.

Murillo and Gibbs‑White—both scorers against Liverpool earlier this season, as well as on Thursday night—could become the first Forest players this century to score home and away against the Reds in a single Premier League campaign.

Liverpool

Despite Arsenal’s recent stumbles, Liverpool’s grip on the Premier League trophy has all but slipped away. However, Arne Slot’s revitalised squad are still firmly chasing two pieces of silverware. In the FA Cup, Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah were all on target in a ruthless 3-0 victory over Brighton—a win that booked a fifth‑round tie with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Meanwhile, Champions League knockout football will soon command their attention too.

Liverpool have now won four of their last five matches across all competitions thanks to strong cup performances, but their league form has lagged. The Reds have picked up just two victories in their last six Premier League fixtures, although those wins both came in their last three outings—against Newcastle United and Sunderland. Their success at the Stadium of Light made them the first team to defeat Sunderland at home in the 2025–26 campaign.

Yet Slot’s men remain inconsistent away from home. They have not recorded back‑to‑back Premier League victories on the road since September, a pattern they will be eager to break as they continue their pursuit of fourth‑placed Manchester United.

Team News

Liverpool’s injury situation remains unchanged. Jeremie Frimpong is still sidelined with a hamstring issue, though Slot has indicated the Dutchman could return against West Ham United on February 28. Wataru Endo (ankle), Giovanni Leoni (knee), Conor Bradley (knee) and Alexander Isak (leg) are all unavailable.

Curtis Jones’s deployment at right‑back worked effectively against Brighton, but with Ryan Gravenberch expected to rejoin the starting XI, Szoboszlai may instead occupy that temporary defensive role.

Conclusion

Forest’s dazzling start to life under Pereira has injected optimism into their survival bid, but the combination of midweek travel, fatigue and the intensity of European competition could hinder them here. Liverpool, by contrast, have enjoyed a full week of preparation and arrive in prolific scoring form.

Each of Forest’s last six full‑time Premier League managerial debuts has ended in defeat, and Pereira may well become the seventh name added to that sequence, with Liverpool expected to edge a physically drained Tricky Trees side.

Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: ZetBet