England Premier League
Saturday 23rd December 2023
Kick off at 3pm GMT
Venue: City Ground
Match Preview:
Nottingham’s Forest’s latest defeat to Tottenham which was their 9th of the season was finally too much for the board and Steve Cooper has been sacked. Former Tottenham and Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo has been brought in with the club in 17th place and five points from safety. Santo has experience behind him but is also remembered for his ill fated time with Tottenham which only lasted for a couple of months.
Recent form for Forest has seen just one point earned from their last five games and while they still have time on their side and a little gap to the bottom three that could all change very quickly and the sacking of Cooper has been seen as the right decision. However there is a feeling that in giving Santo the job the club have made a sideways step, only time will tell. Bournemouth have been one of the best form sides in the league over the past month and are in 14th place and five points clear of their hosts. This is a big chance for the Cherries because a win here could well see them move up 3 positions depending on other results. All of their hard work over the past month has only gradually moved them up, but this weekend could be the pay off. Away form has vastly improved to the point where they have won their last 3 games in a row and in that time they have beaten Sheffield United, Crystal Palace and Manchester United. Last weekend’s game against Luton had to be abandoned in the second half with Tom Lockyer falling ill.
Team News:
Nottingham Forest: Serge Aurier remains just a 50/50 chance to make this game because of a calf injury. Taiwo Awoniyi is out for two months with a groin injury
Bournemouth: Emiliano Marcondes is nearing a return but has some fitness issues but could be assessed. Maximillian Aarons is expected to miss out but could be back next week as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Hamed Traore will be assessed as he tries to return from illness. Tyler Adams, Ryan Fredericks and Lloyd Kelly are all out long term
Nottm Forest vs Bournemouth Head to Head:
Last season Bournemouth won this fixture 3-2.
3 from the last four games have seen both teams to score.
It’s been seven games going back 8 years since Nottingham Forest recorded a win over Bournemouth.
Nottm Forest vs Bournemouth Prediction:
Bournemouth start as the favourites and they have been very impressive in the past five to six weeks especially away from home. This is a tough game for Santo to manage first, yes Forest are at home but if they lose this game with a new manager, at home, it doesn’t bode well going forward. Not many associated with Forest have been knocked over by Santo’s appointment and he has to prove a lot of people wrong.
It is true that with a new manager clubs usually are boosted by this, so this game remains a difficult one to predict but at the same time Santo has a big job on his hands. Bournemouth are full of confidence and have recorded good results over Forest for almost a decade now, but we will be backing the home side. Santo is a decent manager, and he could well give Forest the edge in this encounter.
Nottm Forest vs Bournemouth Betting Tips:
Draw no bet (Nottm Forest) at 2.00
Anytime goalscorer: Gibbs-White at 3.95
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