England Premier League
Saturday 14th January 2023
Kick off at 3pm GMT
Venue: City Ground
Match Preview:
As expected it’s been a tough season for Nottingham Forest so far however there has been some light at the end of the tunnel as they are on a great cup run in the EFL Cup and have reached the semi-finals where they will play Manchester United over two legs. Forest edged past Wolves 2-1 to make the last four and that more than made up for losing 4-1 against Blackpool in the FA Cup.
Back to the league and Forest have shown some form in recent times and climbed up to 15th place with 17 points but they are only two points from being dragged back into the bottom three so the club really need to push on. Form for Steve Cooper’s side has been good though with just one loss in their last five and 8 points won from their last 15 on offer. The club have also gone their last two games undefeated after a superb 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea followed up by only their 4th win of the season as they beat Southampton away from home 1-0. Victory here could see Cooper’s side move up three places and that includes moving past their opponents.
Leicester beat Gillingham only 1-0 to reach the next round of the FA Cup but they were dumped out of the EFL Cup in the last eight as they lost 2-0 against Newcastle. The Foxes seemed to have turned a corner in the league but they have now lost 3 games in a row and are in danger of getting sucked back into the bottom three just like their hosts so given that they both have the same points this is a huge game for both sides. In their last fixture the Foxes lost 1-0 against Fulham at home, on the road they have won three times but lost 6 from 9 games and are yet to draw.
Team News:
Nottingham Forest: Taiwo Awoniyi is expected to return after suffering from fatigue. Willy Boly remains a doubt with his ankle and is only 50/50 to feature, Jesse Lingard is out with a hamstring injury and not expected back for at least three weeks. Neco Williams remains a doubt with a facial injury but could be assessed. Omar Richards, Moussa Niakhate and Chiekhou Kouyate are all out long term.
Leicester: Ayoze Perez has knock but is being tipped to be fine for this game, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has been ruled out with a glute injury but could well return next week. Jonny Evans is still missing with his calf. James Maddison remains sidelined with a knee injury and is not due back for another 3 weeks. Dennis Praet could return from his rib injury and will be assessed. Boubakary Soumare is out for six weeks with a hamstring injury and Ricardo Pereira is nearing a return but still out with his Achilles.
Nottm Forest vs Leicester Head to Head:
The teams played this fixture last season in the FA Cup where Forest won 4-1.
Earlier in the season in the reverse fixture Leicester won 4-0.
There have been 5 draws in the last 10 meetings.
The last 3 meetings have all seen over 3.5 goals.
Nottm Forest vs Leicester Prediction:
Nottingham Forest will have plenty more ups and downs but we are backing them in this game. They have injuries but also have a big squad and that may well just work in their favour as they try to survive after being back in the top flight. Home has to be a fortress at least and their recent form has been encouraging. For Leicester the problems remain. Jamie Vardy is not scoring goals anymore and one has to wonder if time has finally caught up with the forward? But the Foxes also have mounting injury concerns and their injured list just seems to keep growing and it seems to be key players.
Form for the Foxes is also poor and while they may turn it around it is always hard to do so on the road. This can still be a very close game with not much in it but at a good price we think that Forest can get the maximum points here and push on and look more safe as a result.
Nottm Forest vs Leicester Betting Tips:
Draw no bet (Nottingham Forest) at 1.97
Anytime goalscorer: Morgan Gibbs-White at 4.00
Both teams to score at 1.66
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