Verdict: Nottingham Forest win
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
Desperate to get their Champions League charge back underway on Sunday afternoon, Nottingham Forest will welcome local rivals Leicester to the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest
Starting with the hosts, while Nottingham Forest might have cemented their spot as one of the Premier League’s ultimate surprise packages this season, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are seeking a much-welcomed boost. Dropping out of the Champions League spots, the former Tottenham boss has seen his squad win just one of their previous six appearances across all competitions. Suffering FA Cup heartbreak at Wembley on April 27th as they fell to a 2-0 loss against Manchester City, Forest have a tremendous amount of pressure on their shoulders here. Nevertheless, storming their way to a routine 3-1 romp when they travelled to the King Power for their reverse Premier League showdown against Leicester on October 25th, Santo’s men will be smelling a golden opportunity this weekend.
Nottingham Forest Team News
Limping off against against Crystal Palace on Monday night after bagging a second-half equaliser at Selhurst Park, Nottingham Forest are sweating over the fitness of defensive talisman Murillo. However, the Champions League chasers will certainly be without former Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi here.
While Chris Wood might have only notched a single Premier League strike since the middle of February, the New Zealand international will play a leading role in the final third. Skipper Ryan Yates could be handed a full recall in the middle of the park.
Leicester City
As for the visitors, while Leicester might have secured a 2-0 victory against Southampton last weekend, that result doesn’t cover what has been a woeful campaign this season. Already limping their way to an immediate Championship return, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side have long since had their fate confirmed. g off April with a 3-0 drumming at the hands of local rivals Wolves, the Foxes have only collected a single win from any of their previous 13 consecutive appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to January 26th. Pencilled in as a landslide underdog this weekend, Leicester have continued to gain a reputation for their glaring issues on the road. In fact, van Nistelrooy’s already-relegated squad have ed just a single point from their last seven Premier League showdowns away from the King Power.
Leicester City Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Leicester will once again be without the likes of Issahaku Fatawu, Harry Souttar and Portuguese defender Ricardo Pereira. Likewise, the Foxes have confirmed that number one goalkeeper Mads Hermansen will miss the remainder of the season.
Finding the net against Southampton last weekend and now on his emotional farewell tour, Jamie Vardy will lead out van Nistelrooy’s side here. Expected to complete a move away from the King Power this summer, Belgium international Wout Faes will partner Conor Coady at the back.
Nottingham Forest vs Leicester City Key Factors to Consider
- When Nottingham Forest and Leicester met for their reverse Premier League meeting on October 25th, Sunday’s hosts collected a 3-1 victory at the King Power.
- Nottingham Forest have won three of their last four meetings against their local rivals across all competitions.
- The Champions League chasers have collected just a single win from their previous six matchups across all competitions.
- Leicester’s 2-0 win against Southampton last weekend was their only victory from their previous 13 appearances.
- The Foxes have ed just a single point from their previous seven Premier League showdowns away from the King Power.
Conclusion
Desperate to get their Champions League charge back underway, Nottingham Forest will know that they can’t afford a public slip-up here. Landing a 3-1 victory when they travelled to the King Power for their reverse meeting on October 25th, Santo’s side hold a dominant record against their bitter local rivals. Winning three of their previous four meetings across all competitions, we are backing Forest to claim a much-welcomed boost at the City Ground here.
Verdict: Nottingham Forest win
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
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