By Neel Shelat
Forest’s sensational profitable streak
Many Nottingham Forest followers have to be having the time of their lives proper now. Their aspect is on a seven-match profitable streak – their longest in almost 20 years. Six of these victories have come within the Premier League, making this their longest top-flight profitable run since 1979. A seventh within the league would equal their all-time file.
This unbelievable run of outcomes has propelled Nuno Espírito Santo’s aspect all the best way as much as third within the Premier League standings, degree on factors with Arsenal and simply six off the leaders (who’ve a sport in hand). As we at the moment are within the second half of the season, the Forest devoted are more and more believing of their group’s probabilities of returning to Europe after almost three many years away.
Liverpool eager to protect spectacular double file
No group has carried out the league double over Liverpool since Manchester United managed it in 2015/16. Jürgen Klopp preserved that file for everything of his nine-year spell on the membership, whereas his successor Arne Slot has solely tasted one defeat up to now.
That loss did come in opposition to Nottingham Forest on matchday 4 within the Premier League, when Callum Hudson-Odoi scored from exterior the field to cease Slot’s celebration at Anfield.
After all, that additionally means the Dutch tactician has but to lose an away match in command of Liverpool in order that too might change on the Metropolis Floor.
Doubtlessly beneficial matchup for Forest
Liverpool have been one of the best group in England (and arguably the world) by some margin to this point this season, however they aren’t completely good. Their scintillating assault – which has scored by far essentially the most targets within the Premier League and collected the very best xG tally – has a minimum of partly been helped by the truth that fewer groups want to defend with self-discipline in low blocks for lengthy spells. As an alternative, most sides want to both begin larger to selectively apply some strain to push their opponents again, however each of these approaches depart their again traces slightly extra susceptible.
Slot’s aspect have taken benefit of that by placing a implausible steadiness between affected person possession and direct attacking, thus luring their opponents out and springing ahead at the absolute best time. Opponents would really like be higher served by remaining in a compact low block in opposition to them, however the few sides which have tried to take action have been the relegation battlers for whom the distinction in participant high quality proved nice.
Nottingham Forest, nevertheless, have respectable participant high quality together with the power to soak up strain for lengthy spells. The likes of Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Anthony Elanga and Chris Wooden allow them to pose a severe counterattacking risk from deep, which they’ve used to nice impact to this point. So, the hosts might nicely frustrate Liverpool and harm them on the break.
Prediction
We must always have a cracking sport on our fingers as each squads are close to full power; solely Joe Gomez and Ibrahim Sangaré are out injured whereas Darwin Núñez is suspended. This may increasingly nicely end in a hard-fought draw.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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