Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool predictions and betting tips – Reds seek top-five boost

Liverpool began the campaign with the aim of winning back-to-back Premier League titles, but they now have a fight on their hands to merely qualify for the Champions League.

Next up for Arne Slot’s side is a trip to Nottingham Forest, who are under new management yet again. Which way will Sunday’s showdown at the City Ground go?

• Liverpool to win – 4/5 with Betfred
• Over 2.5 goals – 8/11 with bet365
• Mohamed Salah to score any time – 6/4 with BoyleSports

Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool odds

Find the latest Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool predictions

Are things starting to look up for Liverpool?

Their biggest match in the last few weeks ended in defeat, as the Reds threw away a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 to Manchester City at Anfield.

Aside from that, though, Liverpool’s recent form is promising. They may have lost narrowly to City the weekend before last, but the Reds have won four of their last five games in all competitions.

Three of those victories were by at least a three-goal margin. Granted, the 6-0 triumph over Qarabag has been placed into context by Newcastle United’s 6-1 victory over the same opponents on Wednesday. 

Yet Liverpool recently beat Newcastle themselves 4-1, as well as scoring three times without reply against Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup last time out.

In its own way, the 1-0 triumph over Sunderland was just as pleasing. Sure, the score was closer than the blowouts against Newcastle and Brighton, but Liverpool became the first visiting team to win at the Stadium of Light this season.

Sunderland are European contenders and they have denied the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City victory on their own turf in 2025/26. 

Liverpool did not have everything their own way that evening, but they created enough chances to win the game and defended well throughout.

No one is getting ahead of themselves. There is still a long way to go before Liverpool are back to the level we saw them reach so consistently last season.

But that defeat of Sunderland has breathed new life into their push for a top-five finish, not least because Chelsea and Manchester United dropped points in the same round of fixtures.

Arne Slot’s side are now only two points outside the Champions League qualification places going into the weekend.

Their opponents on Sunday are under new management for the fourth time this term. Vitor Pereira will take charge of his first Premier League game as Nottingham Forest boss on Sunday, tasked with steering the club to safety.

Forest have a fight on their hands to preserve their top-flight status. Three points clear of the relegation zone, they are in danger of being caught by an in-form West Ham United team.

Pereira needs to hit the ground running, but this represents a tough test for Sean Dyche’s successor. 

Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool betting tips

Nottingham Forest face Liverpool in an important Premier League game for both teams.

Liverpool to triumph

Nottingham Forest are hoping to benefit from a new manager bounce following Pereira’s arrival, but the Portuguese will be judged on next weekend’s trip to Brighton more than Sunday’s showdown against Liverpool.

That is not to say Forest have no chance of getting something this weekend. They could frustrate Liverpool’s frontline and then cause them problems on the counter-attack.

But given the Reds’ recent improvement, they will arrive at the City Ground full of belief that they can make it three wins on the bounce for the first time since December.

This will not be a stroll for Liverpool, for whom there have been numerous false dawns already this season. But Slot’s charges should win this one way or another.

Liverpool to win at 4/5 with Betfred

Goals on the cards

There have been over 2.5 goals in six of Liverpool’s last seven matches in the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

That is good news for the neutrals, who should be treated to an entertaining encounter on Sunday.

Some Nottingham Forest fans were critical of Dyche’s defence-minded, cautious football. 

Although they will not become a possession-obsessed team overnight, Forest should have more of a go under Pereira.

Whether it works or not remains to be seen, but there is a distinct possibility we will see at least three g pals at the City Ground.

Over 2.5 goals at 8/11 with bet365

Is Salah back?

Mohamed Salah delivered one of his best displays of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend. 

It has been a difficult campaign for the Egypt international. In 2024/25 he delivered one of the greatest individual seasons in Premier League history, but he has looked a shadow of his former self this term.

It looks like Salah could be on his way out of the club in the summer. If that does prove to be the case, he will be desperate to go out on a high.

The performance against Brighton has given Salah something to build on. Do not be surprised if he finds the back of the net again here.

Mohamed Salah to score any time at 6/4 with BoyleSports

Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool predicted lineups

• Nottingham Forest expected lineup: Ortega; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Sangare, Anderson; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus.
• Liverpool expected lineup: Alisson; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.

Where to watch Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool

• Location: City Ground, Nottingham, England.
• Date and time: Sunday 22nd February, 2pm.
• How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event.

More Premier League predictions

We have plenty more Premier League predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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