AFC Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest
English Premier League, KO: 15:00 Jan 25, 2025, Vitality Stadium
Two of the Premier League’s surprise packages this season square off at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon, as Bournemouth face Nottingham Forest.
Bournemouth are currently occupying seventh place in the top-flight table, while Forest are surveying the standings from the lofty heights of third place.
Andoni Iraola’s hosts produced one of their best performances of the season with a 4-1 demolition of Newcastle at St James’ Park last weekend.
That Tyneside triumph extended the Cherries’ unbeaten run in the Premier League to 10 matches, a sequence that stretches back to November.
As for Nottingham Forest, they continued their quest for Champions League qualification with a 3 -2 win over Southampton last Sunday, in a game that brought up one of my City Ground selections.
Quite remarkably, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will start the latest round of top-flight action level on points with second-placed Arsenal, and just six points off the summit.
How the bookies view it: Cherries to chop down Forest
Despite winning just one of their last three Premier League home games, Bournemouth enter this contest as 21/20 favourites on Boylesports.
Nottingham Forest – who have triumphed in each of their last four top-flight road trips – are 23/10 outsiders on Boylesports to emerge from the Vitality Stadium victorious, while a share of the south coast spoils can be backed at 5/2 with the same firm.
Head to head: Another stalemate in store?
Three of the last four Premier League meetings between the pair have ended all square, including August’s reverse fixture. What's more, each of those three stalemates have featured under 2.5 goals, and a repeat here merits consideration at even-money (1/1) on Boylesports given that it is a bet that has landed in 12 of Nottingham Forest’s 22 Premier league games this season.
Players to watch: More joy for Justin?
Fresh off the back of scoring his second Premier League hat-trick of the season, Justin Kluivert is a tempting 5/2 on Boylesports for an anytime strike against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
After scoring his 14th Premier League goal of the season against Southampton last Sunday, Chris Wood is as big as 9/4 with Boylesports to notch again this weekend.
Predicted line-ups
Bournemouth are carrying a heavy injury list at the moment, with Adam Smith, Alex Scott, Enes Unal, Evanilson, Julian Araujo, Luis Sinisterra, Marcos Senesi and Marcus Tavernier all unavailable.
Callum Hudson-Odoi is rated as doubtful after he was forced off for Nottingham Forest during last week’s win over Southampton, while midfielder Ibrahim Sangare will definitely miss out.
Bournemouth: Kepa; Cook, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Adams; Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Ouattara
Nottingham Forest: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Yates; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Anderson; Wood
Anything else catch the eye?
Dipping into the player props market, Morgan Gibbs-White looks worth getting behind to hit the target at least once on Saturday afternoon.
The Nottingham Forest ace is averaging a shade under one on-target effort per 90 in the Premier League this season.
Moreover, this bet would have paid out in eight of Gibbs-White’s last 10 top-flight appearances.
This English Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest will be played on Jan 25, 2025 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best AFC Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
