Nottingham Forest will look to move themselves outside of the relegation zone as they travel to Portman Road to take on newly-promoted Ipswich Town on Friday Night Football.
Nottingham Forest’s losing run in the Premier League was extended to three matches last Sunday, as they lost 0-1 at home to reigning champions Arsenal.
It looked as if Oliver Glasner’s men were going to hold out for a point, but Noni Madueke’s late deflected strike earned the Gunners all three points – on an afternoon two of my three selections landed.
That result leaves the Tricky Trees in 19th position, a point adrift from safety, but they will take confidence from the fact that four of the five points they have acquired this season have come on their travels (W1-D1-L1).
Ipswich Town took plaudits for their performance at the Etihad against Manchester City last weekend, but they were on the wrong side of a five-goal thriller.
Whilst that’s now four defeats since promotion back to the Premier League, Gary O’Neil’s men have won the other three (W3-D0-L4), leaving the Tractor Boys in 10th position, five points clear of the relegation zone.
How the bookies view it: Forest favourites
Despite losing each of their last three Premier League clashes, Nottingham Forest travel to Portman Road as favourites, with bet365 pricing an away win at 6/5.
Ipswich are 9/4 to claim a third win from four at home in the Premier League this season, whilst the draw is 12/5.
Head to head: Six unbeaten for Forest
Nottingham Forest are unbeaten in each of their previous six meetings with Ipswich Town, doing the double over them when the Tractor Boys were last in the Premier League two seasons ago.
Ipswich’s last win over the Tricky Trees came in a 4-2 success at Portman Road in the Championship in December 2017.
Players to watch: Gibbs-White to mark his return with a goal?
After missing the Arsenal defeat last weekend, Nottingham Forest are hoping their talisman will be back for their trip to Portman Road on Friday.
The England international has been involved in three of Forest’s five Premier League goals this season, and pays an appealing 21/20 at bet365 to Score or Assist.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Predicted line-ups:
Ipswich appear to be at near full strength, with Sasa Lukic the only doubt.
Nottingham Forest look set to be without the injured Igor Jesus and Nicolo Savona, but Morgan Gibbs-White could return after missing the defeat against Arsenal last weekend.
Ipswich Town: Walton, O’Shea, Diop, Greaves, Davis, Luis, Palacios, Ouattara, Enciso, Maeda, Emersonn
Nottingham Forest: Sels, Cunha, Diomande, Murillo, Munoz, Schlager, McAtee, Williams, Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Delap
Anything else catch the eye?
Nottingham Forest’s opening four Premier League fixtures at the City Ground have produced just three goals, with the Tricky Trees still yet to score in front of their supporters.
However, it’s a different story on their travels, with their three road trips averaging 3.67 goals per game, with Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals landing on each occasion.
Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals has paid out in 7/9 (78%) of Ipswich’s fixtures in league and cup this season – and a repeat pays an appealing 20/21 at bet365.
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