Arsenal will look to strengthen their position at the top of the Premier League table as they travel to the City Ground to take on relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest in the teatime slot on Saturday.
Arsenal missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to eight points last Thursday, as they were held to a goalless draw at home to reigning champions Liverpool.
However, the Gunners did advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday after coming from a goal down to win 1-4 away at Championship strugglers Portsmouth, before winning 2-3 at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final.
Nottingham Forest eased their relegation fears in their last Premier League outing, as they came from a goal down to win 1-2 away at relegation rivals.
Not only did that result put an end to their four-game losing streak in the Premier League, but it moved Forest seven points clear of the Hammers in the drop zone.
However, unlike their visitors, Sean Dyche’s men were knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship opposition, as they lost on penalties to Wrexham after a thrilling 3-3 draw, on an evening in which all three of my selections landed.
How the bookies view it: Gunners favourites
Arsenal are expected to return to winning ways in the Premier League on Saturday, with bet365 pricing up an away success at just 8/15.
Nottingham Forest are 9/2 with the same firm to back up their win over West Ham, whilst the draw is 10/3.
Head to head: Five unbeaten for Arsenal
Arsenal are unbeaten in each of their previous five Premier League meetings with Nottingham Forest, winning four of them (W4-D1-L0), including a comfortable 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture at the Emirates back in September.
Players to watch: Gabriel to cause more set-piece trouble
Arsenal are renowned for their set-piece prowess, with Gabriel a real danger in opposition boxes.
The Brazilian centre back has scored three goals and provided two assists across his opening 15 Premier League appearances this season – including goals in recent wins at home to Aston Villa and away at Bournemouth – and is an appealing 7/2 to Score or Assist against a Forest side that has already conceded 13 goals from set plays this term.
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Predicted line-ups:
Nottingham Forest will be without the injured John Victor and Chris Wood, but Willy Boly and Ibrahim Sangare are back from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Mikel Arteta will likely still be without defenders Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie and Ricardo Calafiori due to injury.
Nottingham Forest: Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams, Dominguez, Anderson, Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Jesus
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Rice, Trossard, Saka, Gyokeres
Anything else catch the eye?
Arsenal have since followed up their goalless draw at home to Liverpool by winning away to Portsmouth and Chelsea in the cup, and I’m expecting them continue their winning run at the City Ground on Saturday.
Nottingham Forest have lost five of their last six matches in all competitions, as well as losing six of their past nine Premier League fixtures in front of their supporters (W2-D1-L6).
All 12 of Forest’s defeats in the Premier League this season have featured fewer than five goals – including a 3-0 loss at the Emirates in the reverse fixture back in September – and an Arsenal Win & Under 4.5 Goals is my main selection for this clash.
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