NOTTINGHAM FOREST will be looking to put the brakes on their nosedive down the Premier League table when they meet Aston Villa at the City Ground on Monday night.
It has been a real baptism of fire for the Tricky Trees following their two-decade exile from the top-flight, with the hosts losing six of their opening eight matches of the season.
Last time out, Forest were thumped 4-0 at East Midlands rivals Leicester, a bruising defeat that resulted in the newly-promoted hosts hitting rock-bottom of the Premier League, piling the pressure on boss Steve Cooper in the process.
As such, the early season optimism surrounding the City Ground has swiftly evaporated and they can expect little respite when Aston Villa pay them a visit on Monday night.
After a slow start to the campaign, Steven Gerrard has steadied the ship at Villa Park, with his side currently in the midst of three-game unbeaten run, the most recent of which was a goalless draw at Leeds.
However, given that the Whites had to play almost all of the entire second-half with 10 men at Elland Road last Sunday, it was a missed opportunity for the Villians who start the weekend languishing in 14th place.
Outright Betting
Nottingham Forest have fallen to defeat in each of their last three home games and the bookies' odds suggest that trend will continue, with a Tricky Trees win trading at 5/2 (William Hill) while a point apiece pays 12/5 (PaddyPower).
Aston Villa, who are winless in each of their last five Premier League away games, arrive at the City Ground as 6/5 (Bet 365) favourites.
Betting Angles
This feels like a tricky fixture to tackle from a 1×2 perspective so I'm going to steer clear of the outright betting and instead take the 10/11 in PaddyPowers' #WhatOddsPaddy market on 2+ Goals, 3+ Corners for Each Team & 1+ Cards for Each Team.
Goals have been a regular feature in Nottingham Forest games this season, with seven of their opening eight Premier League matches producing a minimum of two goals.
What's more, five of Aston Villa's eight top-flight games this term have featured at least two strikes, including three of their four road matches.
As such, I'm happy to side with two goals at the City Ground on Monday night and I'm also prepared to back each team to clock up at least three corner kicks during this dust-up.
Nottingham Forest have been standard frequency corner takers this term, averaging 4.50 on home turf, while Villa's flag kick per 90 tally when playing away from Villa Park this season is a shade under five.
With a closely-fought contest anticipated, I'll round off the same game multiple by backing both teams to collect a minimum one one booking in what could be a heavy-hitting match-up under the East Midlands lights.
Steve Cooper's hosts have averaged a sizeable 3.00 cards per -game across the opening stretch of the season, while Steven Gerrard's guests are not too far behind on 2.50.
It's also worth pointing out that referee Anthony Taylor, who will oversee proceedings at the City Ground, has awarded a card to both teams a card in each of his last four top-flight assignments.
One player who could be worth considering to pick up a card is Nottingham Forest's Scott McKenna who has been priced up at 10/3 with William Hill.
The Scottish centre-back has been cautioned in three of his first eight matches as Premier League player so he looks like a value play to have his name taken again on Monday night
This English Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa will be played on Oct 10, 2022 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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