Liverpool will look to record back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time since the end of December as they travel to the City Ground to take on relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon.
Liverpool bounced back from their dramatic late loss at home to Manchester City on Sunday, as they won 0-1 away at Sunderland two Wednesdays ago, inflicting the Black Cats’ first home defeat this season.
That was just their second win from their last eight Premier League encounters (W2-D4-L2) – and just their third away from home since the end of September (W3-D5-L5) – with Arne Slot’s men remaining in sixth position in the Premier League table, but they are now just three points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United.
The Reds also advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup last Saturday, cruising to a 3-0 victory over out-of-form Brighton, on an evening in which I landed a 23/20 winner.
Nottingham Forest are remarkably now on their fourth manager of the season, following Sean Dyche’s sacking last week after their goalless draw at home to rock-bottom Wolves in the Premier League, on an evening in which I landed a 10/11 winner.
That result means the Tricky Trees remain in 17th position in the Premier League table, just three points above the relegation zone.
However, Vitor Pereira couldn’t have made a better start as new Forest boss on Thursday night, as they recorded an impressive and well-deserved 0-3 victory in Istanbul against Fenerbahce in the first leg of their Europa League playoff tie.
How the bookies view it: Liverpool favourites
Liverpool are favourites to claim a third consecutive win in all competitions on Sunday, with bet365 pricing an away success at 4/5.
Forest are 31/10 to make it two wins from two under new boss Vitor Pereira, whilst the draw is 29/10.
Head to head: Three unbeaten for the Tricky Trees
Nottingham Forest are unbeaten in each of their previous three meetings with the reigning Premier League champions (W2-D1-L0), including a memorable 0-3 victory at Anfield in the reverse fixture in November.
Players to watch: Dom to deliver again?
After missing Liverpool’s victory at Sunderland through suspension, Dominik Szoboszlai returned to the starting line-up against Brighton in the FA Cup last weekend, and marked it by scoring the second of the game.
The Hungarian international now has seven goal contributions across his previous eight matches in all competitions for Arne Slot’s side, and the 7/5 on offer at bet365 for him to Score or Assist on Sunday at the City Ground appeals to me.
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:
Nottingham Forest will be without the injured Matz Sels, John Victor, Willy Boly, Nicola Savona and Chris Wood.
Liverpool will still be missing Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, Wataru Endo and Alexander Isak through injury.
Nottingham Forest: Ortega, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams, Sangare, Anderson, Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Jesus
Liverpool: Alisson, Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo, Salah, Ekitike
Anything else catch the eye?
Liverpool’s matches have been a nightmare to predict this season, given they have been consistently inconsistent, but I’m willing to give them the edge here despite their poor record at this venue – one win in their last 15 visits (W1-D8-L6).
The Reds looked back to their old selves at the Stadium of Light in their 0-1 victory there in their last Premier League outing and followed that up with a comfortable 3-0 success over Brighton in the FA Cup.
GambleAware