Nottingham Forest FC vs Fulham FC, English Premier League 2024-25, Today Match Prediction

Nottingham Forest FC vs Fulham FC Match Prediction & Analysis

Nottingham continued their unbeaten run in the Premier League after last weekend’s exhilarating 2-2 draw at the Amex against Brighton, with flaring tempers seeing both managers and Morgan Gibbs-White sent off. Forest’s Sosa squandered the best chance to help his team leapfrog into fourth spot, a position the reds will want to try familiarising themselves with. The last time Nottingham finished in the top four of the Premier League was in the 1994-1995 season under manager Frank Clark, who was acclaimed for winning the European cup for Forest, albeit as a player in 1979.

Meanwhile, Fulham put in a decent performance by beating Newcastle 3-1, denying the Magpies any opportunity of sitting at the top of the summit. Ex-gunner, prodigy Smith Rowe seems to have switched titles, to become a current-cottager prodigy, as he received a standing ovation on being substituted in what was an impressive performance. Fulham’s forward firepower is slowly but surely beginning to click which could potentially threaten and terrorise the league’s best defenses. 

Head-to-Head Record : Both teams have met on 20 occasions. Forest have won 6 direct matches (30%). Fulham have won 12 matches (60%), with 2 games ending in draws (10%). On average, both teams scored 3.50 goals per game. 

Current Standings : The reds are enjoying life in the top half of the table, after having picked up 9 points from their first 5 games. The men from the midlands go into this fixture not so comfortably in 8th position, with rivals Fulham sitting one position below in 9th with 8 points. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Nottingham Forest FC Preview

Forest have picked up crucial points on the road against Liverpool and Brighton. Their mettle has been tested and are turning out to be dark horses this campaign. Home advantage at the fortress should continue to spark life into the squad. Since 24th August, 2019 up until both clubs recently met in April 2024, 25 goals have been scored in 8 games. The fans will want to get behind their team to score first with the likes of Elanga, Hudson-Odoi’s electric pace and Chris Wood’s world class hold up play. Apart from Manchester City, Arsenal and Brighton, the reds are the only team who have yet to taste defeat this season. 

Impressive season continues 

Goals will surely be a premium in this game. We know Forest don’t particularly need to enjoy majority of possession to claim victory. Nuno’s impact at Forest has been there to see. His counter-attacking style, clear ideas and consequent success merit respect. The Portuguese over the years has had to weave past some turbulent events, but his time at City Ground is slowly coming to fruition. The reds will want to keep things tight at the back, considering they shipped 42 goals in 20 meetings against Fulham. 

Key Players

Chris Wood who scored 14 goals last season, and 3 so far this season will look to continue netting more for his side. Since Nuno took over last December, only 5 players have scored more goals than Wood, converting 29% of his shots in that period (14/48). Support from the flanks will be immense from Hudson-Odoi and Elanga, as they’ll look to get in behind the defense with their blistering pace. 

Stats That Matter 

Nottingham Forest are ranked third worst in ball possession with 39.8% averaging 12.4 shots per game. The Garibaldis score an average of 1.20 goals per match with a shooting accuracy of 44%. Chris Wood is the top scorer with 3 goals this season. Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi have scored one goal apiece. The team has an average of 2.2 saves per game, the third worst in the season. They have conceded an average of 0.80 goals per match.

Injury List: Danilo and Ibrahim Sangaroe continue to be out of action. Although there is a probability for Willy Boly to feature after suffering a calf injury. 

Nottingham Forest Probable Starting Lineup: Mats Selz (GK), Moreno, Murillo, Milenkovic, Aina (DEF), Ward-Prowse, Yates, Dominguez, Anderson (MID), Wood, Elanga (FWD).

Fulham FC Preview

Summer signing Smith Rowe is proving to be a bargain. The fresh start that he looked for away from Arsenal is looking to materialise. The 24 year old’s move across London was as smooth and slick as his movement on the pitch, courtesy to his ball carrying abilities around the opposition’s box. Fulham have at times, paid the price for being wasteful in front of goal, something Silva will want to rectify. 

Fulham up front

Only Man City (36), Spurs (35), Liverpool (34) have had more shots on target in the Premier League this season (28). Their current average of 5.6 shots on target per game is their best in a Premier League campaign. 

Players to watch out for

Adama Traore will look to inflict defeat on his ex-boss, previously having worked together at Wolves. The Spaniard has been involved in 5 goals in 6 appearances (2 goals, 3 assists). His previous 3 assists before this run came over a period of 76 matches. Apart from him, fellow team-mate Andreas Pereira is one to watch out for. So far this season, only Kevin De Bruyne (74) has created more chances than Andreas (66), with 41 of those coming in set plays, the most of any player. It’s the most chances created by a Fulham player since (Danny Murphy, 74).

Stats That Matter 

Fulham are ranked 10th in ball possession with 49% averaging 16 shots per game. The Cottagers score an average of 1.40 goals per match with a shooting accuracy of 35%. Raul Jimenez and Emile Smith Rowe are the top scorers with 2 goals each. The team has an average of 3.2 saves per game, the 9th best in the season. They have conceded an average of 1 goal per match.

Injury list - Carlos Vinicius Alves misses out with a potential return in the next 2 weeks.

Fulham Probable Starting Lineup - Berd Leno (GK), Robinson, Bassey, Andersen, Tete (DEF), Lukic, Andreas Pereira, Iwobi (MID), Smith Rowe, Traore, Jimenez (FWD).

NOTTINGHAM FOREST FC vs FULHAM FC
Winning Prediction

Nottingham Forest won this exact fixture 3-1 last season, ending a run of four home straight defeats against Fulham. They last won consecutive league home games against the Cottagers in 2014-2015. Fulham, on the other hand, have won more league games against Forest than any other opponent in their league history (42). In a nutshell this is an open affair and could swing in either team’s favour with Fulham being the favourites, or in a high scoring draw. 

Fulham FC to Win (0-1)

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