Nottingham Forest vs Everton

City Ground plays host to a high-stakes Premier League clash between Nottingham Forest and Everton. 

Aston Villa got the better of Nottingham Forest 2-1 last weekend, condemning the Tricky Trees to their first defeat in seven matches across all competitions while denting their hopes of securing Champions League qualification. Nuno Espirito Santo cannot afford another slip-up amid a fierce battle for a top-five finish, with only five points separating them from sixth-placed Manchester City. Confidence comes from Forest’s unforgiving form against sides starting this round in the bottom half of the Premier League standings (W13, D1). Furthermore, they’ve kept a clean sheet in their last four home league outings (W3, D1), including a brace of 1-0 victories against Manchester United and Man City. As a result, they could make it five shutouts in a row for the first time since 1980.

At risk of suffering their first league double since 1994/95, Everton head into proceedings on a six-game winless run in the Premier League (D5, L1) after a 1-1 home draw against Arsenal last weekend. With nothing but pride left to play for, David Moyes’ men will be out to settle the account with Forest after a 2-0 home loss in December’s reverse fixture and strengthen their impressive recent record on the City Ground. Indeed, the Toffees have racked up three wins across their last four away league games against Forest (D1) – as many as they managed in their prior 29 H2Hs at this venue (D6, L20). Another stalemate here would mark Everton’s 15th and most in one season since 2012/13.