Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips

Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes are hanging by a thread as they visit relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest.

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Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal predictions

The Premier League title race is as good as over.

Manchester City’s 3-0 victory over Everton on Sunday was followed by an Arsenal loss to Brighton & Hove Albion by the same scoreline.

The upshot is that City hold a four-point advantage over Arsenal and still have a game in hand on the north Londoners. A victory over Chelsea on Sunday would secure the prize for Pep Guardiola’s side.

They might even be crowned champions of England for a fifth time in six years on Saturday. If Arsenal lose to Nottingham Forest, City will no longer be catchable at the summit of the standings. 

That outcome is perhaps not quite as unlikely as the table appears to suggest, as we will explore in more detail later in this preview.

There has been much debate over whether Arsenal have thrown the title away or have massively overachieved this campaign. Both are true.

After finishing fifth last term, few anticipated the Gunners even qualifying for the Champions League this time around. To have pushed such a fantastic City side right up until the final weeks of the campaign represents a fantastic effort.

But it is also the case that Arsenal have not done themselves justice in recent weeks. Their last seven games have produced two wins. 

Over the same period, Mikel Arteta’s men have collected fewer points than Fulham, Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers. In particular the Gunners will look back at the draws against West Ham United and Southampton with regret. 

Still, Arsenal must aim to finish the season strongly before going again in 2023/24.

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal betting tips

Nottingham Forest are fighting for their lives, so this will not be a straightforward assignment for Arsenal.

Nottingham Forest or draw – 11/8 (bet365)

Nottingham Forest have their fate in their own hands.

A 2-2 draw with Chelsea after a battling performance at Stamford Bridge leaves Steve Cooper’s side on 34 points. 

They hold a three-point advantage over Leeds United in 18th and are a further point clear of Leicester City, who look doomed after a 3-0 loss to Liverpool on Monday night.

One more win would probably be enough for Forest to preserve their Premier League status after what has been an eventful season at the City Ground – both on and off the pitch.

Forest will travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on the final day. That will be seen as the most likely source of three points, but Roy Hodgson’s side are playing with great freedom right now and Forest have only won once on the road all season.

Do not rule out a shock Forest triumph over Arsenal. The Gunners looked physically and mentally spent against Brighton. The mood at their training ground will have been low this week.

Cooper’s charges are pretty strong at the City Ground. Forest have only lost two of their last 14 Premier League games in front of their own fans. Overall they have the 12th-best home record in the division.

Under 2.5 goals – 11/8 (bet365)

Nottingham Forest beat Southampton 4-3 in their last home encounter, before that 2-2 draw with Chelsea last time out.

If they are to get a positive result this weekend, Forest must try to keep things tighter. If this game becomes stretched and the ball pings from end to end, Arsenal have the speed and quality to destroy the home team in transition.

Forest would be better off sitting deep and waiting for their moment to pounce. That should come pretty naturally since Cooper’s team are not overly concerned with dominating the ball: they have the lowest average possession this season.

Arsenal are usually quick starters on the road. They have scored 16 goals in the opening 30 minutes of away games in 2022/23. But events of the last few weeks – culminating in the emphatic defeat by Brighton on Sunday – will have taken an emotional toll.

In front of a red-hot atmosphere at the City Ground, Arsenal’s attack may struggle to dig sufficiently deep now that the title has gone.

A low-scoring game could be on the cards in this one

Taiwo Awoniyi to score any time – 3/1 (bet365)

Taiwo Awoniyi’s return to form has come at just the right time.

The former Union Berlin frontman has scored back-to-back braces against Southampton and Chelsea, firing Forest to a vital four points in their fight for survival.

Arsenal’s defence has let them down of late. They have conceded 15 goals in their last seven outings – only Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United have shipped more since the 2-2 draw with Liverpool that kick-started the Gunners’ run.

Awoniyi’s power and physicality could cause problems for Jakub Kiwior. The Polish centre-back has yet to convince since replacing Rob Holding in the XI.

Morgan Gibbs-White and Brennan Johnson are arguably Forest’s most important players. Their ability to burst football with the ball at their feet is integral to the team’s counter-attacking approach.

But Awoniyi is also a key figure. He has stepped up in recent weeks and is now Forest’s joint-top scorer alongside Johnson. 

How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal

• Location: City Ground, Nottingham, England.
• Date and time: Saturday 20 May 2023, 5.30pm.
• How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

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