Everton chase a first win of the season as Frank Lampard’s Toffees host Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park.
Victory could see Everton climb out of the relegation zone depending on results elsewhere, whilst Forest can stay in the top-half of the table with a win.
Team News
Allan is a doubt for Everton after he suffered a knock during their defeat at Aston Villa last weekend.
Andre Gomes (knock) is a doubt but Abdoulaye Doucoure (hamstring) is ruled out.
Ben Godfrey (fibula), Yerry Mina (ankle), Andros Townsend and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (both knee) remain absent.
Forest could welcome Ryan Yates back from a knee injury which has kept him out of their two opening matches, including last weekend’s home win over West Ham.
Jack Colback (illness) and Omar Richards (leg) are both ruled out although Colback could return next weekend if he is fit enough.
Stat Attack
- Everton have won four of their last five meetings against Nottingham Forest (W4, L1).
- Forest have won two of five previous Premier League visits to Goodison Park (W2, L3), during which they failed to score in their three defeats.
- This is the first meeting between Everton and Forest to be played this century in all competitions.
- Defeat would see Everton lose their first two home matches of a new season for the first time since 2008-09 campaign, when they conceded three goals in defeats against Blackburn and Portsmouth.
- Five of Forest’s seven yellow cards in their opening two matches were shown after half-time.
Prediction
Everton will come into this game disappointed to have not snatched a draw at Aston Villa last weekend, yet they can take positives from their strong attacking pressure and pace on the ball, although they were defensively undone by sudden interceptions of loose passes plus wasted attacks.
Forest meanwhile were simply excellent in front of a raucous home crowd last weekend with superb goalkeeping from Dean Henderson again, but they’re now back on the road and must look to build on that result than revert to their weak away effort as seen at Newcastle a fortnight ago.
Should they do that and weather Everton’s attacking quality, the first goal will be crucial given that they’re yet to score at Goodison Park in the Premier League after conceding first, but I can see a tough scrap as Everton look for the finishing touch whilst Forest look to build early momentum.
If there is a winner then my bet would be on whichever team scores first otherwise I am plumping for a score draw.
Prediction: Everton 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Result: Everton 1-1 Nottingham Forest
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