Relegation battling Nottingham Forest meet title-chasing Arsenal at the City Ground.
Victory would see Forest remain 16th in the table and potentially secure safety depending upon results elsewhere this weekend, whilst anything less than a win for Arsenal would see Manchester City crowned champions.
Team News
Emmanuel Dennis could return for Forest after recovering from a knock which has kept him sidelined in recent weeks.
Dean Henderson (muscle), Neco Williams (jaw), Scott McKenna (collarbone), Jack Colback (concussion), Jonjo Shelvey (knock), Omar Richards (leg), Gustavo Scarpa, Giulian Biancone (both knee) and Chris Wood (thigh) remain absent.
Arsenal will be without Gabriel Martinelli after he suffered an ankle injury during their defeat to Brighton.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf), Takehiro Tomiyasu, Mohamed Elneny (both knee) and William Saliba (back) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Forest host Arsenal at the City Ground in a 5:30pm BST kick-off on Saturday 20 May, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Forest have won just one of their last five league meetings against Arsenal (W1, L4).
- Arsenal are unbeaten in four of five previous Premier League visits to Forest (W3, D1, L1).
- Forest are yet to keep a clean sheet in 11 previous Premier League meetings against Arsenal.
- Taiwo Awoniyi has scored twice in each of Forest’s last two matches (W1, D1).
- Arsenal have kept two clean sheets in their last five away matches (W2, D2, L1), with both clean sheets coming in wins at Fulham and Newcastle respectively.
Prediction
Entering this match with a three-point gap to the relegation zone and unbeaten in three of their last four matches, Forest know that they are capable of springing a surprise if they keep playing with the same attacking press and creative play as seen in recent games.
Defending however does remain Forest’ Achilles heel and I just can’t see that changing here, especially with their marking often getting ripped apart by the opposition when stretched beyond their limits, which in-turn has left them exposed despite Keylor Navas’ exploits in goal.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners though were clinically outclassed at home by Brighton last weekend where their end product was just wasteful amidst decent attacking quality, whilst their defence were just outplayed in all three second-half goals so a reaction is required.
Forest though have won their two most recent home clashes against Arsenal – albeit in FA Cup, so can’t be underestimated here after producing an energetic performance to draw 2-2 at Chelsea last weekend, which will give them a confidence boost coming into this game against tougher opposition.
Either way, this game is unlikely to finish goalless but if Arsenal can reset and score first then kick on, I fancy them to put the pressure back on Man City in the title race even if it is for just 22 hours at minimum.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal
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