Nottingham Forest begin life under Nuno Espirito Santo against Bournemouth at the City Ground.
Victory could see Forest move up to 16th if Everton lose elsewhere, whilst Bournemouth can go 12th with a win or draw if can better Fulham’s result.
Team News
Ibrahim Sagare is a doubt for Forest due to an adductor injury, which kept him out of their defeat to Tottenham.
Serge Aurier (calf) and Felipe (muscle) are doubts but Taiwo Awoniyi (groin) remains absent.
Bournemouth could be without Milos Kerkez and Antoine Semenyo due to respective ankle and knock injuries.
Darren Randolph (illness), Ryan Fredericks (calf), Max Aarons, Lloyd Kelly, Tyler Adams (all hamstring), Hemed Traore (illness) and Emiliano Marcondes (foot) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Forest host Bournemouth at the City Ground in a 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday 23 December, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Nottingham Forest are winless in their two previous Premier League meetings against Bournemouth (D1, L1).
- Bournemouth won 3-2 in their only previous Premier League visit to Forest in September 2022.
- Bournemouth’s Jaidon Anthony scored in both appearances against Forest last season, although he is currently out on loan at Leeds this season.
- Coming into this matchweek, no player has been caught offside on more occasions this season than Forest’s Anthony Elanga (15).
- Two of Bournemouth’s four shots to hit the woodwork this season have been struck by Dominic Solanke.
Prediction
With Steve Cooper sacked following a run of one win in Forest’s last 13 matches, Espirito Santo definitely has a tough task on his hands to make an immediate impact but there is no doubt the potential in the squad if they can just click and cut out defensive sloppiness plus wasteful end product.
Bournemouth meanwhile are a slightly tricky team to predict mentally after the difficult incident involving Luton’s Tom Lockyer in their clash last weekend, but the Cherries are professionals and given their form I do expect them to come here fighting for the win.
Andoni Iraola’s Cherries though will be wary of Forest’s fresh managerial bounce so another close game could be on the cards, although I just fancy Cherries to put the past week behind them with a win if they can start well and get at Forest’s wobbly defence.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Bournemouth
Result: Nottingham Forest 2-3 Bournemouth
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