Our betting expert has three Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal tips for Wednesday’s Premier League match at the City Ground (7.30pm kick-off). Scroll down for the analysis behind his selections.
By Luke Weaser-Seychell
- Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal – Draw @ 13/5 with bet365
- Elliot Anderson Over 0.5 shots on target @ 3/1 with bet365
- BetBuilder – Under three goals, Thomas Partey, Jurrien Timber, Elliot Anderson, Ryan Yates to commit 1+ fouls, Mikel Merino 2+ shots @ 5/1 with bet365
Gunners title hopes to fade away at the City Ground
Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to West Ham handed title rivals Liverpool a huge advantage ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester City and they took it with both hands as they won 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium.
The Reds are now 11 points clear of Arsenal and although the Gunners do have a game in hand, they cannot afford any more slip-ups.
Sadly, Mikel Arteta and his squad face a difficult trip to the City Ground to deal with on Wednesday.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have only lost twice at home this season and they have claimed 24 points from 12 matches in front of their own fans.
Arsenal may have the second-best away record in the league, but they are without Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli in the final third.
The Gunners have started to look a little toothless in the final third, failing to score in two of their last three games in all competitions, and these two teams could cancel each other out on Wednesday night.
Forest’s critics will question their successive defeats to Fulham and Newcastle United, but both of those came away from home and at the City Ground they should be a tough nut to crack.
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal Tip 1: Draw @ 13/5 with bet365
Forest midfielder to try his luck
The majority of the headlines ahead of Wednesday’s game will focus on Forest striker Chris Wood and his superb scoring record.
The former Burnley frontman faces one of the best defences in the league this weekend, meaning one of his team-mates may need to come up with the goods.
Elliot Anderson has registered 34 shots this season and 10 of those have come in his last six games.
Anderson will be aiming to get up and down the park, and if Wood is marked by Gabriel or William Saliba, it will be Anderson who could force David Raya into making a save.
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal Tip 2: Elliot Anderson Over 0.5 shots on target @ 3/1 with bet365
Stop-start game expected in Nottingham
With defences set to dominate, under three goals looks like a sensible play this week.
Only 31 per cent of Arsenal’s away games this season have contained over 2.5 goals, and they will look to keep things tight and try to catch Forest off guard.
A whole host of players should find themselves punished by the officials. Thomas Partey has committed 40 fouls this season, including seven in his last four games.
Jurrien Timber has conceded six in five and he has also collected eight yellows this season.
Ryan Yates and Anderson will have a ton of work to do in the middle of the park and both men have conceded four fouls in five games, while Yates only featured three times during that run.
Anderson has attempted 63 tackles this season, so expect him to be at the heart of everything Forest do in midfield.
Finally, Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino is the one to watch in the final third for the Gunners.
He has been given a central role due to injuries to his team-mates and he has had two shots in three of his last five appearances for the club.
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal Tip 3: BetBuilder – Under three goals, Thomas Partey, Jurrien Timber, Elliot Anderson, Ryan Yates to commit 1+ fouls, Mikel Merino 2+ shots @ 5/1 with bet365
