Nottingham Forest vs Everton

A rare loss last weekend has tightened the race for third-placed Forest, as their rivals gained ground, while Everton showed their grit by holding Arsenal at bay at Goodison Park.

Forest’s seven-match unbeaten streak in the league ended with a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, slightly denting their hold on a top-four position. Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad still sits third, but the teams below them—Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Aston Villa—all secured wins in matchweek 31, and Manchester City remain a looming threat.

With Newcastle holding a game in hand that could shrink Forest’s lead to just one point, and many expecting City to close the current five-point gap, Forest need to sustain their impressive form through the season’s end to stay in contention.

At home, Forest have been nearly untouchable against lower-half teams, earning 40 of a possible 42 points from 14 such games this season. Their City Ground form is equally strong, with seven victories in their last nine home matches, the other two ending in draws—a stark improvement from the seven wins in their previous 24 home games.

This Forest team dreams of echoing the glory days of Brian Clough’s side from over four decades ago, when they competed in the Champions League. Bolstered by four consecutive home clean sheets—a feat not seen from a Forest top-flight side since Clough’s era—they head into this match with confidence.

Nuno’s men also kept Everton scoreless in their 2-0 win at Goodison Park earlier this season, setting the stage for a potential league double over the Toffees, something Forest haven’t achieved since 1994-95.

Still, recent history suggests it won’t be straightforward. Everton have triumphed in three of their last four visits to the City Ground, including last season’s 1-0 win courtesy of Dwight McNeil, who’s likely to feature again after recovering from injury.

Everton, though, have struggled against the Premier League’s elite, managing just two away wins in 67 matches against teams starting the day in the top three—a record that could give Forest the edge.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side kept a clean sheet in their previous meeting with Everton at Goodison Park, securing a 2-0 win. Now, Nottingham Forest have the chance to achieve a league double over the Toffees for the first time since the 1994-95 season.

However, recent form suggests it won’t be straightforward. Everton have won three of their last four visits to the City Ground, including last season’s narrow 1-0 victory, courtesy of Dwight McNeil’s solitary strike. The winger, recently back from injury, is expected to feature again in this clash.

While Everton have struggled against the Premier League’s elite—winning just two of their last 67 away matches against sides in the top three—they’ve proven they can still frustrate teams near the top. Arsenal learned that the hard way last week, held to a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park. That result extended Everton’s run of draws, with six of their last eight league matches ending level.