Nottingham Forest vs Everton Predictions

• Both teams have not scored in six of Forest’s last seven Premier League games
• Both teams have not scored in seven of Everton’s last eight matches
• Everton have failed to score in their last three games

Toffees will face a tough test by the Trent

Everton enjoyed an emphatic home win against Nottingham Forest earlier this month, but all recent signs point to Tuesday’s game being a much more difficult one for them.

The Toffees moved up to seventh in the table after recording their fourth win in five when they beat Sean Dyche’s side 3-0.

But failing to score in their subsequent three games and taking only one point from a drab draw against Burnley has seen David Moyes men fall back to 11th, albeit still seven points clear of Forest in the final position of safety.

Everton lack a threat without wing wonders

The reasons for their recent drop-off are pretty obvious: Iliman Ndiaye is at the African Cup of Nations and Jack Grealish is feeling under the weather, leaving them with much less penetration in the final third. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who has been a recent source of goals, was also missing on Saturday at Turf Moor so Tyler Dibling was thrust into the starting XI in an attempt to liven up a lacklustre attack.

But the teenager failed to sustain his early sparkle and was hooked late on as Moyes settled for a point. Everton are unlikely to trouble Forest’s defence much either until their unfit players or African stars, which also includes dependable midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye, return.

Dyche will sense a chance to turn the tables against his former club here, especially after what was a largely promising display in Saturday’s home 2-1 loss to Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side dominated possession and had plenty of shots, but they created only one big chance in 90 minutes.

Forest are reverting to type

Only three clubs – Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton – have conceded fewer goals than the Tricky Trees in the last eight games and that stat points us in the direction of the main recommendation – both teams not to score. There have not been goals at both ends in six of Forest’s last seven Premier League games and seven of Everton’s last eight matches.

Forest were always a first goal team under Nuno Espirito Santo, meaning that they won more games than most when they bagged first and struggled to overturn deficits. They appear to be heading back to that identity after the weird spell under Ange Postecoglu turned things upside down earlier this term.
Forest could nick this 1-0 or 2-0 if they get their noses in front and the former is probably still the best play in correct score markets given Dyche’s side are averaging 1.33 goals per game at the City Ground in the league.