West Bromwich Albion vs Nottingham Forest Predictions

• West Bromwich Albion’s last 4 games have featured under 2.5 goals, as have 4 of Nottingham Forest’s last 5.
• Both sides drew 0-0 in Championship fixtures played just 72 hours prior to this meeting.
• West Brom have the league’s only unbeaten home record, but Forest have lost once in 11 matches under Steve Cooper.

West Brom Stuttering, Solid Forest Improving?

There have been murmurings of discontent around Valerien Ismael’s West Bromwich Albion recently, with the midlands side unable to match the blistering pace being set by Fulham and Bournemouth at the top of the Championship. Albion lost 4 consecutive away games prior to Tuesday’s goalless draw at Blackpool, and were held to a frustrating stalemate in front of their own fans by Middlesborough last weekend.

Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, have impressed since Steve Cooper took the reigns, losing just once in his 11 matches at the helm, a defeat which came at the hands of goal-happy pacesetters Fulham. Forest are unbeaten in 5 since then, although they have drawn 4 of those matches; none of those 5 featured more than 3 goals, and 4 saw 2 or fewer.

Tight Affair Likely at the Hawthorns

Forest were left hanging on during Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Luton after Jack Colback’s red card. The influential midfielder will miss Friday’s trip to the Hawthorns, and his team’s defensive efforts in midweek could take their toll when they return to action after a break of just 72 hours.

West Brom’s last 4 fixtures have all featured a maximum of 2 goals, and a run of 3 games without a win has contributed to the growing dissatisfaction of some fans. Albion do boast the Championship’s only unbeaten home record, although visitors Forest have not lost away from home under Cooper’s leadership.

With that in mind, I’m steering clear of the outright markets, deeming West Brom to be unpredictable favourites and Forest to be dangerous opponents. A bet of under 2.5 match goals seems solid, given that both teams have endured a number of tight games recently, and with both facing a narrow turnover after their midweek excursions. Pushed for a correct score prediction, I’d back the hosts to maintain their strong home record with a 1-0 victory, and am expecting a tight affair on Friday night.