Nottingham Forest vs Bury Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Nottingham Forest got their first win of the season at the third attempt, after they opened the season with two draws.

The team beat Reading 1-0 at home, with a Hillel Soudani winner coming in the second half. Whilst manager Aitor Karanka will be happy with the result, he may not be happy with the performance. Against a spirited Reading side that will most likely be in the other half of the Championship table, Forest were largely contained effectively and could not find a way through for most of the match.

This could worry Karanka, especially with the supposed goal threat the team possess, as £6m signing Lewis Grabban still awaits to get off the mark for Forest. Indeed, although they remain unbeaten in the league, having drawn with both Bristol City away, as well as West Brom at home, they dominated these matches but could not finish the chances created. Against better teams, Forest could be punished for their lack of clinical finishing.

The team did bolster on deadline day, with full-back Sam Byram arriving from Leeds on a season-long loan deal, whilst midfielder Michael Hefele joined from Huddersfield. These players should freshen up the team further, and provide some competition for places.

However, the most important thing for Forest is to work on their attacking play and finishing, if they want to mount a serious and sustained promotion bid.

Back in League Two after being relegated last season, Bury have had an adequate start to the campaign.

Both of their matches have finished 1-0, with winners coming in the 90th minute- they beat Yeovil Town in the first game, but lost 1-0 to MK Dons on Saturday. The last-minute goal from MK Dons will have been particularly gutting, as they appeared to match the pre-season favourites throughout the match. They had significantly more possession, more shots and shots on target, as well as containing MK Dons’ quality well.

Despite that result, Bury will have been pleased with the relative stability they have shown in this league, and that they can be more than competitive against the better teams.

Although, like Forest, Bury will need to work on their finishing. In their first match against Yeovil, their opponents played with nine men for over half an hour of the match, yet Bury could still not find a way through. Coupled with no goals against MK Dons, the team needs to improve its goal conversion rate to have a better chance of being promoted. That being said, the team looks solid enough and could finish in the top-half at least.

Thus, due to Bury’s lack of goal threat and Forest’s superior quality, we think Forest will “Win to Nil”. This could be the case even if Forest field a weakened team, as Bury might do the same to focus on the league, plus the home side now have an impressive depth to their squad that their second-string team is still full of talent.

Although, Forest do appear to have problems finishing their chances as well. Therefore, it may not be a thrashing by the Championship side, but rather a comprehensive victory, with a 2-0 correct score-line reflecting this.