Football
Nottingham Forest vs Everton Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
Date: April 12, 2025 Venue: City Ground Kickoff Time: 16:00 Nuno Espirito Santo must be given credit for the exceptional job he has done with Nottingham Forest. After finishing in 17th place last season, the Portuguese mentor is on track to deliver the Reds’ highest-ever finish in the Premier League with a spot in the Champions League almost guaranteed since their last appearance in 1980. Everton, on the other hand, have improved since David Moyes returned and will look to make this fixture as difficult as possible with the intention of claiming the victory on the day. The stakes here haven’t just shifted on the pitch but also across key football betting sites.
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Anthony Elanga in action with Idrissa Gueye and Vitalii Mykolenko//Getty Images
Pre-Game Odds & Win Probability
HOME: 49/50 (1.98) – 50.5%
DRAW: 47/20 (3.35) – 29.9%
AWAY: 3/1 (4.00) – 25%
Odds courtesy of Betway, subject to change.
Head-To-Head Record
Last five meetings (Premier League)
29/12/2024: Everton 0-2 Nottingham
21/04/2024: Everton 2-0 Nottingham
02/12/2023: Nottingham 0-1 Everton
05/03/2023: Nottingham 2-2 Everton
20/08/2022: Everton 1-1 Nottingham
Nottingham Current Form – DWWWL
Nottingham is punching way above their weight as they occupy third place in the league standings. Nuno Espirito Santo has seen the team buy into his philosophy, which focuses on aggressive pressing, quick transitions, and direct attacks, particularly on the counter. Furthermore, Forest have won double the number of games they did last season, emphasising the impact Nuno has had on the team.
The Reds have taken some big scalps with them this season, earning respect as a formidable opponent. This was shown in the 0-0 draw against Arsenal, followed by victories over Manchester City, Ipswich, and Manchester United. Despite the narrow defeat against Aston Villa, the last five games have displayed their well-organised setup and tactical discipline, which has been not only surprising but a joy to watch.
Key Players To Watch
- Anthony Elanga: Elanga's pace allows him to outrun defenders and create space in wide areas, making him a constant threat on the counterattack. His high work rate and stamina allow him to contribute both offensively and defensively, tracking back to help his team when needed. He also has a knack for finding the back of the net, often scoring crucial goals in important matches.
- Morgan Gibbs-White: Gibbs-White has excellent ball control and dribbling skills, allowing him to navigate through tight spaces and maintain possession under pressure. He is adept at creating scoring opportunities for his teammates with precise passes and clever through balls. His vision on the field enables him to spot and exploit gaps in the opposition's defence, making him a standout player in the midfield.
- Murillo: Murillo is strong in tackles and aerial duels, making him a formidable presence in the backline. Unlike traditional center-backs, Murillo is comfortable with the ball at his feet. He has a decent passing range, allowing him to initiate attacks from the back. His understanding of the game and positioning helps him anticipate and intercept opposition plays effectively.
Nottingham Team News
Regular starting right-back Ola Aina has sustained a calf injury and is set to be out for the next few weeks.
Chris Wood has made great progress during his recovery period and is hoping to regain his place in the starting lineup after suffering a hip injury on international duty.
Everton Current Form – DDDLD
David Moyes has returned for his second spell with Everton after the club decided to sack Sean Dyche following a series of poor results. Before Moyes returned, the Toffees found themselves in the relegation fight but have since turned the corner and look like a more well-organised team.
There has definitely been an improvement under Moyes, but they have not been able to turn draws into wins lately. Since the 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace in February, Everton have drawn five games and lost one. They have taken points off Man United and Arsenal during this time, which has shown their resilience, although they were unlucky not to come away with anything in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool after putting in a top performance, despite the narrow 1-0 defeat.
Key Players To Watch
- Iliman Ndiaye: Ndiaye's direct approach to the game involves taking on defenders and advancing play, which disrupts opposition defences. His vision allows him to create scoring opportunities for his teammates with precise passes and clever through balls. Additionally, he excels at navigating tight spaces and maintaining close ball control, making him a constant threat in attack.
- Beto: Beto's playing style is straightforward and aggressive, often taking on defenders and making rapid surges towards the goal. His height and strength make him a significant threat in the air, both in attacking and defensive situations. Despite his size, he is comfortable with the ball at his feet and can make quick, decisive movements to create scoring opportunities.
- Abdoulaye Doucoure: Doucoure excels in winning the ball back and initiating counterattacks. He averages a high number of defensive duels per game with an impressive success rate. His ball-carrying ability allows him to escape markers, quickly moving from defence to attack, contributing to the team’s offensive momentum.
Everton Team News
Jesper Lindstrom is facing time out due to a groin injury. He is consulting a specialist as it could be a hernia, and his timeline for return is unknown.
Orel Mangala is out for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL. The midfielder returned to France for his surgery and will re-link with Lyon, ending his stay on loan with Everton.
Dwight McNeil is returning to the game-day squad list after missing months due to a knee injury and could begin getting eased into action.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is hoping to make a swift return after facing a lengthy period out on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
Predicted Line-Up
Nottingham: 3-4-1-2
M. Sels, F. Morato, N. Milenkovic, Murillo, N. Domínguez, R. Yates, E. Anderson, N. Williams, M. Gibbs-White, C. Hudson-Odoi, A. Elanga
Everton: 4-2-3-1
J. Pickford, J. O'Brien, J. Tarkowski, J. Branthwaite, N. Patterson, I. Gueye, J. Garner, J. Harrison, A. Doucoure, I. Ndiaye, Beto
Suggested Bets
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Both Teams To Score: Both teams have quality in attack and have both shown across the last three matches that they are able to find the back of the net. 103/100 (2.03) with Betway.
Period of First Goal (In 31st minute or after): Both coaches will want to come out and play on the front foot but will be cautious in the early stages of the match. This will allow both teams to find spaces and play between the lines as time goes on, which will present scoring opportunities. 11/10 (2.1) with 1xBet.
Over 2.5 Goals: Victory will be the priority of the day when these two teams meet each other, which will demand goals from both sides to get a winner. Get on at 127/100 (2.27) with BetWinner.
Value Bets
Markets like these are regularly featured across major online betting sites, where odds often shift with late team news and momentum.
First Half Both Teams To Score (Yes): Both teams will aggressively target any weaknesses or lapses in concentration during the first half, aiming to seize the lead by halftime. 22/5 (5.4) with 1Win.
Winning Margin (Nottingham by 1): Nottingham will use the energy from the fans to fuel their performance towards securing the victory, especially with a spot in the Champions League within reach. 27/10 (3.70) with Stake.
Halftime/Fulltime (Draw/Nottingham): It will be evenly matched in the first half, but Nottingham will have the advantage in the second period as they have players with more quality that can influence the game in ways that will see them control proceedings and dictate the tempo of the game. 19/5 (4.8) with Bettilt.
Prediction: Nottingham to Win
Nottingham have won the last two home games and will be determined to extend their unbeaten record in front of their home fans. Everton will put up a strong fight but has not been able to get over the line to secure any victories in the last three away fixtures.
Marc Strydom is a dedicated sports lover with a wealth of experience in the sports betting industry, mostly as a Chief Editor of a sports betting publication in South Africa. While Marc’s enthusiasm covers many sports, football and NBA are his favourites. His articles feature on multiple top-rated platforms, covering a wide range of topics.
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