- Fixture: Nottingham Forest vs. Everton
- Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
- Venue: The City Ground, Nottingham, England
Match Preview
Nottingham Forest welcome Everton to The City Ground for a Premier League clash on Saturday, April 12, 2025. This fixture pits two teams with contrasting seasons against each other, as Forest aim to solidify their position in the top three and push closer to UEFA Champions League qualification, while Everton fight to maintain mid-table stability.
Forest come into this game on the back of an impressive 1-0 victory over Manchester United on April 1, with Anthony Elanga scoring the decisive goal against his former club. This result marked their fourth win in five games, showcasing their ability to grind out results even against tough opponents. Despite a narrow 2-1 loss to Aston Villa in late March, Forest’s form remains strong, especially at home, where they are unbeaten in their last 11 matches across all competitions.
Everton, meanwhile, have struggled for consistency. They earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Arsenal on April 5, demonstrating resilience after falling behind early. However, this result extended their winless streak to six matches in the Premier League. Their previous away outing was a disappointing 1-0 loss to Liverpool in the Merseyside derby on April 2, where they failed to create significant scoring opportunities. While Everton have been difficult to beat under David Moyes—drawing five of their last six games—they have only managed three wins in their last 27 away matches across all competitions.
In terms of team news, Nottingham Forest will likely be without Taiwo Awoniyi and Ola Aina due to injuries. Chris Wood remains doubtful but could feature if he passes a late fitness test. Everton face similar challenges with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jesper Lindstrom sidelined, while Vitalii Mykolenko is questionable for this match. These absences may impact both teams’ attacking options and tactical setups.
Key Players
Nottingham Forest:
- Morgan Gibbs-White: The creative midfielder has been pivotal in Forest’s attacking play and pressing game.
- Anthony Elanga: Fresh off his match-winning goal against Manchester United, Elanga’s pace and directness will be key.
- Sergej Milenković: A commanding presence in defense who has contributed significantly to Forest’s clean sheet record at home.
Everton:
- Jordan Pickford: The England goalkeeper remains a reliable last line of defense for Everton.
- Iliman Ndiaye: Returning from injury, Ndiaye has shown glimpses of brilliance and will be crucial for Everton’s attack.
- Abdoulaye Doucouré: A box-to-box midfielder who can impact both ends of the pitch.
Prediction
Nottingham Forest’s exceptional home record and Everton’s struggles away from Goodison Park make the hosts favorites for this encounter. Forest’s ability to keep clean sheets at home—four consecutive in the Premier League—will be crucial against an Everton side that averages just 0.73 goals per game away from home. While Everton’s defensive resilience under Moyes might keep the scoreline close, Forest’s attacking quality should prove decisive.
Predicted Score: Nottingham Forest 2–0 Everton
Betting Markets
| Market | Odds | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Nottingham Forest to Win | 2/1 | Bet Now |
| Draw | 7/2 | Bet Now |
| Everton to Win | 4/1 | Bet Now |
| Over 2.5 Goals | 23/10 | Bet Now |
| Under 2.5 Goals | 8/13 | Bet Now |
| Both Teams to Score (No) | 10/11 | Bet Now |
With Nottingham Forest’s strong home form and Everton’s low-scoring tendencies on the road, betting on a home win or under 2.5 goals appears particularly promising.
