After climbing to the dizzying heights of third place on Boxing Day, Nottingham Forest wrap up 2024 away to Everton on Sunday afternoon.
Nuno Espirito Santo is working wonders at the City Ground, and there could have been few better victories in his managerial career than Forest's 1-0 victory over Tottenham on Boxing Day. Nuno, of course, endured a bleak spell in charge of the Lilywhites, but he rediscovered his magic at Nottingham.
Thanks to the third-best defensive record in the league and a four-pronged attack, Forest have won their last four league games after being defeated by Manchester City at the start of December.
However, Everton have also found some kind of groove. Sean Dyche's side may be in 15th place, but their performance over the past month suggests a team that will not be in relegation danger this time around.
The Toffees go into this match having recorded back-to-back draws against them ArsenalAnd Chelsea and Man City.
here 90 minutes Guide for Sunday Premier League The confrontation is at Goodison Park.
Everton and Nottingham Forest match record (last five matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Everton |
Nottingham Forest |
|---|---|
|
Man City 1-1 Everton – 12/26/24 |
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Tottenham – 12/26/24 |
|
Everton 0-0 Chelsea – 12/22/24 |
Brentford 0-2 Nottingham Forest – 12/21/24 |
|
Arsenal 0-0 Everton – 12/14/24 |
Nottingham Forest 2-1 Aston Villa – 12/14/24 |
|
Everton 4-0 Wolverhampton – 12/04/24 |
Manchester United 2-3 Nottingham Forest – 12/07/24 |
|
Manchester United 4-0 Everton – 12/01/24 |
Man City 3-0 Nottingham Forest – 12/04/24 |
|
nation |
TV Channel/Live Broadcast |
|---|---|
|
UK |
Not televised (BBC 5 Live – Radio) |
|
US |
fuboTV, nbcsports.com, NBC Sports app, USA Network |
|
Canada |
fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network 2 Canada |
The Toffees have started their recent impressive run of draws without one of their most reliable strikers in Dwight McNeil. The wide midfielder has a knee problem and is once again doubtful to feature.
Elimane Ndiaye was positioned out wide in McNeil's absence and scored a stunning equalizer at the Etihad Stadium on Boxing Day.
Everton Otherwise, there is no need to worry about injury and no new concerns for Thursday's game. Daichi is likely to be without James Garner and Tim Erugbunam for the visit to Forest.
The coach can name the side that remained unchanged on Sunday.
Everton's expected lineup against Nottingham Forest (4-4-1-1):Beckford; Coleman, Tarkovsky, Branthwaite, Mikulenko; Harrison, Jay, Mangala, Ndiaye; Ducouri. Calvert-Lewin.
Ryan Yates has finally picked up five bookings in the Premier League, meaning he will be hit with a one-match ban and miss Sunday's game. However, Forest could call up Nicolas Dominguez again after he was suspended for the win over Tottenham. He will replace Yates in the middle of the park.
Neco Williams was preferred over Alex Moreno at left-back on Boxing Day, and the Welshman could keep his place.
Both Jota Silva and Ramon Sosa will be hoping to secure a return to the starting line-up, but Anthony Elanga is in fine form and Callum Hudson-Odoi has been a model of consistency down the left flank.
Nottingham Forest's expected lineup against Everton (4-2-3-1):cells; Aina, Milinkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Anderson. Ilanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; wood.
Something has to give on Sunday. Both teams usually want to play without the ball, but someone has to take the initiative. Despite being at home, Everton will be willing for the visitors to dominate the area, allowing them to frustrate with their mid/low block. Arsenal, Chelsea and City have chafed against the Toffees' rigid defensive structure in recent weeks.
Forest may struggle if they are not given the space to run in transition, with Hudson-Odoi best suited to pick locks in a compact defensive structure. Chris Wood's aerial ability will also be key against Everton's centre-back duo who defend their penalty area extremely well.
The visitors have shown they can hold off more compact attacking units than Everton this season, but we want goals at both ends. Perhaps the year-end lapses will contribute to the low-scoring draw.
