Will the Reds stay on top?

The professionals of those English teams that are represented internationally definitely can’t complain about a too low load in these weeks. This weekend marks the end of the first of three consecutive English weeks for these clubs, leading up to the next international break. Liverpool Football Club is also challenged in three competitions in this period.

As the current fourth-placed team in the table, the Reds are right on target and are just three points behind leaders Tottenham before the start of Matchday 10 in the Premier League. On Sunday, Jürgen Klopp’s charges will have to solve the next mandatory task. The guests at Anfield Road will be a team that has not won in the league for almost two months. As a result, it’s no surprise that the odds on a home win between Liverpool and Nottingham are significantly lower.

However, it should give you pause for thought that the Reds already had an extremely hard time at home against Forest last season, only narrowly winning 3-2. At the moment, however, the 2019 Champions League winners look very stable. With the new consistency and the regained quality of being able to control games from a dominant position, the bookmakers’ prediction between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest clearly goes in the direction of the home team.

Liverpool – statistics & current form

With the third win in the third game, Liverpool Football Club set the course for group victory in the international business on Thursday evening. Thanks to the home triumph over Toulouse, everything now points to the hottest title contender in the Europa League skipping the intermediate round and moving straight into the round of 16. Although the second legs are still to be played, no one doubts the Reds’ supremacy in Group E.

At the league level, those responsible for coach Jürgen Klopp can also be quite satisfied with their performance so far. In the first nine match days, the Reds have only suffered one defeat, a 2-1 loss to league leaders Tottenham. Six of the other eight games were won, and the goal difference of 20:9 is also very pleasing. Defensively in particular, LFC have stepped up a gear or two compared to the previous season.

Mo Salah following in the footsteps of Steven Gerrard

This was also evident last weekend when they put in a very focused performance against Everton in the Merseyside derby, standing very solid at the back and showing the necessary patience up front. Against the Toffees, who had been playing shorthanded since minute 73, it finally took difference-maker Mo Salah once again to score both goals.

Looking back at the past 13 Premier League games in front of a home crowd, Salah has now been involved in 17 (!) goals. In all of these 13 matches at Anfield, the winger has been involved in at least one goal. 14 goals in the said period underline his immense value for the Reds, which could come into play again on Sunday. Those who want to make a prediction on a Salah goal between Liverpool and Nottingham can dust off a 1.90 for it at Bet365. By the way, the new provider Oddset also has goal scorer bets on offer and also entices with the Oddset bonus for new customers. Historically, by the way, only a certain Steven Gerrard has collected more scorer points (120) than the Egyptian (116) in the LFC soccer temple.

Finally, it should be pointed out that Liverpool have lost only one of the past 46 PL home games (35 wins, ten draws), have now been unbeaten in their own stadium for 16 league matches and have won all four games at Anfield Road this season. By the way, a win bet with a maximum of four goals in the course of the game would have always gone through, so that a corresponding combination for the coming weekend also plays a role in our considerations.

Predicted Liverpool lineup:

Nottingham – statistics & current form

Nottingham Forest Football Club is an absolute top team! At least when it comes to sharing the points with their respective opponents. Four draws have already been recorded after nine matchdays – no other team has played more draws than the Garibaldi Reds, who have also only suffered three defeats. However, the ten points they have earned are not enough to secure more than 15th place.

This is primarily due to the fact that the team has only managed two wins so far. The last full success dates back to the beginning of September, when they won 1-0 at Chelsea FC in London. Since then, the Tricky Trees have lost five games in a row (four draws, one defeat) and would have expected more, especially in the home games against the promoted Burnley (1-1) and the previous week against Luton Town (2-2).

Nottingham’s attack lacks penetration

Coach Steve Cooper’s side don’t really seem to be able to handle leads in particular. Since the start of last season, 32 points have been squandered after taking the lead, which is the absolute maximum in the English top flight. In the current season, Forest were even 2-0 up against Manchester United and Luton, and only recorded a single point.

For the coming weekend, however, we are skeptical whether Forest can again gain an advantage. Especially considering the fact that the offense has been too harmless in many cases so far.

Ten goals scored is just as below-average a figure as the four goals scored in five away games. The 15th-placed team has only scored twice in one of its last six league games. Because the bottom line is that we wouldn’t even be surprised if the relegation candidate from the East Midlands comes up completely empty in terms of goals on Sunday, the odds for a home win including a clean sheet can also be considered between Liverpool and Nottingham.

Predicted Nottingham lineup:

Liverpool – Nottingham Direct comparison / H2H balance

In their past 24 league home games, Liverpool have gone without defeat against Nottingham. 19 wins and five draws underpin the dominance in front of the home crowd that the Reds have been able to build against Forest over the last years and decades.

A look at the history is not really relevant, however, as there have only been two Premier League duels in the entire millennium, both of which went to the home team in pre-season. LFC won 3-2 at home, as mentioned, while Nottingham prevailed 1-0 at home in the first leg.

Liverpool – Nottingham Tip

All statistics nerds should now hold on tight! Never has Liverpool Football Club lost a home match in the Premier League against an opponent whose name began with “N”. Consequently, it is virtually impossible that Nottingham Forest will take all three points from Anfield on Sunday afternoon. Joking aside, however, in terms of content we actually believe that the Klopp eleven will come out on top.

Firstly, because the Reds are now unbeaten in their own stadium for 16 PL games and have not lost any of the last 24 league home games against their upcoming opponents. Secondly, because of the different form curves. LFC, in fourth place, is in immediate touch with the top, while the Garibaldi Reds, after five games in a row without a win, have to bake rather small rolls. Nevertheless, there is obviously no value between Liverpool and Nottingham in the betting odds on the three-way market.

It therefore needs an alternative betting option as an add-on that pushes the overall odds up. This is where the sub 4.5 comes into play. All of LFC’s PL home wins this season have seen a maximum of four goals. On top of that, the Tricky Trees have only scored ten goals in total, four of them in five away games. At the same time, the Cooper team has a solid defense that could make life difficult for Mo Salah and Co. at least at times.

Our Liverpool vs. Nottingham tip therefore aims for the home side to leave the pitch as winners, but for a maximum of four goals to be scored in the 90 minutes. For a home win with under 4.5 goals, we can offer attractive odds of 1.80. Seven units we choose as a stake and still refer to our detailed preview for the Manchester derby later Sunday afternoon.