Everton vs Nottingham Forest: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

After climbing to a dizzying third place on Boxing Day, Nottingham Forest close out 2024 away to Everton on Sunday afternoon.

Nuno Espirito Santo is working wonders at the City Ground and few victories would be sweeter in his managerial career than Forest’s 1-0 triumph over Tottenham on Boxing Day. Nuno, of course, endured a dismal tenure in charge of the Lilywhites, but rediscovered his modus operandi in Nottingham.

Buoyed by the league’s third-best defensive record and a four-pronged attack in transition, Forest have won their last four league games after being dumped out by Manchester City in early December.

However, Everton also found some of that. Sean Dyche’s side may be at their ceiling in 15th place, but their performances over the past month suggest a team that won’t be in danger of relegation this time around.

The Toffees head into this game having secured back-to-back draws against ArsenalChelsea and Man City.

Here 90 minutes guide for sunday Premier League clash at Goodison Park.

Everton vs Nottingham Forest H2H record (last five matches)

Current form (all competitions)

The Toffees began their recent impressive run of draws without one of their more reliable strikers in Dwight McNeil. The wide midfielder has been struggling with a knee problem and is again a question mark.

Iliman Ndiaye was stationed in goal in McNeil’s absence and scored a superb equalizer at the Etihad on Boxing Day.

Everton otherwise I don’t have many worries about injuries and I don’t have any new worries from Thursday’s game. Dyche is likely to be without James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam for Forest’s visit.

The boss could name an unchanged side on Sunday.

Predicted line-up of Everton against Nottingham Forest (4-4-1-1): Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Gueye, Mangala, Ndiaye; Doucoure; Calvert-Lewin.

Ryan Yates finally picked up five Premier League bookings, meaning he will serve a one-game ban and miss Sunday’s game. However, Forest can recall Nicolas Dominguez after he was suspended for their win over Tottenham. He will replace Yates in the middle of the park.

Neco Williams is preferred to Alex Moreno at left-back on Boxing Day and the Welshman could keep his place.

Jota Silva and Ramon Sosa will be hoping to return to the starting 11, but Anthony Elanga is in hot form and Callum Hudson-Odoi has been a model of consistency on the left.

Predicted line-up of Nottingham Forest against Everton (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood.

Something’s got 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 keen for the visitors to dominate territorially, allowing them to frustrate with their mid/low block. Arsenal, Chelsea and City have all huffed and puffed against the Toffees’ rigid defensive structure in recent weeks.

Forest can struggle if they are not given the space to run wild in transition, and Hudson-Odoi is best suited to break through locks in a compact defensive structure. Chris Wood’s ability in the air will also be key against Everton’s two centre-backs who defend their box very well.

The visitors have shown that they can shut down much more coherent attacking units than Everton this term, but we want the goals to come from both sides. Perhaps the lapses at the end of the year will contribute to the draw.

Prediction: Everton 1-1 Nottingham Forest

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