Nottingham Forest welcome Everton to the City Ground in a Tuesday clash that pits attacking ambition against defensive resilience.
The hosts are looking to snap a poor run of form, while Everton arrive with a dominant head-to-head record and one of the league’s meanest defences. Kick-off is set for 7:30 PM, promising a critical battle for points as Forest hover just above the drop zone and Everton aim to push into the top half.
Best Bets & Predictions
Based on the defensive solidity of Everton and Forest’s struggles to convert chances, here are our top betting recommendations for this match. We’re particularly confident in backing the draw, given Everton’s recent dominance in this fixture and both teams’ underwhelming attacking output.
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Draw | 9/4 @ Bet365 (30.8%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | A draw seems a likely outcome at the City Ground, with both Nottingham Forest and Everton struggling for consistency. Forest, sitting 17th, have drawn three of their 18 league games this season. Similarly, 12th-placed Everton have drawn four times. Both teams have identical scoring records, with just 18 goals each. Historically, this fixture has been tight, with three of the last eight meetings ending in a draw. Given both sides’ recent form, another stalemate could be on the cards. |
| Under 2.5 Goals | 8/13 @ Betfair (61.9%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | A low-scoring affair appears likely at the City Ground, with both Nottingham Forest and Everton struggling to find the net. Forest have scored just 18 goals in 18 league matches, a record mirrored exactly by the Toffees. Everton’s games have seen under 2.5 goals in 67% of their matches this season, and they have failed to score in their last three games. With both sides showing a distinct lack of firepower, a tight contest with few goals is anticipated. |
Odds correct at the time of writing.
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Nottingham Forest vs Everton match odds
How both teams head into Nottingham Forest vs Everton
Nottingham Forest’s 2025/26 season has been a turbulent one, leaving them in 17th place in the Premier League. The club has accumulated 18 points from 17 matches, with five wins, three draws, and nine losses. Their season has been marked by managerial instability, with Sean Dyche taking over in October after the dismissals of Nuno Espírito Santo and Ange Postecoglou.
Forest have struggled for goals, scoring just 18 times in the league, with Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi as their joint-top league scorers with three goals each. Defensively, they have conceded 26 goals. Their recent form has been inconsistent, with two wins and three losses in their last five league matches, including a recent 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City. The team also competed in the UEFA Europa League this season.
Everton’s 2025/26 season has been a story of mid-table stability under the management of David Moyes. The Toffees sit 12th in the Premier League table with 25 points from 18 games, following a record of seven wins, four draws, and seven losses. This season marks their first at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Their attack has been modest, scoring 18 goals, while the defence has conceded 20. Recent form has been inconsistent, with a goalless draw at Burnley in their last outing. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye are the joint-top league scorers for the club, with four goals each. While not spectacular, Everton’s season has been solid, keeping them clear of the relegation scrap that has troubled them in recent years and providing a steady platform in their new home.
Nottingham Forest team news
Nottingham Forest have several players unavailable for their trip to face Everton at the City Ground. Manager Sean Dyche will be without defender Willy Boly and midfielder Ibrahim Sangaré, who are both on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations. Additionally, forward Taiwo Awoniyi remains a long-term absentee with a groin injury. There are no new injury concerns or suspensions reported for the rest of the squad ahead of the crucial Premier League clash.
Everton team news
Everton will be without key midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré for their trip to the City Ground, as he is away with Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations. Manager David Moyes also has a significant injury concern over striker Beto, who is a major doubt with a hamstring problem. On a more positive note, there are no new injury worries or suspensions for the Toffees, giving Moyes an otherwise full squad to choose from for the important Premier League fixture.
Season Form & Standings
Everton have been the more consistent side, sitting 12th with a 39% win rate and a solid defensive record. Forest, meanwhile, have struggled for results and find themselves 17th, with the league’s second-worst goal difference and only five wins from 18 matches.
| Team | Pos | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everton | 11 | 18 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 20 | 22 | -2 | 25 |
| Nottingham Forest | 17 | 18 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 18 | 28 | -10 | 18 |
Head-to-Head: Last 7 Meetings
Everton have dominated this fixture in recent years, winning four of the last seven meetings, with Forest managing just one victory and two draws.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 06/12/25 | Everton 3-0 Nottingham Forest | Premier League |
| 12/04/25 | Nottingham Forest 0-1 Everton | Premier League |
| 29/12/24 | Everton 0-2 Nottingham Forest | Premier League |
| 21/04/24 | Everton 2-0 Nottingham Forest | Premier League |
| 02/12/23 | Nottingham Forest 0-1 Everton | Premier League |
| 05/03/23 | Nottingham Forest 2-2 Everton | Premier League |
| 20/08/22 | Everton 1-1 Nottingham Forest | Premier League |
Conclusion
Will Everton’s defensive steel decide the outcome, or can Forest finally click in attack and turn possession into points? With both sides often lacking individual attacking stars and recent history leaning heavily towards Everton, the smart money could be on a cagey affair. Our top pick remains the draw at 9/4 with Bet365 (30.8%), but there’s value in under 2.5 goals and an Everton win if Forest’s profligacy continues.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
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