Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool: Top-of-the-Table Clash Set to Electrify Premier League Fans
The Premier League’s spotlight will shine brightly on The City Ground this Tuesday evening as high-flying Nottingham Forest host league leaders Liverpool in a fascinating 8 pm GMT clash. What was once considered an improbable matchup now stands as a pivotal contest in the race for Premier League supremacy.
Key Storylines Heading into the Match
Nottingham Forest, under the stewardship of Nuno Espírito Santo, have defied expectations this season. Sitting third in the table and level on points with Arsenal, Forest have pieced together a remarkable campaign that includes a six-game winning streak across all competitions. The Midlands club has already surpassed the 40-point mark, an impressive feat with 18 matches still to play.
Liverpool, led by Arne Slot, have seamlessly transitioned from the Jurgen Klopp era and are setting the pace in the title race. The Reds boast a six-point lead over Arsenal with a game in hand and remain unbeaten in nine away fixtures this season. However, their only league loss thus far came against none other than Nottingham Forest at Anfield in September.
Kickoff and Viewing Details
- Location: The City Ground, Nottingham, England
- Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2025
- Time: 8:00 PM GMT / 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT
- Referee: Chris Kavanagh
- VAR: John Brooks
- Broadcast:
- UK: Discovery+, TNT Sports 1
- US: USA Network, UNIVERSO
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
Recent Form
Nottingham Forest (Last 5 Matches)
- Nottingham Forest 2-0 Luton (11 Jan)
- Wolves 0-3 Nottingham Forest (6 Jan)
- Everton 0-2 Nottingham Forest (29 Dec)
- Nottingham Forest 1-0 Tottenham (26 Dec)
- Brentford 0-2 Nottingham Forest (21 Dec)
Liverpool (Last 5 Matches)
- Liverpool 4-0 Accrington (11 Jan)
- Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool (8 Jan)
- Liverpool 2-2 Manchester United (5 Jan)
- West Ham 0-5 Liverpool (29 Dec)
- Liverpool 3-1 Leicester (26 Dec)
Nottingham Forest Team News
Forest enter the game with a relatively fit squad. Long-term absentees Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare remain sidelined with ankle and hamstring injuries, respectively. Otherwise, Nuno Espírito Santo can field a full-strength lineup.
Chris Wood, Forest’s top scorer with 12 league goals, is expected to spearhead the attack. He will be supported by the dynamic duo of Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi on the wings. Morgan Gibbs-White, a creative force in midfield, will be crucial in breaking down the reds defense.
Predicted Forest Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
Liverpool Team News
Liverpool will be without Darwin Núñez, who is serving a one-match suspension after accumulating five yellow cards. Joe Gomez is the only confirmed injury absentee for Arne Slot, giving Liverpool the luxury of deploying a near-full-strength side.
Luis Diaz may retain his role as the central striker, with Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah forming a formidable front three. Diogo Jota, recently recovered from injury, is likely to feature off the bench.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Diaz
Head-to-Head Record
The last meeting between these two sides ended in a shock 1-0 victory for Nottingham Forest at Anfield in September. Callum Hudson-Odoi scored the decisive goal, handing Liverpool their only league defeat of the season.
- Nottingham Forest: 2 wins
- Liverpool: 3 wins
- Draws: 0
Match Preview and Tactical Analysis
The City Ground is set to host a game charged with excitement and intensity. Nottingham Forest’s home record speaks to their resilience, with just 18 goals scored across nine matches. Their compact defensive setup, led by the pairing of Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo, has been key to their success, alongside the energetic midfield contributions of Dominguez and Anderson.
Liverpool’s only Premier League defeat so far this season was against @NFFC!
#NFOLIV, 20:00 GMT pic.twitter.com/8RQQOL9P2W
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 14, 2025
Liverpool, on the other hand, bring a lethal attacking arsenal. Mohamed Salah’s creativity and finishing, paired with Szoboszlai’s playmaking and Diaz’s directness, will test Forest’s defensive discipline. The midfield duo of Gravenberch and Mac Allister provides balance, while Van Dijk and Konate anchor a solid backline.
Score Prediction
The atmosphere at The City Ground will undoubtedly inspire Nottingham Forest, and their form suggests they won’t back down against the league leaders. However, the reds consistency on the road and attacking depth make them slight favorites. Expect a closely fought battle.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Liverpool
READ NEXT:
