Nottingham Forest vs Fulham: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Nottingham Forest host Fulham in the Premier League in what will be a crucial game in their bid to avoid relegation back to the Championship.

Date: 02/04/24

Kick-off time: 19:30

Venue: City Ground

Following a four point deduction, Forest sit just outside the relegation zone, above Luton on goal difference following their point at home to Crystal Palace. Defeat against Fulham could send them straight back to the bottom three, but victory may allow them to create a bit of a cushion and give them some much-needed optimism heading into the final stretch.

Fulham, in contrast, are comfortably in mid-table, and are hoping to climb into the top half of the league. They sit in 12th, just two points back from Wolves in 10th, though they have played one more game. A dramatic fight back against bottom side Sheffield United meant they did not fall too far behind despite the dropped points.

At home, Forest have won just four games, and once in the last five. The Cottagers do not have a good away record, winning just twice, though the last of which came against Man United in late February. They’ve conceded 32 goals on the road, which is only better than Luton. If Forest are to threaten this inconsistent defence, they will look to Chris Wood who has scored 10 goals so far. Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz will be confident in adding to his eight goals against a defence who has kept only one clean sheet since early November.

These two sides have met three times since both of their promotions to the top flight in 2022. Fulham have dominated the matchup with three consecutive wins, scoring 10 and conceding two. They also won five of the previous seven fixtures before that. The reverse fixture earlier this season finished 5-0 to Fulham in a dominant victory. Raul Jimenez and Alex Iwobi both scored a brace before Tom Cairney added a fifth.

Nottingham Forest

Striker Taiwo Awoniyi has a serious injury that could keep him out for some weeks. Ola Aina, Willy Boly and Nuno Tavares remain out but Forest have no new injury concerns otherwise.

Fulham

Fulham have no injury concerns coming into this one and should have a fully fit squad to choose from.

Nottingham Forest

In the last five games, Nottingham Forest have lost three and drawn two. They have endured plenty of losses, though the three in this run have all been heartbreakers. The stretch began with FA Cup elimination in the Fifth Round, as they narrowly lost 1-0 to Manchester United. They had managed to hold United for the majority of the game, and looked to have been heading for extra-time. However, they could not make it as Casemiro converted from close range to win the tie for the visitors in the 89th minute.

Another late defeat followed, this time against Liverpool in the league. It was an even later loss as Darwin Nunez found the back of the net in the 99th minute to crush the home fans. They had done a good job of keeping it level for so long despite being dominated in possession, but could not see the job through.

A third 1-0 loss in a row came against Brighton. It was not a late defeat, but one which will have disappointed nonetheless. The only goal of the game came in the 29th minute as Andrew Omobamidele put the ball into his own net. Their one draw occurred in the following game away at Luton, in what was a massive clash at the bottom of the table. Again, they suffered from late frustration, conceding another 89th minute goal, as Luke Berry levelled the score. Chris Wood had given Forest the lead in the first half.

Their most recent game was against Crystal Palace, as they welcomed the Londoners to the City Ground. The search for a win continues after they drew 1-1. The visitors took the lead early on through Jean-Philippe Mateta but Wood equalised in the second half.

Fulham

In their last five games, Fulham have won three, drawn one and lost one. Their recent good form has kept them within touching distance of the top half. It started with an impressive victory at Old Trafford as they defeated Man United 2-1. Calvin Bassey gave the Cottagers the lead in the 65th minute, but United thought they had salvaged a point after Harry Maguire equalised in the 89th. However, Fulham hit them on the break and in the 97th minute retook the lead through Alex Iwobi.

They followed this with another win, a much more comfortable 3-0 against Brighton. Goals from Harry Wilson and Rodrigo Muniz gave them a commanding 2-0 lead at the break. Despite the visitors dominating possession, they could not get on the scoresheet, and the rout was complete in stoppage time as Adama Traore tacked on another goal. Their only defeat of this stretch came at Wolves, who won 2-1. A Rayan Ait-Nouri strike and a Tom Cairney own goal put the hosts ahead, before an Iwobi consolation came deep into stoppage time.

Before the international break, Fulham took on Tottenham in what was one of their wins of the season as they won 3-0. It was an even game, but Muniz broke the deadlock just before the break. They made the perfect start to the second half as Sasa Lukic doubled the lead, before Muniz completed a brace soon after. They dropped points in their most recent game, as they visited bottom side Sheffield United. They were lucky to leave with a point as they fought back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3, which included a stunning 93rd minute leveller from Muniz.

Home advantage could play a big part in this game, as Forest are in desperate need of a win following their points deduction. Fulham have enjoyed plenty of success in this matchup, and we expect them to remain unbeaten but drop points in a draw – Nottingham Forest 1-1 Fulham

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Nottingham Forest vs Fulham will be available to watch on TNT Sports 3.

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