Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Nottingham Forest have finished strongly this season as they now welcome a still top five chasing AFC Bournemouth side to the City Ground on the final day.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Peacock
Nottingham Forest preview: Steady end
Nottingham Forest have eased themselves comfortably clear of the bottom three and the relegation places, which is a reasonable campaign alongside reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League.
They do have very little to play for here, though, with 15th or 16th the only places they can finish. Vitor Pereira’s side were beaten 3-2 by Manchester United in their most recent outing at Old Trafford last weekend.
Bournemouth preview: Top five chasers
Andoni Iraola and his AFC Bournemouth side begin the final day sitting three points behind Liverpool and in need of a six-goal swing to squeeze into the top five but, if Liverpool moved above Villa then sixth itself would be enough for UEFA Champions League football.
Iraola’s Cherries have been brilliant in the second-half of this season with their 1-1 draw against Manchester City in midweek, a game that ended the title race in favour of Arsenal despite Erling Haaland’s late equaliser, meaning that they are now unbeaten in their last 17 matches.
Nottingham Forest team news: Ndoye could be back
Vitor Pereira has confirmed that Ola Aina is back on he grass as of Thursday but won’t be involved, while Dan Ndoye has ‘worked twice with the team’ and so he could be involved.
Centre-back Murillo remains a confirmed absentee alongside fellow defenders Willy Boly and Nicolo Savona, as well as winger Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Sels; Abbott, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Hutchinson, Anderson, Dominguez, McAtee; Jesus, Awoniyi
Unavailable: John (Injured), Boly (Injured), Murillo (Injured), Aina (Fitness), Savona (Injured), Hudson-Odoi (Injured)
Questionable: Ndoye (Fitness)
Bournemouth team news: Nothing fresh
In his pre-match press conference, Andoni Iraola has confirmed that there are no other injury issues and everyone available in midweek will be available for this one, too.
Alex Jimenez is, presumably, still suspended by the club, while Ryan Christie is serving the second of his three-match suspension after a red card against Fulham earlier this month.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Smith, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Scott, Adams; Rayan, Kroupi, Tavernier; Evanilson
Unavailable: Jimenez (Disciplinary), Soler (Injured), Christie (Suspended)
Questionable:
Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth prediction
Unbeaten in 17, Bournemouth are finishing the Iraola era with a bang and they have already wrapped European qualification. They are in a bizarre spot where UEFA Champions League football is in their grasp but the most realistic scenario for them is for Liverpool to leapfrog Villa, rather than lose to Brentford and Bournemouth beat Forest with a six-goal swing. A Brighton win against United does mean they would go above the Cherries if Bournemouth lose and so continuing that unbeaten run remains imperative for the visitors.
Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth tip: Double chance – Bournemouth to win or draw
