Football
Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
Venue: Vitality Stadium Kickoff Time: 15:00 (UK Time) The Cherries welcome a high-flying Nottingham Forest to the Vitality on Saturday, 25th January. These two sides come into the game with incredible confidence and judging the betting odds advertised by football betting sportsbooks – this has all the makings of an incredible encounter!
Chris Wood and Anthony Elanga//Getty Images
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability – This One is Evenly Poised
Home: 11/10 (2.1) – 37%
Draw: 13/5 (3.6) – 28%
Away:43/20 (3.15) – 35%
Head-To-Head Record
Last five meetings (Premier League)
17/08/2024: Nottingham Forest 1–1 Bournemouth
04/02/2024: Bournemouth 1–1 Nottingham Forest
23/12/2023: Nottingham Forest 2–3 Bournemouth
21/01/2023: Bournemouth 1–1 Nottingham Forest
03/09/2022: Nottingham Forest 2–3 Bournemouth
Bournemouth Form – DDWWD
The Cherries have had an incredible start to 2025. They have put together incredible runs of form and gone to the so-called big stadiums and come away largely unscathed. Their form is also really impressive, and in truth, we might not have always given them enough credit in our past Bournemouth predictions.
Their ability to create chances and score goals have seen them compete toward the top-end of the league table. Yes, Evanilson and Enes Unal are still unlikely to feature here, which no doubt affects their dominance in the final third, but we don’t expect the approach to change much.
Key Players to Watch
- Antoine Semenyo: Semenyo is a player who often crops up when we discuss the key players at Bournemouth, but for good reason. He has been incredibly valuable in advancing positions and continues to have a say in Bournemouth’s attacking data. The hosts will be hopeful he puts in another big performance here.
- Justin Kluivert: He is having the season of his life! Two hat-tricks now for the Cherries, his goal scoring threat cannot be ignored or taken for granted any longer. He has this sort of elusive movement, coupled with a strength on the ball, he is both a finisher and a link option for this Bournemouth side.
- Lewis Cook: Lewis Cook is another player in the league who often drifts under the radar. He is a strong defensive player who has shown little fear when being asked to quash opponents attacking threats.
Interestingly though, his aggressive nature doesn’t often see his name in the referee’s book!
Bournemouth Team News
Marcus Tavernier (hamstring injury), Luis Sinisterra (knock), Julian Araujo (hamstring injury), James Hill (hamstring injury), Evanilson (broken foot), Enes Unal (cruciate ligament injury), Alex Scott (meniscus injury), Adam Smith (muscle injury), Marcos Senesi (thigh injury) are all out for Bournemouth.
Nottingham Forest Current Form – WWWDW
In the interest of maintaining our early Nottingham Forest prediction, this is a Forest side more than capable of qualifying for the Champions League if they stay in this kind of form. The only concern we can have with them is that they concede a lot of space on the pitch, and with that comes the fact that they face a host of attacking shots.
Nevertheless, they are playing incredible football at the moment. Chris Wood keeps scoring and until that changes, it is difficult to bet against them!
Key Players to Watch
- Anthony Elanga: Elanga seems to be reaching (once again) the heights that many expected of him while at Manchester United. If memory recalls, Ralph Ragnick was a massive believer in his ability, touting him to become the next big thing at Old Trafford…well, Forest will be all too happy to reap those rewards though.
- Callum Hudson-Odoi: Hudson-Odoi is another player who looks to be enjoying a new lease on life at Forest. He always threatened to be something special at Chelsea but is another player who flattered to deceive. The freedom with which Forest attack seems to suit him and he has taken full advantage!
- Chris Wood: They said it was a purple patch, then it was a good run of form, now finally the league is appreciating Chris Wood for who and what he is – a good player! His playing profile for an out and out nine is sublime. He is powerful, quick and holds a thunderbolt of a shot…what is there not to love?
Nottingham Forest Team News
Ibrahim Sangare (thigh injury) is a doubt for this encounter against Bournemouth.
Predicted Line-Up
Bournemouth: 4-2-3-1
Arrizabalaga, Kerkez, Huijsen, Zabarnyi, Cook, Adams, Christie, Semenyo, Kluivert, Brooks, Quattara.
Nottingham Forest: 4-2-3-1
Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams, Yates, Anderson, Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Wood.
Suggested Bets
Follow our Premier League betting strategies and predictions to land that pot of gold this weekend!
Both Teams to Score (Yes): The attacking threat available to both of these teams is incredible. They have outdone themselves at times this season and we think backing them both to score would be the play here. 3/4 (1.75) with Betway, 1xBet and Pinnacle.
Over 2.5 Goals: Another betting angle to take full advantage of the attacking threats of these teams is backing the Over 2.5 Goals market. Get on with 1xBet and Pinnacle.
Both Teams to Score + Over 2.5 Goals: Combine the two betting angles for maximum value. Both Teams to Score and Over 2.5 Goals is available at 21/20 with Betway.
Value Bets
Justin Kluivert (Anytime Goalscorer): As the old adage goes, strike while the iron is hot! He is certainly hot, so strike dear people, strike! 18/10 with 1XBet
Draw: We really can’t split these two teams; they are essentially evenly poised in every situation. They both boast incredible attacking threats but also have defensive deficits…the perfect combination for the neutral punter looking for a promising punt. Get on at 13/5 (3.6) with Betway.
Chris Wood (Anytime Goalscorer): Wood has also been a player consistent for his side. He just can’t seem to stop scoring! We are once again backing him to find the back of the net and wouldn’t dissuade you from putting together a same-match builder with all three value bets! Back Wood at 19/10 with 1xBet.
Prediction: Both Teams to Score
Yes, we are sitting on the proverbial fence here, but Both Teams to Score is the banker bet for the weekend! So, at the risk of becoming repetitive, back the fact that the attacking outputs of these two teams have seen them climb the league table like no other season.
Ryan Liberty is an experienced sports writer whose articles have featured in some of the biggest sports publications in South Africa. With a strong understanding of all major sports and an in-depth understanding of betting, Ryan consistently delivers insightful content. He's also known for his ability to break down complex topics into engaging, reader-friendly pieces.
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