Bournemouth vs Nottingham prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2024-02-03 14:00.
[p]Back in mid-October, few would have expected that manager Andoni Iraola would make it to Christmas still in charge of Bournemouth after a painful 2-1 defeat to Wolves – led by former boss Gary O’Neil – left the Cherries deep inside the relegation zone. But Thursday’s battling 1-1 draw at West Ham extended their record since that autumn clash to just three defeats in 12 top-flight fixtures (W7, D2), helping them comfortably climb into mid-table. [/p]
[p]Such remarkable form means Iraola is now the toast of the south coast, instead of a target for the boo boys, and their fans are now dreaming of a top-half finish in the Premier League for only the second time. Even a run of three games without a victory (D1, L2), albeit with losses to top-four contenders Liverpool and Tottenham, hasn’t dampened spirits, especially as Bournemouth have won three of their last five matches at home (D1, L1). [/p]
[p]They ought to be confident of racking up another victory against opponents Nottingham Forest, who have been beaten in five of the last seven H2Hs (D2), including a 3-2 defeat in December. That will worry visiting supporters, who are seeing their side dragged back into the relegation dogfight after back-to-back losses, most recently a 2-1 defeat against Arsenal on Tuesday.[/p]
[p]Those results show the honeymoon period is well and truly over for new manager Nuno EspĂrito Santo, who has won two of his first three league games in the dugout (L1). The return of Taiwo Awoniyi, who scored against the Gunners in his first game since injuring his groin in November, is a positive for the manager. However, it is the other end of the field where the Tricky Trees are struggling most, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last 11 top-flight outings. That’s a problem they’ve tried to address by signing goalkeeper Matz Sels from Strasbourg on deadline day. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke has scored more Premier League goals against Forest than any other opponent – four in just two games (W2). Attempting to out-gun him may be Awoniyi, who has seen 13 of his 16 strikes for Forest serve as the first or last of the game.[/p]
[p]Hot streak: Forest’s last five Premier League games have all produced 3+ goals and seen both teams score.[/p]