Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth: Preview and Prediction
Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth will aim to kick-start their Premier League campaigns with a bang when they clash at City Ground on Saturday.
The 2024/25 Premier League season will kick off on Friday with the game between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford, as the long and arduous campaign finally begins. Saturday will be an action-packed day, with Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth being an eye-catching fixture between two potential relegation candidates that will look to finish in the mid-table places.
Nottingham Forest endured an adventurous 2023/24 Premier League campaign, with a points deduction leaving them in the relegation dogfight longer than they would have liked. The Tricky Trees have enjoyed a solid pre-season campaign, with the squad absorbing Nuno Espirito Santo’s methods, losing only one game.
As for Bournemouth, Andoni Iraola turned the team from dogged performers to an exciting side last season. However, Dominic Solanke’s departure might hurt them, although Evanilson will aim to hit the ground running when he arrives from FC Porto. The Cherries have been busy in the market this summer, while they enjoyed an unbeaten pre-season campaign, winning and drawing twice each.
The corresponding fixture last season saw Bournemouth come from a goal down to beat Nottingham Forest 3-2, with Dominic Solanke scoring a match-winning hat-trick. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Nottingham Forest
Nuno Espirito Santo does not have any fitness issues hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s first match of the 2024/25 season. Against Bournemouth on Saturday, the Nottingham Forest manager will have a full-strength squad.
Matz Sels should take his spot between the sticks, with Nottingham Forest lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Bournemouth on Saturday. The backline should feature Neco Williams, Ola Aina, Murillo, and summer signing Nikola Milenkovic.
As for the midfield unit, Ryan Yates and Danilo should pair up in the double pivot. The duo will aim to keep things tight in the middle of the park. Morgan Gibbs-White will reprise the no. 10 role, with Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi being the two wide attackers. Finally, Chris Wood will lead the line for Nottingham Forest this weekend.
