Nottingham Forest host sixth-placed Liverpool in a Premier League clash at the City Ground, with both sides chasing vital points for their very different league ambitions.
| Tournament: | Premier League |
|---|---|
| Venue: | City Ground, Nottingham |
| Date: | 22.02.2026 |
| Time: | 14:00 GMT |
Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool Form and Head to Head
The Tricky Trees enter this encounter on the back of a spectacular 3-0 away win to Fenerbahce in the Europa League. Domestically, their last Premier League outing saw them draw 0-0 at home against Wolves. Over their last six matches across all competitions, Forest's form has been inconsistent. Their home form rank of 14th in the league over the last six home games, having secured only 6 points from a possible 18.
They have also seen under 2.5 goals in their last 4 home matches against Liverpool in all competitions.
On the other hand, Liverpool have enjoyed a decent run in recent matches. Arne Slot's men have won four and lost two games in all competitions in their previous six matches. They have scored 17 goals in that run and kept three clean sheets.
The most recent encounter between these two sides took place in November 2025, where Liverpool emerged victorious with a commanding 3-0 win at Anfield. Looking at the last six meetings in the Premier League, Liverpool have held the upper hand, winning three matches to Nottingham Forest's two, with just one draw between them.
This suggests a competitive rivalry, often decided by fine margins, especially considering the fact that Nottingham Forest have seen under 2.5 goals in their last 4 home matches against Liverpool in all competitions.
Who is the Betting Favourite in Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool?
Liverpool are firm favourites to beat Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, with the latest odds implying roughly a 55% chance of an away win. Nottingham Forest are priced as underdogs with around a 23% chance of an upset.
| Match Result | Best Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Nottingham Forest | 16/5 | BetVictor |
| Liverpool | 7/8 | Betway |
| Draw | 3/1 | Betfred |
Odds last updated at 3:45PM Saturday, 21st February.
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Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool Team News
Nottingham Forest are contending with several key absences. Chris Wood remains sidelined with a knee injury, while Junior Victor and Nicolo Savona are also out due to injuries. Furthermore, Matz Sels is doubtful, struggling with a groin problem that could keep him out until next month. These absences, particularly in attack and goal, could significantly impact Forest's tactical options.
Liverpool also have their share of injury concerns. Stefan Bajcetic, Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, Joe Gomez, Alexander Isak, Giusy Leoni, and Wataru Endo are all listed as injured and unavailable for this fixture. Dominik Szoboszlai returns from suspension, but the sheer volume of missing players, especially in defence and midfield, will test the Reds' squad depth.
Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool Predicted Lineups
Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Aina; Sangaré, Anderson; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Becker; Kerkez, Van Dijk, Konaté, Szoboszlai; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Gakpo, Wirtz, Salah; Ekitiké
Lineups powered by WhoScored.
Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool Match Prediction
Nottingham Forest F.C. are fighting to stay clear of the relegation zone and will be eager for points. Their wing play and frequent crosses are key attacking tools, though finishing chances, defending long shots, and limiting individual errors remain concerns. European fixtures could be a distraction, but a recent win should give them some confidence.
Liverpool arrive with strong attacking numbers, enjoying more possession and shots per game. The Reds are dangerous on the break and from direct set pieces, though they have occasionally struggled to hold leads and defend set-piece situations. With their superior firepower, an away win looks the more likely outcome, especially if they strike quickly on the counter.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Liverpool
Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool Match Stat Trends
Our EV Eagle has picked out five trending player stats for Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool.
Find 100s more player stat trends in our Trends Tool, available to Oddschecker+ Premium subscribers.
Morgan Gibbs-White has exceeded 0.5 Shots On Target in 5 of their last 5 games.
Best odds of Evens at BetMGM UK while publishing.
Dominik Szoboszlai has exceeded 0.5 Shots On Target in 5 of their last 5 games.
Best odds of 21/20 at Coral while publishing.
Dominik Szoboszlai has managed To Score Or Assist in 4 of their last 5 games.
Best odds of 7/4 at William Hill while publishing.
Elliot Anderson has exceeded 0.5 Shots in 5 of their last 6 games.
Best odds of 10/11 at BetMGM UK while publishing.
Virgil Van Dijk has exceeded 0.5 Shots in 4 of their last 5 games.
Best odds of 1/1 at BetMGM UK while publishing.
Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool Bet Builder Tip
Our Bet Builder Tip for Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool includes H. Ekitike Over 2.5 Shots; M. Salah Over 0.5 Assists; and Over 5.5 Total Liverpool Corners
Best odds of 9/1 at SpreadEx while publishing.
Hugo Ekitike Over 2.5 Shots
Hugo Ekitike has smashed this line in 3 of his last 3 appearances, showcasing his relentless shot volume up front. He's fired off 4+ shots in 6 of his last 10 Premier League outings, averaging 3.37 shots per 90 minutes across 57 attempts this season—making him a prime candidate to pepper the Forest defence again.
Mohamed Salah Over 0.5 Assists
Salah's creativity remains red-hot, delivering assists in 4 of his last 5 Premier League matches. The Egyptian King's vision and crossing have unlocked defences consistently, positioning him perfectly to set up a teammate against Forest's vulnerable backline in this fixture.
Over 5.5 Total Liverpool Corners
Liverpool have dominated this market with 7+ corners in 7 straight visits to Nottingham Forest. They've hit 7+ in 4 of their last 5 league games overall and notched 8+ in 6 of those 7 head-to-heads, thanks to their high-pressing wing play that forces set-piece overloads.
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