Our readers support The Independent's journalism. If you click links to other sites on this page, we may earn commission. Follow our football betting tips as Sunderland face Nottingham Forest on Friday night.
Sunderland vs Nottingham Forest: Match Preview
Nottingham Forest can edge closer to Premier League safety on Friday when they travel to Sunderland, aiming to extend their unbeaten run to six matches (kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports). Currently five points above the relegation zone, Forest have been boosted by recent wins over Tottenham and Burnley, both in the bottom three, making them outsiders with bookmakers for relegation.
Since Vitor Pereira took over as their fourth manager this season, fortunes have improved. Forest have won five and drawn four of his 13 games in charge and also have a Europa League semi-final against Aston Villa to look forward to. Their primary focus remains top-flight survival, and a win on Friday would pull them further clear of danger. However, Sunderland have enjoyed a standout season back in the Premier League, sitting 11th but just two points behind sixth-placed Chelsea, making European qualification a realistic target for Regis Le Bris’ side, who won promotion via the play-offs last May.
Sunderland vs Nottingham Forest Betting Tips
Both teams have scored only 36 goals in 33 league games this season, so a high-scoring affair seems unlikely. However, both come into this match on the back of their best scoring performances. Forest scored four in a 4-1 win over Burnley, with Morgan Gibbs-White netting a hat-trick to come from behind. Sunderland scored three at Aston Villa, including two in the final four minutes, only to lose to a Tammy Abraham goal deep into stoppage time.
Sunderland are favourites to win, but after going unbeaten in their first 12 home league games, they have lost two of their last three at the Stadium of Light. They were beaten by Liverpool and Fulham before bouncing back to defeat Spurs in their last home match. They are priced at 9/5 to secure three points. When the sides met earlier this season, Sunderland won 1-0 via a goal from defender Omar Alderete, the third consecutive 1-0 result between them. Sunderland also won their previous trip to the City Ground by a single goal, while Forest won the last meeting at the Stadium of Light by the same scoreline. The last top-flight meeting between the two was in 1996/97, ending 1-1 at Roker Park.
Betting sites offer 18/5 on a score draw, and with 19 draws between the sides this season, it is a viable option.
Prediction 1: Draw - 23/10 with Betfred
Morgan Gibbs-White’s hat-trick last time out took his season tally to 15 goals in 50 appearances across all competitions. He has five goals in his last five games, including the winner in a 1-0 victory over Porto to secure a Europa League semi-final spot. Since the start of March, no Premier League player has scored more across all competitions. Betting apps offer 11/4 for him to score at any time on Friday, or 6/4 for him to score or assist, which he has done 14 times this season.
Prediction 2: Morgan Gibbs-White to Score or Assist - 6/4 with Virgin Bet
Sunderland vs Nottingham Forest Team News
Predicted Lineups:
Sunderland: Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Rigg, Diarra, Le Fee; Brobbey.
Nottingham Forest: Sels; Aina, Murillo, Milenkovic, Williams; Sangare, Anderson; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Ndoye; Jesus.
Sunderland vs Nottingham Forest Betting Offers
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