Ange Postecoglou's first game in charge of Nottingham Forest is a particularly daunting one as he takes his new team to the Emirates Stadium to face off against Arsenal in the Premier League at Saturday lunchtime. There is an added narrative in that the Australian is the former head coach of Arsenal's bitter North London rivals Tottenham.
Both teams come into this clash hoping to right the wrongs of their previous result before the September international break. Indeed, Arsenal lost 1-0 to fellow title challengers Liverpool at Anfield, while Forest were defeated themselves 3-0 against West Ham at the City Ground.
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Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest prediction: Ange to suffer rude awakening?
Key stats
- Arsenal have won three of their last four home games in total in all competitions.
- Forest have only won once in 11 matches across all competitions.
- Arsenal are unbeaten in the previous four H2Hs, winning three of them.
Correct score prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Assuming that Postecoglou implements a similar open and expansive style of play at Forest to the one that he had at Spurs, it could well play into Arsenal's hands on home soil. We are expecting a strong reaction from the Gunners to their damaging defeat to title rivals Liverpool last time out.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Arsenal almighty favourites with bookmakers
- HOME: 2/5 (1.40) – 71.4%
- DRAW: 19/5 (4.80) – 20.8%
- AWAY: 13/2 (7.50) – 13.3%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, Arsenal are unsurprisingly the huge favourites with bookmakers to claim all three points in front of their home fans. A draw can be backed at just under 21%, while a Forest victory on their travels is a rank outsider at just over 13%.
Also, feel free to check out our dedicated Football Betting Tips Today page, as well as our Premier League predictions & betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Arsenal aiming for five unbeaten
As mentioned previously, Arsenal are unbeaten in the last four meetings in total between the two sides, winning three of them. The Gunners won this corresponding fixture 3-0 in the league back in November.
England Premier League 26/02/25
Nottm Forest
Arsenal
England Premier League 26/02/25
Nottm Forest
Arsenal
England Premier League 23/11/24
Arsenal
Nottm Forest
England Premier League 30/01/24
Nottm Forest
Arsenal
England Premier League 12/08/23
Arsenal
Nottm Forest
Arsenal preview: Eze to earn first start?
Eberechi Eze could be rewarded with a first start since making his move from fellow London-based Premier League side Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window. However, Arsenal will be without the services of William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus due to injury.
Predicted lineup: Raya (GK); Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Odegaard, Rice; Madueke, Gyokeres & Eze
Last five results:
- Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal
- Arsenal 5-0 Leeds
- Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal
- Arsenal 3-0 Athletic Bilbao
- Arsenal 2-3 Villarreal
Nottingham Forest preview: Aina injury blow
Forest will be unable to call upon the services of Ola Aina after he suffered an injury while on international duty. Arsenal loanee Oleksandr Zinchenko is ineligible to face his parent club.
Predicted lineup: Sels (GK); Savona, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Yates, Anderson; McAtee, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi & Wood
Last five results:
- Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham
- Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest
- Nottingham Forest 3-1 Brentford
- Nottingham Forest 0-0 Al-Qadsiah
- Nottingham Forest 0-0 Fiorentina
Player to watch: Eberechi Eze
Eberechi Eze is finally in line to make his Emirates debut for Arsenal against Forest. He is the kind of creative player that the Gunners have been crying out for to help break teams down, and could be key in unlocking the door.