Nottingham Forest are still searching for their first win under new boss Ange Postecoglou, and may fancy their chances when newly-promoted Sunderland visit the City Ground.
Match News and Current Form
Postecoglou has seen his side squander the lead in three of his four winless outings to start his tenure (D2, L2). While there were plenty of positives to take from a 2-2 draw in the UEFA Europa League against Real Betis on Wednesday, it made the Australian Forest’s first permanent manager to fail to win any of his first four games in charge since 1946! A home fixture seems the perfect setting in which to bounce back, but a return of four defeats from their last six home league matches means victory is far from guaranteed here (W1, D1).
Sunderland may sense an opportunity to continue their impressive start to life back in the top flight, as only in 2009/10 have they managed more points at this stage of a Premier League season than the eight they’ve picked up so far (W2, D2, L1). Boss Regis Le Bris was pleased with his side’s “character” after they were reduced to ten men yet still came from behind to draw 1-1 with Aston Villa last week, and the Frenchman’s job now is to mastermind a win on the road as the Black Cats are yet to score away from the Stadium of Light this term (D1, L1).
Head-to-Head History
This will be the first top-flight meeting since 1996/97, and the first in any league since December 2017. Sunderland boast recent superiority, winning five of the last seven league H2Hs (L2).
Win ProbabilityOpta by StatsPerform
Hot Stats and Streaks
Just three of Forest’s last 12 home games saw both teams score.
Pre-round, only West Ham (9) have conceded more goals after half-time in the Premier League this season than Forest (6).
Ahead of the weekend, only Liverpool (7) have scored more after half-time than Sunderland (6) in the Premier League this term.
Sunderland are one of just two sides who are yet to score before the break in the Premier League.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Igor Jesus is pushing for a first Premier League start having scored a brace in each of his two Forest appearances from the first whistle, with all four goals arriving before half-time. Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka tends to be in the thick of the action, with both of his assists this season coming in games when he was also yellow carded.
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Betting Analysis
Forest’s performances aren’t indicative of a side winless in four games, so backing Forest to win and both teams to score seems wise given their injury issues at the back.
