This article contains affiliate links to advertisers. The analysis is our own. Gamble Aware 18+
Round 22 of the English Premier League season brings a top-of-the-bill tussle involving two teams in desperate need of the points. Home side Nottingham Forest require all three points to distance themselves from the bottom three and relegation to the Championship. Arsenal start in pole position, but have Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City breathing down their necks.
Arsenal boast a fine record in this fixture and were unbeaten against Forest in two meetings last season. The Gunners scored three goals, conceded none, and banked four of a possible six points. Lovers of the stats will be interested to learn that the aggregate score from the last three meetings reads Arsenal 6-0 Forest. Will Mikel Arteta’s side build on that here?
The top legal and licensed online sportsbooks available to UK customers offer over 100 pre-match betting markets on Nottingham Forest v Arsenal. Armchair fans can pick their favourite, gamble using their mobile, and follow the play live on television. Need help finding a strong play? Experienced sports betting writer Frank Monkhouse offers his three best bets.
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal tips
No both teams to score @ 4/5 (bet365)
Arsenal -1 handicap @ 6/4 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Both teams to score - no
For our first of three bets from the City Ground, we play no in the both teams to score market. Regular readers of my Premier League previews and predictions for Flashscore know I often target the value in taking yes from the BTTS market. I’m not a huge fan of betting on no as it can spoil your enjoyment of a game, but the stats make it a strong bet.
Backing no in the both teams to score market would’ve landed you a profit when these sides last met. Arsenal used home advantage to win 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium back in September. Martin Zubimendi scored either side of a Viktor Gyokeres strike that day for a simple victory to delight supporters. I expect to see something similar under the bright lights.
Continuing with the H2H stats available at Flashscore, we note a bet on both teams to score - no landed in each of the previous three meetings. Arsenal also kept a clean sheet when drawing with Liverpool earlier this month. Nottingham Forest, who start down in 17th, failed to score when hosting both Everton and Tottenham Hotspur last month.
Tip: No both teams to score @ 4/5 (bet365)
Bet explanation: With this bet, at least one of these teams must fail to score. A 1-0 home win is as good as a 3-0 away win or a goalless draw.
Match result - Arsenal
Moving to our second suggested bet in Saturday’s live match, we’re picking sides when taking Arsenal to win. If you follow our thinking with this wager, you can back Arsenal to take all three points back to London as a single or add it to your weekend accumulators. The performance, scorers, and margin of victory aren’t as important to you as the result.
Again, we take heart from the stats and recent form of these clubs. As mentioned earlier, Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest without fuss during the summer. That was a result that helped set the pace for their season. Backing an Arsenal win would’ve helped you beat the bookies in four of the last five meetings, with the spare ending in a 0-0 draw last February.
Arsenal lead the race to the 2025/26 Premier League trophy. They boast stats of 15 wins, four draws, and two defeats, scoring 40 goals, and conceding 14. The Londoners have the most wins, fewest defeats, and the best defence in the division. Forest have six wins, three draws, and a dozen defeats. The locals have scored 21 goals and conceded 34 so far.
Tip: Arsenal win @ 8/15 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, you’ll earn a profit.
Handicap - Arsenal -1
The third and final Nottingham Forest v Arsenal prediction has the best odds attached, taking Arsenal minus one goal on the handicap. When following this pick, the Gunners must defeat the Tricky Trees, and they need to do it in good style. The traders give Forest a goal head start, and you need the EPL leaders to cover the handicap and win the match.
Let’s look at a working example of this bet. If you place a bet on Arsenal -1 handicap and the team from the UK capital wins 2-1, Arsenal claim the points, but your bet loses as they didn’t cover the handicap. Arsenal must beat Nottingham Forest by at least two clear goals. The timing of the goals isn’t important. A simple 2-0 win is as useful as a stunning 5-2 away win.
Two of the last three games involving the Tricky Trees and Gunners ended in a 3-0 win for Arsenal. The visitors also recently defeated Portsmouth by three goals in the FA Cup and high-flying Aston Villa by three in the English Premier League. Switching sides, Forest exited the FA Cup after leaking three at lower league Wrexham. Arsenal will pile on the misery.
Tip: Arsenal -1 handicap @ 6/4 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Arsenal must defeat Nottingham Forest by at least two clear goals.
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
Nottingham Forest win 9/2 (bet365)
Arsenal win @ 8/15 win (bet365)
Discover the Best Betting Bonuses
If you're looking to take advantage of this week's Premier League matches for your bets, Flashscore is here to help. On our betting bonuses page, you'll find some of the best promotions and bonus codes on the market.
The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.