Everton vs. Nottingham Forest  8/20/22 EPL Soccer Picks, Predictions, Odds

Everton and Nottingham Forest face off on Saturday in an English Premier League showdown at Goodison Park. The last time these two teams faced off was in January of 1999. 

Everton F.C. had a ton of pressure on them heading into the season, and after the first two games, that pressure has only mounted. In the first game of the season, Everton didn’t look awful, but the offense couldn’t score a goal against the Chelsea defense and that led to the 1-0 defeat. In the last game against Aston Villa, Everton again didn’t look good and lost 2-1. The only goal that Everton had was an own goal. Everton had 42 percent of the possession and four shots on goal. Abdoulaye Doucoure suffered a thigh injury in the last game and it doesn’t look like he will be able to go in this game.

On the other side of this matchup is Nottingham Forest who are expected to be in play for the relegation this upcoming season, but they have to be happy with where they sit in this game. In the first game against Newcastle, Nottingham couldn’t get any offense going and that led to the 2-0 defeat. In the last game against West Ham United Taiwo Awoniyi scored a goal in stoppage time in the first half, and that was enough to secure the 1-0 victory. Nottingham outshot West Ham 6-5 in the last game. Moussa Niakhate was forced off with ten minutes left of the last game because of injury and it’s unclear if he will be able to play in this game. If he can’t go that is a big loss for the defense of Nottingham Forest.

Everton hasn’t looked great to start the season, but they are at home here, and I expect them to find success. Nottingham Forest has only scored one goal this season, and I don’t think they are going to find many quality scoring chances in this game. Everton might not score three or four goals here, but they will score one or two, and that will be enough with the strong defense that they play. Back Everton on the money line.