Premier League: Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest are Dreaming Big

Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest

Two of the surprise packages in the Premier League this 2024-25 season will square off again, as Bournemouth host Nottingham Forest at the Vitality Stadium this Saturday evening. Both teams are in great recent form because they have gone undefeated for a while.

Bournemouth are coming off a dominant 4-1 win against Newcastle United last weekend to stretch their unbeaten run to 10 consecutive matches. Andoni Iraola’s side is seventh in the Premier League standings with 37 points, three points away from a Top 4 spot.

Nottingham Forest are also coming off a victory after winning 3-2 against Southampton last Sunday to extend their undefeated run to eight consecutive matches. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men are third in the table with 44 points, level with second-seeded Arsenal, and six points away from the top berth.

Which team will take the full three points this weekend? Continue reading below for today’s SBOTOP preview.

 

Talking Points

Kluivert is taking charge of Bournemouth

Bournemouth are coping well without their star strikers Enes Unal and Evanilson, as Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo have been shouldering the scoring load. Kluivert became the first double-digit goalscorer for the Cherries following his otherworldly performance against the Magpies.

Kluivert scored a hat-trick to dispatch Newcastle United. His first goal was a cool finish after a nifty cutback by Antoine Semenyo. And when Bruno Guimaraes scored the equaliser during the 25th minute, Kluivert put Bournemouth back in the driver’s seat with another composed finish following Guimaraes’ turnover from outside his box. He notched his third goal in stoppage time with a spectacular drive into the far corner following Anthony Gordon’s poor pass. Milos Kerkez rubbed more salt into the Magpies’ wounds by firing a late left-footed shot into the far corner.

With Nottingham Forest likely to key in on Kluivert, Antoine Semenyo could be the x-factor for the Cherries. The 25-year-old winger is the team’s second-leading scorer with six league goals and three assists this season.

Bournemouth continues taking the Premier League by storm, even with their growing injury list. More than anything, this speaks volumes on Andoni Iraola’s superb management skills.

 

Aina another unsung hero for Nottingham Forest

After their 1-1 draw against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest survived a five-goal thriller against Southampton, which saw Ola Aina coming up with crucial clutch plays down the stretch.

Elliot Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Chris Wood put the Tricky Trees up 3-0 in the first half, However, the Saints narrowed the deficit, as Jan Bednarek and Paul Onuachu scored two goals in the second half.

Southampton were desperate to score the equaliser, and they almost had it during stoppage time. The Saints fired a late corner kick, and Bednarek attempted to head the ball into the back of the net as he jumped over everyone, but Aina’s timely intervention prevented the goal. Before his outstanding goal-line clearance, Aina also notched an assist by teeing up Chris Wood’s goal in the 41st minute. The 28-year-old full-back now has two league goals and one assist this season.

 

History

Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest have already faced off last August during the first matchday of the 2024-25 season. Both sides shared the spoils at City Ground, as Chris Wood and Antoine Semenyo found the back of the net for their respective clubs.

The Cherries are undefeated in their last nine league games against the Tricky Trees (W5, D4) since a 2-1 away loss in the Championship in February 2015. The Tricky Trees have won just one of their last 10 away league games against the Cherries (D3, L6), last doing so in the Championship in August 2014 (2-1).

The team scoring the first goal has won none of the five Premier League matches between Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest (D3, L2). In all five cases, the hosts have opened the scoring.

 

Betting Tip

The Premier League 2025 odds predict another close fight between Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest. Because they’re playing at home, Bournemouth have a slight edge at 2.07, but Nottingham Forest aren’t far behind at 3.21. However, we’re going for another draw here, pegged at 3.24.

Football fans and bettors will get their fair share of Premier League 2025 highlights from this fixture since the Cherries and the Tricky Trees can score goals, making alternatives like Over 2.50 at 1.84, Over 2.75 at 2.07, and Total Goals 2-3 at 2.00 worth considering. Moreover, a Correct Score of 1-1 – the result of their first league meeting this campaign – has a decent offer of 6.30 your bet.

   

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