Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Prediction: Key Stats and Betting Tips

Liverpool welcome Nottingham Forest to Anfield on 29 August 2026 in the Premier League, with both sides looking to shape the early tone of their campaigns. The hosts sit mid-table after an opening-day draw, while Forest arrive on the back of a defeat and in need of a response.

Under the Anfield lights, Liverpool will expect to assert themselves, especially after taking a point away from home in their first outing, scoring twice but also conceding twice. Nottingham Forest, beaten 1-0 at home in their opener, must prove they can be more threatening in attack while tightening up late in games.

The recent head-to-head record adds intrigue: Forest have taken some notable results at Anfield in recent seasons, but Liverpool remain strong favourites according to both form indicators and the betting markets.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Key Stats

• Liverpool are 10th with 1 point after 1 match, scoring 2 and conceding 2 in the Premier League standings.
• In their last five Premier League meetings (from March 2023 to February 2026), Liverpool and Nottingham Forest have traded away wins, with Liverpool winning 1-0 at the City Ground on 22 February 2026 and Forest winning 3-0 at Anfield on 22 November 2025.
• Early 2026 Premier League statistics show Liverpool averaging 2.0 goals scored and 2.0 conceded per game, while Nottingham Forest have yet to score and concede 1.0 goal per game.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest — Tale of the Tape

• Position: 10 vs 15
• Points: 1 vs 0
• Goals For: 2 vs 0
• Goals Against: 2 vs 1
• Clean Sheets: 0 vs 0

After one round of Premier League fixtures, Liverpool sit 10th in the table with a draw from their only match. They have shown attacking intent with 2 goals scored away from home, but the same number conceded underlines that their defensive structure is still bedding in.

Nottingham Forest are 15th with 0 points, following a 1-0 home defeat. They have yet to find the net in the league and have already failed to score once in their single outing. Both sides are without a clean sheet so far, but Liverpool’s superior firepower and home advantage put them in a stronger early-season position.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Key Matchups

R. Gravenberch vs O. Aina

Ryan Gravenberch has started the 2026 Premier League season as Liverpool’s standout creator in the assists chart. In his only appearance so far, the midfielder delivered 1 assist and completed 47 passes with an impressive 91% accuracy, also registering 1 key pass. Defensively, he contributed 1 tackle and 2 interceptions in 78 minutes, underlining his all-round influence in central areas.

Opposite him, O. Aina has been a key figure for Nottingham Forest in the early going, particularly highlighted in the disciplinary and involvement stats. In his single appearance, Aina played 74 minutes, picking up 1 yellow card but also contributing 26 passes, 3 key passes and 5 successful duels out of 11. His 5 dribble attempts with 3 successes show his willingness to carry the ball forward from midfield or wing-back areas.

This duel is likely to be pivotal: Gravenberch’s ability to progress play and find advanced teammates will be tested by Aina’s physicality and pressing. If the Liverpool midfielder can dictate tempo and evade Forest’s challenges, the home side should consistently break the visitors’ lines. Conversely, if Aina can disrupt and transition quickly, Forest may find rare opportunities to counter.

Jair vs Liverpool’s attacking line

While Liverpool’s individual attacking stats for this season are not detailed in the available player data, their squad list features high-calibre forwards such as A. Isak, F. Chiesa and C. Gakpo, supported by creative midfielders like F. Wirtz and D. Szoboszlai. Forest will lean heavily on defender Jair, who has already logged a full 90 minutes this season.

Jair’s numbers from his first Premier League appearance of 2026 are encouraging: 42 passes at 88% accuracy, 2 tackles, 2 blocks and 1 interception, along with involvement in 11 duels, winning 4. He also picked up 1 yellow card, showing his combative edge. His ability to read danger and block shots will be crucial against Liverpool’s varied attacking threats. If Jair can replicate his defensive output while avoiding disciplinary trouble, Forest may keep the scoreline respectable; if he is overrun or forced into errors, Liverpool’s front line could capitalise quickly.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

Recent meetings between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest have been tight and often low-scoring, with several 1-0 results and the occasional upset at Anfield. Both teams have shown they can win away in this fixture.

• 22 February 2026: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
• 22 November 2025: Liverpool 0-3 Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
• 14 January 2025: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
• 14 September 2024: Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
• 2 March 2024: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool (Premier League)

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Prediction

Stats suggest a controlled Liverpool performance at Anfield, but the head-to-head record warns against complacency. Liverpool’s recent league form shows they can score, with 2 goals in their only match so far, and their last-five metrics indicate stronger attacking and overall form compared to Forest. Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, have yet to score this season and already have one failure to score on their record.

The prediction model leans slightly towards Liverpool as the likely winner, with a 35% chance assigned to a home win, 35% to a draw and 30% to an away win. That relatively balanced split reflects Forest’s capacity to frustrate Liverpool in recent years, particularly at Anfield, where they have claimed 1-0 and 3-0 wins in the last two league visits.

However, the betting markets are far more decisive. Home odds range from 1.42 to 1.54, implying roughly a 64.9% to 70.4% chance of a Liverpool win. Draw odds between 4.12 and 4.74 translate to around 21.1% to 24.3%, while away odds from 5.51 to 6.55 imply only about 15.3% to 18.1% for a Forest victory. Combining these perspectives, Liverpool should dominate territory and chances, with Forest relying on defensive resilience and set-pieces.

Predicted Score: Liverpool 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Liverpool Recent Form

Liverpool’s recent Premier League form is marked by a single draw so far this season. They have played 1 match, away from home, scoring 2 goals and conceding 2. That performance underlines both their attacking potential and some early-season defensive vulnerability, with goals conceded in both the 0–15 and 46–60 minute windows. They have yet to keep a clean sheet but also have not failed to score.

Nottingham Forest Recent Form

Nottingham Forest’s early-season form is more concerning. They have played 1 Premier League match, a 1-0 home defeat, leaving them with no points, no goals scored and 1 goal conceded. They have already failed to score once and conceded late, between 76–90 minutes. Their last-five indicators show minimal attacking output and a defensive profile that has been solid in spells but ultimately breached.

Liverpool Possible Starting Lineup

GK: Alisson Becker; Defenders: R. Araújo, V. van Dijk, M. Kerkez, K. Tsimikas; Midfielders: W. Endo, R. Gravenberch, D. Szoboszlai, A. Mac Allister; Forwards: F. Chiesa, A. Isak.

Liverpool’s squad list points towards a flexible 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 shape, consistent with their most-used formation in the early statistics. Alisson Becker provides stability in goal, with V. van Dijk marshalling a back line that can mix physicality and pace through players like R. Araújo and M. Kerkez. In midfield, W. Endo offers balance, while R. Gravenberch’s early assist and high passing accuracy suggest he will be central to ball progression. Further forward, creative talents such as D. Szoboszlai and A. Mac Allister can link with a front line featuring the movement and finishing of A. Isak and the direct running of F. Chiesa. With no injury data reported, Liverpool appear to have strong depth and multiple tactical options.

Nottingham Forest Possible Starting Lineup

GK: M. Sels; Defenders: Jair, N. Milenković, Morato; Wing-backs/Midfielders: O. Aina, N. Williams, X. Schlager, L. Netz; Attacking midfielders: M. Gibbs-White, C. Hudson-Odoi; Forward: T. Awoniyi.

Forest’s statistics indicate a preference for a 3-4-2-1 shape, and their squad composition supports that. M. Sels should continue in goal, protected by a back three featuring Jair, whose defensive stats (tackles, blocks and interceptions) highlight his importance. Wide roles can be filled by O. Aina and L. Netz, providing width and ball-carrying, while central midfield options like X. Schlager and N. Williams can offer energy and pressing. In attack, M. Gibbs-White and C. Hudson-Odoi are natural candidates to support a central striker such as T. Awoniyi. This structure is designed to be compact without the ball and spring forward quickly, but they must find more cutting edge in the final third.

Liverpool Team News

No significant absences reported.

Nottingham Forest Team News

No significant absences reported.

Injuries & Suspensions

Liverpool:

• None reported.

Nottingham Forest:

• None reported.

Betting Tips: Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest

Exactly 3 distinct tips from different markets:

• Result Tip: Back Liverpool to win. The home side are stronger on early-season metrics and have the attacking quality to break down Forest. Market odds on a Liverpool victory range from 1.42 to 1.54 across major bookmakers, implying roughly a 64.9%–70.4% chance of a home win.
• Goals Tip: Liverpool to score at least 2 goals. They average 2.0 goals per game so far and face a Forest side that conceded late in their only match and have no clean sheets. While specific goal-line odds are not listed here, the strong home-win prices (around 1.50) suggest bookmakers also expect Liverpool to create multiple scoring chances.
• Value Tip: Consider a card-focused angle involving Nottingham Forest. Players like O. Aina and Jair have already picked up yellow cards this season, and Forest’s need to defend deep at Anfield could lead to more fouls. With away-win odds as high as 6.55, the market clearly sees Forest as underdogs; value may lie in derivative markets such as Forest bookings rather than match result, using the main-line odds (home 1.42–1.54, draw 4.12–4.74, away 5.51–6.55) as context for expected game state.

Odds are accurate at the time of writing and subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.