Forest, Everton seek year-end relief amid growing pressure
Nottingham Forest F.C. vs. Everton F.C. begins at 19:30 [GMT] on Tuesday, December 30, at City Ground.
Nottingham Forest may start the round five points clear of the relegation zone, but their position in 17th with 18 points [5W, 3D, 10L] offers little comfort after a worrying dip in form. Three defeats in their last five Premier League matches [WLWLL] have reignited fears of a renewed scrap for survival, with Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Manchester City the latest setback. Although the City Ground has often been a source of energy, it hasn’t delivered many results of late, with the Tricky Trees winning just three of their last 13 home league games [3W, 2D, 8L]. There is, however, a positive omen for the hosts, who have developed a habit of ending the calendar year on a high. Forest won their final league fixture of both 2023 and 2024, with last year’s success coming against none other than Everton. That history could offer encouragement to Sean Dyche, who will be eager to avoid an unwanted personal trend, having lost his final league game of the year in each of the last three seasons with Burnley and Everton. The Reds' recent record against the Toffees offers mixed hope, as they’ve won just one of the last seven league meetings since returning to the top flight [1W, 2D, 4L]. Injuries and absences won’t help matters either, with Chris Wood sidelined after knee surgery, Dan Ndoye a doubt, and Willy Boly and Ibrahim Sangaré away on Africa Cup of Nations duty. A 4—2—3—1 pattern is expected with Igor Jesus starting upfront.
Everton arrive in the East Midlands with their own concerns after failing to score in their last three league matches [0W, 1D, 2L], including a 0-0 at Burnley last weekend. That barren run has seen David Moyes’ side drop to 12th with 25 points [7W, 4D, 7L], and the manager will be alarmed by an attacking drought reminiscent of a four-game goalless streak last experienced under his watch back in April 2006. Everton have also lost their last two end-of-year league fixtures to nil and have never lost three such matches in succession. Despite that, the Toffees boast an impressive away record in this fixture, having won four of their last five league visits to the City Ground [4W, 1D, 0L], including the last two. The visitors will be without Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye due to their participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall remains sidelined. Beto may start upfront in a 4—2—3—1 formation.