Nottingham Forest vs Leicester Prediction: Hosts to secure a huge three points

Nottingham Forest have to improve if all their hard work earlier in the Premier League season is to count as they chase Uefa Champions League football for next season. After one win in their last five matches, the Tricky Trees welcome relegated Leicester City to the City Ground on Sunday (14:15, Sky Sports Main Event).

The Foxes won against fellow relegated side Southampton last weekend, ending an 11-game wait for a victory. They will be hoping to further dent their East Midlands' rivals ambitions in Nottinghamshire. Read on for my Nottingham Forest vs Leicester predictions, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

Team News

Forest are going to be without influential winger Callum Hudson-Odoi this weekend because of a hamstring problem. In his absence, Anthony Elanga could continue on the left flank. Nicolas Dominguez featured on the right side against Crystal Palace on Monday, but Jota Silva is an alternative to play there if Nuno Espirito Santo opts to freshen things up.

Ola Aina returned to the side at right-back in the draw at Palace, which gave the Reds a boost. The Nigerian should continue in that role for the visit of the Foxes.

Murillo picked up a knock at Selhurst Park which saw him forced off, so there are concerns surrounding his availability for Sunday. Morato is likely to fill in for him next to Nikola Milenkovic in the heart of the defence if the Brazilian is unable to feature.

Leicester are missing first-choice goalkeeper Mads Hermansen for the remainder of the term owing to a hernia.

Abdul Fatawu (knee), Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Stephy Mavididi and Ricardo Pereira (all muscle) are also confined to the medical bay.

Facundo Buonanotte missed the win over Southampton due to concussion, with the Brighton & Hove Albion loanee another doubt for Sunday's clash.

Nottingham Forest vs Leicester Odds

Forest are 1/3 to win here despite just one win in their last five games. It is a result of Leicester's overall poor form that they are the favourites, but backing the Reds to win to nil at 11/10 (which has an implied probability of 47.6%) looks more enticing as the Foxes have lost 12 of their last 15 league matches without scoring.

The hosts' latest appearance was a draw at Palace, while Leicester have drawn one of their previous two away trips in the top flight. The stalemate is on offer at 9/2.

Leicester are 17/2 to stun Forest but they have won just five of their 35 contests this term.

Each of Forest's last five home games have produced fewer than three goals, and under 2.5 goals is on offer at 5/4.

Nottingham Forest to win to nil @ 11/10

For the last few weeks, it has looked the like the wheels are coming off at the wrong time for Forest, who had been comfortable inside the top five for much of the season.

The Tricky Trees are currently sixth in the standings due to their dip in form but they are just two points behind Newcastle United and Chelsea in fourth and fifth respectively. Those two teams collide at St James' Park earlier in the afternoon, which could open the door for Forest to climb back into the Champions League places.

They need to do their job against Leicester, though. The Foxes have been poor throughout the campaign but they should have gained some confidence from their victory over Southampton.

There is much more on the line for Forest, however, so they should be able to conjure up an important three points on home turf against one of the worst teams in the division. I'm putting my faith in them to win to nil because 12 of Leicester's last 15 league matches have seen them lose without getting on the scoresheet.

Under 2.5 goals @ 5/4

Goals have been hard to come by at the City Ground in recent weeks. Since beating Brighton 7-0 here on February 1, Forest have not been involved in any high-scoring affairs on home soil.

Each of their last five outings here in the Premier League have produced fewer than three goals. Leicester may have the joint-second worst defensive record in the division with 76 goals conceded, but recent form suggests that goals will still be hard to come by for Forest.

Under 2.5 goals looks an attractive selection at 5/4, especially as it has struck in two of the Foxes' previous three games in the top flight.

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