Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth Prediction: Kroupi can live up to wonderkid tag

Europe-bound Bournemouth look to fortify their position as they travel to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League (4PM, Sky Sports+). The Cherries are likely to bid farewell to manager Andoni Iraola. The Liverpool target’s contract comes to an end this summer.

Forest will be glad to see the back of this domestic season, though the Europa League offered more excitement as they reached the semi finals. Read on for my Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth predictions.

Team News

Forest boss Vitor Pereira told reporters on Thursday that Murillo is yet to return to training with his teammates. The defender pulled up against Burnley last month, but was risked in the second leg of the Europa League semi-finals against Aston Villa. It seems unlikely Pereira will attempt the same brinksmanship in a game with little on the line for his side.

Premier League Odds

Ola Aina is back in first team training but this game comes too early for his participation. The same is likely to be true of Dan N’Doye, though he has a couple of sessions under his belt.

Bournemouth have Ryan Christie suspended following his sending off against Fulham. Julio Soler is back in training following a thigh injury, but this game likely comes too soon for the defender.

Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth Odds

Forest are priced at 21/10 to secure a season-closing home victory. Bournemouth are backed at 11/10 for a winning finish under Iraola. The draw is priced at 11/4.

Bournemouth to win @ 11/10

Forest have had a bruising season, with four head coaches leading the side out in a turbulent campaign. Pereira has stabilised things, bringing survival and a European semi final. But a 1-1 draw with a ropey Newcastle United side and a 3-2 loss to Manchester United have been symptoms of the shifting focus to Europe at the City Ground. 

Bournemouth meanwhile have been on a tear. They denied Manchester City a last-day title tilt with a 1-1 draw in the week. That was their 17th Premier League match unbeaten. I feel like Iraola’s men will take advantage of a Forest side with nothing to play for, as they look to fortify sixth-place and look ahead to a first European campaign in Bournemouth’s history.

Eli Junior Kroupi to score anytime @ 11/10

Goalscoring consistency is hard to find in the Premier League. It is even harder to find a teenager who spent last season in Ligue 2 who can hit the ground running in the English top tier. But that’s exactly what the Cherries have unearthed in Kroupi.

13 goals from 32 Premier League outings at 19 years of age is a superb return. I reckon the wonderkid caps off a breakout campaign with another goal at the City Ground. 

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.