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Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Prediction: Key Match Stats and Betting Tips

Liverpool welcome Nottingham Forest to Anfield on 29 August 2026 in the Premier League, with both sides looking to shape their early-season trajectory. Under the watch of referee S. Barrott, the lunchtime kick-off in Liverpool offers the hosts a chance to turn Anfield back into a fortress after a mixed recent head-to-head record against Forest.

After one round, Liverpool sit 10th with 1 point, having drawn their opener 2-2 away. Nottingham Forest are 15th with no points following a narrow 1-0 home defeat. For Liverpool, this is an opportunity to build early momentum in front of their own fans; for Forest, it is about proving they can compete away at one of the league’s elite and avoiding an early slide towards the bottom.

Historically, Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest at Anfield has produced some surprises in recent seasons, including a notable away win for Forest. With markets strongly favouring Liverpool but recent head-to-heads more balanced, this clash shapes up as a key fixture for bettors and neutral observers alike.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Key Stats

  • Liverpool are 10th with 1 point after 1 match, scoring and conceding 2 goals (2-2 away draw).
  • In the most recent meeting on 22 February 2026 in the Premier League at City Ground, Liverpool beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 away.
  • In 2026 Premier League statistics so far, Liverpool average 2.0 goals scored and 2.0 conceded per match, 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 (tournament statistics)

From the early Premier League standings on 2026-08-29, Liverpool have made a steadier start, drawing their only game 2-2 away. Their attack has already found the net twice, but the same tally conceded underlines defensive work still to be done. Nottingham Forest, by contrast, opened with a 1-0 home defeat and are yet to score, leaving them in the lower half.

Tournament statistics reinforce this pattern: Liverpool’s fixtures show 2 goals scored and 2 conceded across 1 match, while Forest’s single outing ended 0-1. Neither side has kept a clean sheet, and Forest have already “failed to score” once, suggesting the attacking burden is heavier on the visitors as they head to Anfield.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Key Matchups

R. Gravenberch vs O. Aina

Ryan Gravenberch is Liverpool’s standout creative figure so far in the 2026 Premier League, sitting among the top assist providers with 1 assist in his only appearance. In 78 minutes played, he completed 47 passes with an impressive 91% accuracy, created 1 key pass, and contributed defensively with 1 tackle and 2 interceptions. His all-round midfield profile – combining progression on the ball, pressing, and chance creation – makes him central to Liverpool’s attempts to break down a Forest block.

On the other side, O. Aina has been one of Nottingham Forest’s most involved players. In his single appearance (74 minutes), he recorded 26 passes, 3 key passes, and attempted 5 dribbles with 3 successes. He also engaged in 11 duels, winning 5, and took 1 shot on target. However, he picked up 1 yellow card, highlighting his combative style. The duel between Gravenberch’s passing and Aina’s aggressive ball-carrying and pressing could dictate who controls transitions in midfield.

Nottingham Forest back line vs Liverpool forwards (Jair as defensive anchor)

With Forest yet to score in the league, their defensive structure is vital, and Jair has emerged as a key figure at the back. In his 90-minute outing, Jair completed 42 passes at 88% accuracy, made 2 tackles, 2 blocks, and 1 interception, and contested 11 duels, winning 4. He also received 1 yellow card, underlining his readiness to step into challenges.

Jair’s ability to read danger and block shots will be tested against a Liverpool attack that has already scored twice in one away match and typically ramps up the intensity at Anfield. If Forest’s central defence, anchored by Jair, can withstand early pressure and manage Liverpool’s movement in and around the box, the visitors can keep the contest tight and look to exploit set pieces or counters.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

The recent head-to-head record between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest has been more competitive than many would expect, with both sides enjoying wins home and away in the Premier League and cup competitions. Anfield has not always been a safe haven for Liverpool 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 nuanced picture. The prediction model edges 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 distribution reflects Liverpool’s stronger squad and early attacking output, but also respects Forest’s recent record at Anfield and the tight nature of many of these fixtures.

Liverpool’s comparison indices in recent matches lean heavily in their favour in terms of form and attack, while Forest’s defensive index is relatively solid. Forest have kept games close, conceding only once in their opening fixture and often limiting Liverpool to narrow wins or even stealing results at Anfield in past seasons. Expect Liverpool to dominate possession and territory, with Forest organised in a 3-4-2-1 shape, looking to spring counters through the likes of M. Gibbs-White or C. Hudson-Odoi.

Given the goals threshold marker in the prediction data, the safest projected scoreline aligns with Liverpool as narrow favourites but not runaway winners. A controlled home performance, with Forest competitive but short of cutting edge, looks most plausible.

Predicted Score: Liverpool 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Liverpool Recent Form

Liverpool’s recent Premier League form is built on a single 2-2 away draw to open the 2026 campaign. That result underlines both their attacking potential and some early-season defensive looseness. In that match, they scored twice – including one goal between minutes 46-60 and another between 76-90 – but also conceded in both the early (0-15) and early second-half (46-60) phases. Overall, they have yet to keep a clean sheet in the tournament but have also not failed to score.

Nottingham Forest Recent Form

Nottingham Forest’s recent form is more concerning. They began the 2026 Premier League with a 1-0 home defeat, failing to score and conceding late between minutes 76-90. That result continues a pattern of tight, low-scoring matches but raises questions about their attacking threat, especially away from home. Forest’s tournament statistics show no goals scored and one goal conceded across their single fixture, with no clean sheets and one game where they failed to find the net.

Liverpool Possible Starting Lineup

GK: Alisson Becker or G. Mamardashvili

Defenders: V. van Dijk, J. Gomez, M. Kerkez, K. Tsimikas, J. Frimpong

Midfielders: W. Endo, A. Mac Allister, R. Gravenberch, D. Szoboszlai, F. Wirtz, C. Jones

Forwards: F. Chiesa, A. Isak, C. Gakpo, H. Ekitike, L. Koumas

Liverpool’s squad list points to a deep and flexible group. With a 4-2-3-1 formation already used once in this Premier League campaign, it is reasonable to expect a similar shape at Anfield, with V. van Dijk marshalling the back line and a technically strong midfield built around A. Mac Allister and R. Gravenberch. In attack, options such as A. Isak, F. Chiesa and C. Gakpo provide pace, movement and finishing. The depth in goal, with Alisson Becker and G. Mamardashvili among several options, adds further stability.

Nottingham Forest Possible Starting Lineup

GK: M. Sels

Defenders: Jair, Morato, N. Milenković, L. Netz, O. Diomande

Midfielders: O. Aina, N. Domínguez, N. Williams, X. Schlager, I. Sangaré, R. Yates

Forwards: M. Gibbs-White, C. Hudson-Odoi, T. Awoniyi, Igor Jesus, A. Kalimuendo

Forest’s squad profile and existing 3-4-2-1 usage suggest a back three built around Jair and Morato, with wing-backs like L. Netz and O. Aina providing width. In midfield, the presence of N. Domínguez, X. Schlager and I. Sangaré offers work rate and ball-winning ability, while M. Gibbs-White and C. Hudson-Odoi are natural candidates to support a central striker such as T. Awoniyi. The emphasis will likely be on defensive compactness and quick transitions rather than sustained possession.

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 markets are highlighted below, using current form, head-to-head trends and available odds.

  • Result Tip: Back Liverpool to win. Liverpool are the predicted winner with a 35% chance, and bookmakers heavily side with the hosts. Home odds range from 1.42 to 1.54, implying an approximate probability between 64.9% (1 ÷ 1.54 × 100) and 70.4% (1 ÷ 1.42 × 100). Forest’s away record at Anfield has produced upsets, but Liverpool’s superior squad depth and early attacking output make a home win the logical anchor bet.
  • Goals Tip: Over 2.5 total goals. Liverpool’s opening match produced 4 goals (2-2), and their recent clashes with Forest have often been tight but with enough quality on both sides to create chances. Forest’s defensive structure is solid but they conceded late in their only match, while Liverpool both score and concede at a rate of 2.0 per game so far. Markets for goals are not explicitly listed here, but using match-winner odds as a guide, over 2.5 goals is likely to be priced at a backable level given Liverpool’s attacking talent and Forest’s need to chase points.
  • Value Tip: Liverpool to win & both teams to score (BTTS Yes). Forest have scored in several recent head-to-heads, including a 3-0 win and a 1-1 draw in past Premier League meetings, and Liverpool have yet to show defensive solidity in 2026. With away odds in the 5.51–6.55 range (implied probability roughly 15.3%–18.1%) and a draw around 4.12–4.74 (≈21.1%–24.3%), combining a Liverpool win with BTTS offers a way to extract extra value from the strong home favourite while respecting Forest’s ability to create chances through players like M. Gibbs-White and C. Hudson-Odoi.

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

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