Leicester vs Nottingham Forest prediction, betting tips and odds: Defences to dominate in derby dust-up

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Where to watch Leicester vs Nottingham Forest

You can watch Leicester vs Nottingham Forest in the Premier League at 8pm on Friday, October 25, live on Sky Sports Main Event & Football

Match prediction & best bet

Under 2.5 goals
2pts 4-5 general

Recommended

4/5

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Leicester vs Nottingham Forest odds

Leicester 2-1
Nottingham Forest 6-4
Draw 12-5

Odds correct at time of publishing

Leicester vs Nottingham Forest predictions

There is an extra element of spice to this East Midlands derby with Leicester manager Steve Cooper preparing for his first battle with former employers Nottingham Forest since his sacking last December.

Both sides have plenty of reason to be optimistic ahead of this fixture after their recent results, as Leicester chase a third straight victory following successes over Bournemouth and Southampton while Forest bid to strengthen their eighth-placed position.

The Foxes took their time to adapt to life back in the Premier League but their only defeat in their last five came away at Arsenal, who required two injury-time goals to record a 4-2 victory at the Emirates.

Forest, meanwhile, have lost only one of their opening eight matches and they have made great progress under the stewardship of Nuno Espirito Santo, headlined by their 1-0 victory away at Liverpool in the middle of September.

The visitors' success has been based around their strong defensive foundations and this derby dust-up at the King Power Stadium may lack some attacking verve.

Eight of Forest’s opening nine games have gone under 2.5 and those fixtures have featured a total of only 14 goals, an average of 1.75 per outing.

Each of Forest’s three victories over Southampton, Liverpool and Crystal Palace were hard-fought and finished 1-0 and Nuno is unlikely to revert away from those defensive-minded tactics while things are going positively.

Leicester have been embroiled in some free-scoring contests this season but three of their four league games at the King Power Stadium went under 2.5 goals and Forest are likely to determine how the contest goes.

The Foxes have had the second fewest shots in the Premier League this season, registering only 76 efforts in eight games, suggesting that their current tally of 12 goals may be a touch flattering.

Forest boss Nuno focuses on maintaining a solid defensive line and controlling the midfield area and it could mean that the pair cancel one another out in what promises to be a cagey contest.

Key stat

Four of Forest’s eight league matches this season have featured only one goal.

Leicester vs Nottingham Forest team news

Leicester
Patson Daka, Hamza Choudhury, Jannik Vestergaard, Nathaniel Opuku and Jakub Stolarczyk remain sidelined but Abdul Fatawu is expected to be handed a start following his impact as a substitute against Southampton last weekend.

Nottingham Forest
Midfielders Ibrahim Sangare and Danilo are still out but James Ward-Prowse returns from suspension. Morgan Gibbs-White must be assessed following an ankle injury but reports sound promising.

Probable teams

Leicester (4-2-3-1): Hermansen; Justin, Okoli, Faes, Kristiansen; Ndidi, Winks; Fatawu, Buonanotte, Mavididi; Vardy.
Subs: Ayew, El Khannouss, De Cordova-Reid, Skipp, Coady, Soumare, Edouard, Pereira.

Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Murillo, Milenkovic, Moreno; Yates, Ward-Prowse; Hudson-Odoi, Anderson, Elanga; Wood.
Subs: Gibbs-White, Dominguez, Morato, Williams, Sosa, Awoniyi, Boly, Silva.

Inside info

Leicester

Star man Facundo Buonanotte
Top scorer Jamie Vardy
Penalty taker Jamie Vardy
Card magnet Facundo Buonanotte
Assist ace Wilfred Ndidi
Set-piece aerial threat Wout Faes

Nottingham Forest

Star man Callum Hudson-Odoi
Top scorer Chris Wood
Penalty taker Chris Wood
Card magnet Ryan Yates
Assist ace Anthony Elanga
Set-piece aerial threat Chris Wood

Leicester vs Nottingham Forest bet builder predictions

Under 2.5 goals
Eight of Nottingham Forest’s nine matches in all competitions have gone under 2.5 goals and this contest may follow a similar narrative.

Ryan Yates to have over 1.5 shots
Only Chris Wood and Morgan Gibbs-White have had more shots for Forest this season than Ryan Yates, who had four efforts in Monday's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.

Wilfred Ndidi to be shown a card
Stopping Forest's midfield controlling the game will be key for Leicester and that may lead to a booking for Wilfred Ndidi, who has three yellows in his last five league starts.

Pays out at 16-1 with bet365

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