Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Prediction: Key Stats and Betting Tips

Liverpool welcome Nottingham Forest to Anfield on 29 August 2026 in Premier League Regular Season - 2, with both sides looking to set the tone for their campaigns after contrasting opening results. Under the watch of referee S. Barrott, Anfield should provide a fierce backdrop as Liverpool aim to turn early promise into three points.

Liverpool sit 10th with 1 point after a 2-2 away draw, while Nottingham Forest are 15th and still searching for their first point following a 0-1 home defeat. The standings and early-season statistics suggest Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest could be a one-sided affair on paper, but recent head-to-head results at Anfield warn that this fixture has been anything but straightforward for the hosts.

With the market strongly favouring Liverpool and predictive models also leaning towards a home win, this clash shapes up as a key early indicator of whether Liverpool can mount a serious push up the table and whether Nottingham Forest can once again frustrate them on Merseyside.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Key Stats

• Liverpool are 10th with 1 point from 1 match, scoring and conceding 2 goals (2-2 away), while Nottingham Forest are 15th with 0 points, 0 goals scored and 1 conceded.
• In their last five competitive meetings, Liverpool and Nottingham Forest have shared tight contests at The City Ground but Forest have twice won 1-0 at Anfield (14 September 2024 and 22 November 2025).
• In 2026 Premier League statistics so far, Liverpool average 2.0 goals scored and 2.0 conceded per match, while Nottingham Forest average 0.0 scored and 1.0 conceded.

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 so far)

After one round, Liverpool’s numbers are shaped entirely by a 2-2 away draw: they have shown attacking threat with 2 goals scored and a perfect penalty record (1 scored from 1), but also defensive vulnerability with 2 conceded. Nottingham Forest’s opening 0-1 home defeat paints a more conservative picture: no goals scored, just 1 conceded, and a failure to find the net in their only outing.

In terms of early trends, Liverpool’s fixtures profile suggests high-scoring potential: over 1.5 goals has landed in their only match, and both goals for and against were split across the 46-60 and 76-90 minute windows. Forest’s data points to low-scoring games so far, with under 1.5 goals in their first match and the only goal conceded coming late (76-90). Even at this early stage, Liverpool appear the more expansive side, while Forest are still searching for attacking fluency.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Key Matchups

R. Gravenberch vs O. Aina

Ryan Gravenberch stands out as Liverpool’s creative reference from the early top assists data. In his single Premier League appearance this season, the Dutch midfielder has already registered 1 assist in 78 minutes, underlining his influence between the lines. His passing numbers are impressive: 47 passes with 91% accuracy and 1 key pass, alongside solid defensive work (1 tackle, 2 interceptions) and 3 fouls drawn. That blend of progression and ball-winning makes him central to Liverpool’s midfield structure.

For Nottingham Forest, O. Aina emerges as a key figure from the disciplinary and all-round stats. Listed as a midfielder, he has 1 yellow card in his 74-minute outing but also contributed 1 shot on target, 26 passes (3 key passes) and 5 duels won from 11. His 5 successful dribbles from 5 attempts highlight his ability to carry the ball under pressure. The direct battle between Gravenberch’s control and Aina’s aggressive, forward-thinking play in midfield zones could be decisive in determining which side dominates territory and transitions.

Jair vs Liverpool’s attacking line

With no Liverpool top scorers data available yet, the focus shifts to Nottingham Forest defender Jair, who has been prominent in their back line. In his 90 minutes this season, Jair has produced 42 passes at 88% accuracy, 2 tackles, 2 blocks and 1 interception, while engaging in 11 duels and winning 4. He has also picked up a yellow card, reflecting his willingness to step into challenges.

Jair’s ability to read the game and intervene will be tested heavily at Anfield against a Liverpool squad boasting attacking options such as F. Chiesa, A. Isak and C. Gakpo in the wider squad list. Forest’s defensive statistics (1 goal conceded in 1 match, but no clean sheet) suggest resilience but not impenetrability. If Jair can maintain his defensive intensity without accumulating cards, Forest have a better chance of containing Liverpool’s multi-pronged attack.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

Recent meetings between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest have been tight and often low-scoring, with several matches decided by a single goal. Anfield has not always been a fortress in this fixture, and Forest have shown they can frustrate the hosts both home and away.

• 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 gives Liverpool a 35% chance of victory, the draw 35%, and Nottingham Forest 30%. That relatively compressed spread reflects Forest’s strong recent record at Anfield and the tight nature of past contests. However, bookmakers are far more bullish on the hosts, making Liverpool heavy favourites based on squad quality and home advantage.

Liverpool’s early-season numbers indicate an open game: they have already been involved in a 2-2 draw, with over 1.5 goals landing and both scoring and conceding in both halves. Forest, by contrast, are yet to score and have failed to find the net in their only match, but they conceded just once and have historically defended well in this fixture. Expect Liverpool to dominate possession, probing through midfielders like Gravenberch and A. Mac Allister, while Forest look to stay compact in their 3-4-2-1 structure and break through runners like M. Gibbs-White and C. Hudson-Odoi.

Given Liverpool are the predicted winner but the goal thresholds in the prediction block are not usable as an exact scoreline, a conservative home win feels the most realistic outcome. Forest’s lack of goals so far, coupled with Liverpool’s attacking depth, points to the hosts eventually breaking through, even if it takes time.

Predicted Score: Liverpool 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Liverpool Recent Form

Liverpool’s recent Premier League form is built on a single result this season: a draw away from home in which they scored twice and conceded twice. That performance underlines both their attacking potential and the need for defensive tightening. Their tournament statistics show no clean sheets yet, but also no matches without scoring, suggesting they are likely to be involved in games with goals at both ends.

Nottingham Forest Recent Form

Nottingham Forest opened their campaign with a narrow 0-1 home defeat, failing to score and conceding late in the match. Their recent form can be described as a losing start, with attacking output yet to ignite and no clean sheets. Historically they have been competitive against Liverpool, but their current tournament numbers (0 goals for, 1 against, and one match failed to score) highlight the need for improvement in the final third.

Liverpool Possible Starting Lineup

GK: Alisson Becker; Defenders: R. Araújo, V. van Dijk, M. Kerkez, K. Tsimikas; Midfielders: W. Endo, A. Mac Allister, R. Gravenberch, D. Szoboszlai, C. Gakpo; Forwards: A. Isak, F. Chiesa.

Liverpool’s squad list and their preferred 4-2-3-1 formation in early tournament statistics suggest a back line marshalled by V. van Dijk, with attacking full-backs like R. Araújo and K. Tsimikas providing width. In midfield, the balance of W. Endo’s defensive work with the creativity of A. Mac Allister and R. Gravenberch offers both control and penetration, while D. Szoboszlai and C. Gakpo can operate between the lines. Up front, A. Isak and F. Chiesa give Liverpool both aerial presence and pace in behind. With no official injuries listed, Liverpool appear to have the depth to rotate without losing quality.

Nottingham Forest Possible Starting Lineup

GK: M. Sels; Defenders: Jair, N. Milenković, Morato, Murillo, L. Netz; Midfielders: O. Aina, N. Domínguez, X. Schlager; Forwards: M. Gibbs-White, C. Hudson-Odoi, T. Awoniyi.

Forest’s tournament statistics indicate a 3-4-2-1 setup, which can morph into a back five under pressure. Central defenders like Jair and N. Milenković provide height and physicality, while L. Netz and possibly O. Aina offer width from deeper positions. In midfield, N. Domínguez and X. Schlager can screen the defence and recycle possession, with M. Gibbs-White and C. Hudson-Odoi supporting lone striker T. Awoniyi. The emphasis is likely to be on compactness and quick counters, using dribblers such as Aina and Hudson-Odoi to relieve pressure and create chances.

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 betting angles, built from the prediction probabilities, early form, and available odds.

• Result Tip: Liverpool to win. The prediction block edges Liverpool as the likely winner (35% vs 30% for Forest, with 35% on the draw), while the market is far more decisive: home odds range from 1.42 to 1.54, implying roughly a 64.9% to 70.4% chance of a Liverpool victory. Given Liverpool’s stronger attacking stats (2 goals in 1 match) and home advantage at Anfield, backing the home win aligns with both data and odds.
• Goals Tip: Over 1.5 total goals. Liverpool’s only match this season finished 2-2, and historical head-to-heads often feature at least one goal, even when tight. Forest’s opening game was a 0-1 defeat, suggesting their matches can be low-scoring but not necessarily goalless. While exact over/under odds are not listed, the combination of Liverpool’s attacking output and Forest’s defensive record (no clean sheets) supports a cautious goals angle above the very lowest line.
• Value Tip: Liverpool to win & Nottingham Forest under 2.5 goals. Forest have yet to score this season and failed to score in their only match, while Liverpool, despite conceding twice, typically control games at Anfield. With away odds between 5.51 and 6.55 (implied roughly 15.3% to 18.1% chance for a Forest win), the market expects Forest to struggle. Combining a Liverpool win with Forest scoring fewer than 3 goals offers a logical way to improve price while still reflecting the likely match pattern of home dominance and limited away attacking output.

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