Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest predictions: Goals galore on the south coast

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest in the Championship on Friday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event, 7.45pm Friday

Best bet

Over 2.5 goals
1pt Evs bet365, Betfair

Team news

Bournemouth
Bournemouth are without Kieffer Moore, Gary Cahill and Ryan Christie through injury, while Jefferson Lerma is suspended. Ethan Laird is back in training but may not be ready to feature.

Nottingham Forest
Ethan Horvath is set to start in goal for Forest with Brice Samba suspended. Ryan Yates is in line for a recall.

Match preview

Bournemouth’s decision to splash the cash in January is starting to pay dividends following three straight wins but the Cherries' home form will need to improve if they want to hang on to their automatic promotion place.

New recruit Siriki Dembele scored an injury-time winner at Blackpool in Bournemouth’s last outing to move the second-placed side four points clear of the playoff positions, and Scott Parker's men have at least one game in hand on the majority of the chasing pack.

Among those hoping to chase down Bournemouth are Nottingham Forest - Friday’s visitors to the Vitality Stadium are aiming to climb into the top six with a win.

Steve Cooper has overseen a remarkable change in fortunes at Forest since taking charge and they have the quality to challenge a Bournemouth side who have been far from convincing in front of their own fans.

Bournemouth have failed to win three of their last five Championship home games, while they were also turned over by non-league Boreham Wood on their patch in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Backing the Cherries at odds-on holds little appeal as a result, but it’s not easy to put your faith in Forest either.

Having been tough to beat in Cooper’s early days, Forest have lost two of their last four away from home, while they needed a late Ryan Yates equaliser to salvage a point against Stoke last time out.

The most consistent aspect for both sides has been goals. Bournemouth’s matches at the Vitality this season have averaged more than three goals per game and these two teams are good enough to defy the strong winds of Storm Eunice to keep up that average.

The Cherries boast the Championship’s second-best attack, bagging two per outing on average overall. Meanwhile, Forest have failed to score only once in 11 away games under Cooper and travel south with the in-form Brennan Johnson in the squad. The 20-year-old has netted in five of his last six appearances.

Johnson spearheads a Forest attack that can expose a Bournemouth defence missing its leader Gary Cahill, and even in the likely windy conditions the stage looks set for an entertaining encounter between two quality teams.

Click to read Aaron Ashley's focus on Forest boss Steve Cooper

Key stat

Twelve of Bournemouth’s 14 home games in the Championship this season have featured three or more goals.

Not got a bet365 account? Bet £10 & get £50 in free bets

Open account offer. Minimum deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as bet credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Minimum odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude bet credits stake. Time limits/T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport