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 define the tone of their early campaign. Anfield remains one of the most intimidating venues in England, and Liverpool will be eager to turn that aura into three points after opening the season with a draw.

From a table perspective, Liverpool sit 10th with 1 point after a 2-2 away draw, while Nottingham Forest are 15th with no points following a narrow 0-1 home defeat. Early days, but for Liverpool this is the kind of home fixture they must control if they are to push towards the European places, while Forest are already battling to show they can be more than just relegation survivors.

Recent head-to-head meetings add extra intrigue: Forest have pulled off notable wins at Anfield in recent seasons, but Liverpool are still rated favourites by both stats and bookmakers. That tension between historical banana skin and current market expectation makes this a compelling betting and tactical matchup.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Key Stats

• Liverpool are 10th with 1 point, scoring 2 and conceding 2 across 1 Premier League match.
• Nottingham Forest have won on their last two Premier League visits to Anfield (3-0 on 22 November 2025 and 1-0 on 14 September 2024).
• In 2026 Premier League statistics, Liverpool average 2.0 goals scored and 2.0 conceded per match, while Nottingham Forest have yet to score and concede 1.0 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 so far)

After one round, Liverpool’s numbers are shaped by an open 2-2 away draw: they have shown attacking punch but defensive vulnerability, conceding twice and relying on their firepower to stay in games. Sitting mid-table at this stage is not alarming, but fixtures like this at Anfield are where they must bank points.

Nottingham Forest, 15th with 0 points and no goals scored, already feel the pressure to get something from difficult fixtures. Their 0-1 home loss suggests a familiar pattern: solid defensive structure, limited attacking output. Historically, Forest have not been overawed at Anfield, but their current attacking stats – 0 goals from 1 match and a failed-to-score rate of 100% so far – underline the scale of the task.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest Key Matchups

R. Gravenberch vs O. Aina

Ryan Gravenberch stands out as Liverpool’s key creative presence in the early Premier League data. In his single 2026 appearance he delivered 1 assist, completed 47 passes at an impressive 91% accuracy, and produced 1 key pass across 78 minutes. Those numbers point to a midfielder capable of dictating tempo and progressing play between the lines.

Opposite him, Ola Aina has been one of Forest’s most active players in their opening match. Lining up as a midfielder, he played 74 minutes, received 1 yellow card, but also contributed 3 key passes and attempted 5 dribbles, succeeding with 3. His 11 duels with 5 won show he is heavily involved in physical contests. The duel between Gravenberch’s passing quality and Aina’s aggressive, ball-carrying style could be central: if Gravenberch finds pockets behind Aina, Liverpool can exploit space; if Aina disrupts Liverpool’s midfield rhythm, Forest can spring transitions.

Forest defence unit vs Liverpool forwards

While no individual Liverpool forward has statistical output yet in the top scorers list, the squad profile is stacked with attacking talent: A. Isak, F. Chiesa, C. Gakpo, and others provide depth and variety. They will be testing a Forest back line that, in 2026 Premier League stats, has conceded just 1 goal but has also been under pressure late in games, with that goal arriving in the 76-90 minute window.

Defensively, Forest’s standout early performer is Jair, who played 90 minutes, making 2 tackles, 2 blocks, and 1 interception, with 42 passes at 88% accuracy and 11 duels contested. His ability to read danger and step out of the line will be crucial against Liverpool’s movement. If Jair and the Forest back three can maintain their structure against Liverpool’s front line, Forest can keep this competitive; if they are pulled apart, the quality of Liverpool’s attackers will eventually tell.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

The recent history between these sides has been surprisingly balanced, with Nottingham Forest causing Liverpool real problems, especially at Anfield. Several of the last clashes have been tight, low-scoring affairs decided by single goals.

• 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 match where Liverpool control territory and possession, with Forest leaning on their defensive organisation and counter-attacking threat. Liverpool’s early attacking metrics (2 goals in 1 game, 2.0 goals per match) contrast sharply with Forest’s blank in front of goal. However, Liverpool’s defensive record – 2 conceded, including a significant share early and just after half-time – hints that Forest could find moments if they are brave enough.

The prediction model edges towards Liverpool as the likely winner, assigning them a 35% chance of victory, with a 35% chance of a draw and a 30% chance of a Forest win. That relatively compressed spread reflects Forest’s recent success at Anfield and Liverpool’s defensive wobble, but the bookmakers are far more bullish on the home side. Given Liverpool’s superior squad depth, home advantage, and Forest’s lack of goals so far, a narrow but controlled Liverpool win looks the most plausible outcome.

Predicted Score: Liverpool 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Liverpool Recent Form

Liverpool’s Premier League form line is a single draw so far, reflecting an opening 2-2 away result. Offensively they have started brightly with 2 goals, including strikes in the 46-60 and 76-90 minute windows, showing late-game resilience. Defensively, conceding twice – including early in the match – underlines that this is not yet a settled back line, and clean sheets (0 in 1 match) remain an immediate target.

Nottingham Forest Recent Form

Nottingham Forest opened their campaign with a defeat, leaving them with a solitary loss in their 2026 Premier League form. They have yet to score, and their failed-to-score rate stands at 100% after 1 match. On the positive side, they kept things tight for long spells, conceding only once and that in the final 15 minutes, which suggests defensive discipline but also raises questions about late-game concentration and fitness.

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, H. Elliott

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

Liverpool have used a 4-2-3-1 shape in their only Premier League match so far, and the squad profile suits that structure: Van Dijk and Gomez at the heart of defence, full-backs like Tsimikas or Frimpong providing width, and a creative midfield platform built around Gravenberch, Mac Allister and Szoboszlai. Up front, Isak offers a focal point, with Chiesa and Gakpo capable of attacking the half-spaces. With no injury data reported, rotation will likely be tactical rather than forced.

Nottingham Forest Possible Starting Lineup

GK: M. Sels

Defenders: Jair, N. Milenković, Morato, Murillo, L. Netz

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

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

Forest lined up in a 3-4-2-1 in their opening match, and the squad composition suggests they will again rely on a back three with wing-backs. Jair, Milenković and Morato provide aerial strength and defensive presence, while Aina and Netz can operate as aggressive wide outlets. In attack, Gibbs-White and Hudson-Odoi offer creativity behind a central striker such as Awoniyi or Kalimuendo. With no confirmed absences listed, coach selection will be about balancing defensive solidity with enough pace and invention to trouble Liverpool in transition.

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 tips from different markets:

• Result Tip: Back Liverpool to win. With Liverpool given a 35% win probability by the prediction model but priced by bookmakers between 1.42 and 1.54, the market implies roughly a 64.9% to 70.4% chance of a home victory. Their stronger attack (2 goals from 1 match) and home advantage against a Forest side yet to score make the home win the most logical outcome. Odds available on Liverpool range from 1.42 (SBO, Bet365) to 1.54 (1xBet).
• Goals Tip: Under 3.5 total goals. Early-season numbers are small, but Liverpool matches have seen 4 goals in total, while Forest games have produced just 1. Recent H2H at Anfield has often been low-scoring (1-0, 0-1, 3-0, 3-2). With Forest likely to sit deep and Liverpool still bedding in a new-look attack, a controlled home win without a goal glut is plausible. Look for under-goals pricing in the totals market; use the match-winner odds as a guide that the market expects Liverpool to dominate but not necessarily in a rout.
• Value Tip: Nottingham Forest +1.5 handicap. Forest’s recent record at Anfield – two straight Premier League wins, plus several one-goal defeats in the wider H2H – suggests they can keep matches competitive here. The prediction probabilities (35% home, 35% draw, 30% away) are far closer than the match odds, which heavily favour Liverpool. That gap hints at potential value on Forest with a positive handicap, especially around lines like +1.5, where even a narrow Liverpool win would still see the bet land. Handicap prices will be derived from the core match odds band of 1.42–1.54 (home) and 5.51–6.55 (away).

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