James Buttler looks ahead to Friday evening's Premier League match between the Foxes and the Tricky Trees and finds the very best bets.
It’s the 109th East Midlands derby on Friday evening. It couldn’t be any closer historically with both sides having won 41 of those meetings and 27 games ending as draws.
Forest flying in early season
So far, Forest are the surprise package of the Premier League. On 13 points from eight matches, they’ve beaten Liverpool at Anfield, taken a credible 1-1 home draw with Chelsea, and only Fulham with a 1-0 win at the City Ground have beaten them this season. In eighth place in the EPL table, a win on Friday would see them climb to fifth. After a season long battle with relegation last time around, this is nosebleed territory. for Forest fans.
It would be no surprise if Nuno Espírito Santo’s side travelled home with all three points, and priced at 8/5 anytime that’s probably good enough for most of us.
Chris Wood can't stop scoring
Chris Wood scored the winner in Forest’s 1-0 home win against Crystal Palace on Monday to land us a 5/2 on him to score anytime on Betting Radio. He’s now notched for club and country in each of his last four matches and it’s five goals in his last six games. He’s 12/5 to find the back of the net again and if Forest score, which I think they will, he’s the most likely candidate.
Foxes are tough to shake off
Leicester City are in 14th and they’d take that come May. Two wins on the bounce, a 1-0 win last time out at home against Bournemouth was a big three points. To follow that with a 3-2 comeback win over fellow promoted team Southampton, from 2-0 down after 28 minutes, was another confidence boosting effort. But they had to rely on a Southampton side that’s been less than ordinary to go down to 10 men at 2-1 before Jamie Vardy scored a 74th minute leveller from the spot and Jordan Ayew hit the last gasp winner.
Anyone for BTTS?
Only Arsenal, 4-2, have beaten the Foxes by more than a single goal and those two recent wins, followed three draws and three defeats. But Leicester are tough to beat and they’ve scored exactly one goal in each of their four league matches at the King Power. Forest have scored at least once in all away league games, so Both Teams To Score at 31/40 is definitely worth a look.
Over 1.5 match goals have landed in the last seven H2Hs, and other 2.5 in five of seven. So, goals are a play too, but if you’re looking for the winning team, it’s tough to look past that Forest win.
James Premier League Tips
Forest to win at 8/5
Chris Wood to score anytime at 12/5
Both Teams To Score at 31/40
Over 2.5 match goals at 17/20
Put all of those selections into a BetBuilder and the price is 8/1 with Bet MGM.
As always, please gamble responsibly.