Sunday's clash in the Premier League between Everton and Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park sets the stage for a crucial relegation battle with high stakes for both teams.
With Everton and Forest both grappling with points deductions and struggling to find consistency, this encounter carries immense significance in their fight for survival in the English top flight.
Everton's fortunes in the Premier League have taken a sharp downturn following the points deduction imposed by the FA, placing additional pressure on manager Sean Dyche.
💪 pic.twitter.com/0di7ja0dBa— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 19, 2024
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Their recent outing at Stamford Bridge proved to be a nightmare as Chelsea ran riot with a resounding 6-0 victory.
Defensive errors have plagued Everton throughout the season, exemplified by their inability to contain Chelsea's relentless attack, conceding 10 shots on goal with six finding the back of the net.
Despite showing glimpses of promise with a draw against Newcastle and a crucial home win against Burnley, Everton's form remains inconsistent.
However, their home form at Goodison Park offers a ray of hope, having lost just two out of six games at their fortress.
With upcoming fixtures against relegation-threatened sides, Everton fans will hold onto hope for a turnaround in fortunes.
On the other hand, Nottingham Forest finds themselves in a similar predicament, also enduring a points deduction and struggling to secure wins.
Their recent clash against Wolverhampton ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, with both teams showcasing attacking intent.
Although Forest displayed resilience to come from behind, their defensive vulnerabilities were exposed once again.
Despite losing just two of their last six league encounters, Forest's inability to secure victories has left them hovering perilously close to the relegation zone.
A draw seems a likely outcome in this evenly contested match, given their recent trend of sharing the points.
In head-to-head encounters, Nottingham Forest is yet to secure a victory against Everton in their three previous meetings.
Team news sees Everton facing absences with key players Dele Alli, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Idrissa Gueye, and Lewis Dobbin unavailable for selection, while Jarrad Branthwaite, Nathan Patterson, and Seamus Coleman are doubtful.
For Nottingham Forest, injuries to Taiwo Awoniyi and Willy Boly rule them out, with Anthony Elanga undergoing assessment ahead of the game.
Forebet predicts a draw with both teams finding the net, reflecting the closely contested nature of this relegation battle at Goodison Park.