Nottingham Forest v Liverpool: Back fired-up hosts to score in 5/1 bet builder | OneFootball

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Nottingham Forest v LiverpoolSunday 22 February, 14:00Live on Sky Sports

Marinakis presses reset button again to avoid catastrophe

While there's no doubt that Nottingham Forest have made great strides during Evangelos Marinakis' tenure as owner, the Greek shipping magnate's capricious and impulsive nature has put the club in danger of a completely needless relegation. The recently hired Vitor Pereira - who successfully worked under Marinakis at Olympiakos - is the fourth Forest manager of this crazy season.

Pereira was a successful firefighter at Wolves last season, but he then was involved in a dreadful start to this campaign which doomed the club to relegation. It seems extraordinary that the Portuguese journeyman could have a hand in relegating two different clubs in the same campaign, but it is a possibility if he doesn't hit the ground running.

Thursday night's 3-0 win at Fenerbahce in the Europa League made for a promising start. Forest swept aside a team that's been put together at great expense and that is pushing Galatasaray hard in the race for the Turkish Super Lig title. Pereira resisted the temptation to adopt his favoured back three, and the team played with a spark and a sense of adventure throughout.

That kind of performance will be needed in the Premier League, as Forest are currently just three points above the dropzone and indeed three points ahead of West Ham, coached by their old manager Nuno.

Forest have no fresh injury concerns. Recently-signed keeper Stefan Ortega is expected to retain his place, with rival Matz Sels less than fully fit.

Win over Sunderland a big step for inconsistent Reds

It's been a mixed bag of performances from Liverpool this season, but their last Premier League game featured one of their best displays of the campaign, as they became the first visiting team this term to beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. It was a 1-0 success that featured a superb Florian Wirtz display in the first half, and flawless defending from Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in the second period. Van Dijk's towering header from a set play proved to be the only goal of the game.

Liverpool's title defence has been a huge disappointment, but a fifth-round trip to Wolves in the FA Cup is eminently winnable, and Arne Slot's side are already through to the last 16 of the Champions League. It could still be a successful season for a team that has gone through a lot of upheaval this term.

This weekend offers Liverpool the chance to perhaps showcase their progress, as their 3-0 home defeat against Forest in late November was arguably the nadir of their season. Since then they have lost just three of 20 competitive matches.

Right-backs Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong are still out injured, so either Dominik Szoboszlai or Curtis Jones could deputise. Ryan Gravenberch was rested against Brighton in the FA Cup, but should return to the midfield here.

Konate fouls part of 5/1 Bet Builder

Konate produced one of his best performances of the season in the win at Sunderland, but I'm surprised that we can back him to commit two fouls or more here at 6/4 on the Sportsbook. The French international committed two fouls in the reverse fixture, and he has committed two fouls or more in nine of his last 20 starts for the Reds. Whether he'll be up against Lorenzo Lucca or Igor Jesus here, he'll be facing an awkward and physical centre-forward.

We can then throw in Both Teams To Score. Despite Liverpool's excellent defending in the win at Sunderland, we can't get away from the fact that both teams have found the net in nine of their last 13 Premier League matches, and they are yet to prove they can be rock-solid defensively on a consistent basis. For all of their recent problems, Forest have scored at least once in five of their last seven top-flight matches.

Finally, I'll back the outstanding Dominik Szoboszlai to have a shot on target. The Hungarian is a threat from set plays - as he showed with a stunning free-kick recently against Manchester City - and he even threatens when he plays at right-back. The 25-year-old has had a shot on target in each of his last eight Liverpool appearances.

Ever-improving Wirtz to contribute again

Although I believe he was playing well from the moment he arrived at Liverpool, in terms of actual goal contributions Florian Wirtz has had a clear upturn in form in recent months. The German international has delivered either a goal or an assist in seven of his last 14 appearances, and his partnership with Hugo Ekitike has been particularly impressive.

At 7/5, I feel backing Wirtz to score or assist here represents good value.