Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal: Two 3/1 picks for Wednesday's game

Third meets second when Nottingham Forest welcome Arsenal to the City Ground on Wednesday. 

Both head into the game on the back of disappointing results at the weekend, but where does the value lie? 

Our tipster Brad Walker (@brad_TWalker) has run his eye over the betting odds to pick out three tips ahead of kick-off.

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal analysis - opportune moment for hosts to refind winning form?

Eyes are on Nottingham Forest after losing three of their last five in the Premier League. Nuno Espirito Santo's men also squeaked past League One side Exeter City on penalties in the FA Cup, raising the question of whether now's the time their inevitable slide down the table begins. 

There's no doubt Forest have been the surprise of the season so far, particularly considering many (definitely not me, promise) were tipping them to be in a relegation dogfight once again this term. Sitting in third place heading into this one, Forest remain looking over their shoulder at the chasing pack after suffering consecutive losses away at Fulham and Newcastle. 

Then again, visitors Arsenal hardly head to the City Ground with their tails up after a 1-0 home defeat to West Ham on Saturday. The result dealt a huge, perhaps fatal, blow to the Gunners' title aspirations, leaving them 11 points adrift of league leaders Liverpool who won 2-0 at Manchester City the following day.

Arsenal are also out of both domestic cups and are juggling a lengthy injury list which casts doubt over their ability to compete on the European front. With their season hanging by a thread, it's hardly an ideal time to travel to Forest, even if the hosts have suffered a couple of difficult results in recent weeks.

Arsenal face an uphill battle in the Premier League title race after losing to West Ham on Saturday. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Best bets for Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal on Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Selection #1 - Nottingham Forest to win - 3/1

All three of Forest's recent defeats have came on away soil against tough opposition. A 5-0 drubbing at Bournemouth was of course disappointing but also saw them come up short against one of the league's other surprise packages, while both Fulham and Newcastle are also in contention for a place among the European spots.

Forest have also suffered just two league defeats at home this season. In fact, their last outing at the City Ground saw them pickup a resounding 7-0 win over Brighton, which is hardly a sign of a side slumping down the table. 

West Ham also enjoyed a wealth of success sitting deep and counter-attacking Arsenal at the weekend, a setup Forest will be more than confident of replicating based on everything we've seen from them so far. 

Santo's men have recorded clean sheets in 42% of home matches, conceding two or more goals on only two occasions. The hosts have also performed well in attacking quarters, scoring in all but one of their home games. 

Add in the threadbare attacking options at the disposal of Mikel Arteta due to long-term injuries to forward players, then the home win all of a sudden looks an entirely realistic proposition.

Arsenal's confidence is on the floor, particularly following Liverpool's win at the reigning champions on Sunday. More dropped points will prove the final nail in the coffin of any feint title ambitions at the Emirates, piling pressure on the visitors ahead of kick-off here. 

Yet, despite all of the above, a Forest win still comes in at an incredibly wide 3/1. We can only assume the market is expecting the home side's poor results to continue, but there's more than enough juice in that for me to swing in the east Midlanders' favour.

Forest have only lost twice on home soil this season. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Selection #2 - Ryan Yates (Nottingham Forest) to be shown a card - 3/1

A late yellow card at Newcastle means the Forest captain has now been booked seven times this season, only two less than the five players who currently sit top of the yellow card column. 

Yates also prepares to face an Arsenal midfield expected to retain the bulk of possession in this one. The Gunners have averaged 56% so far this season, compared to Forest's 40%.

Breaking up play will be a key role for the Forest midfield, Yates included, in hope of frustrating the away side and present opportunities on the counter-attack. 

Given the Scottish midfielder's track record, dropping a tipple on him receiving another caution looks a worthy punt to me.

Brad Walker's best bets for Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal

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