Notts County vs Nottingham Forest predictions for this friendly pre-season game that will be played on Saturday morning. Forest make the short trip over across the River Trent for this clash at Meadow Lane. Read on for all our free betting tips and predictions.
[wptb id=394403]
Match Live Saturday, 15h July at 1:00 pm In:
Notts County vs Nottingham Forest Predictions
[wptb id=395321]
The River Trent Showdown: Nottingham Forest vs Notts County Pre-Season Analysis
Key Stats
– Nottingham Forest, despite struggling in away games, achieved commendable results against top-tier teams like Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea on home ground.
– Notts County’s Macauley Langstaff scored a record-breaking 42 goals in 45 National League appearances last season.
In the midst of their pre-season agendas, Nottingham Forest and Notts County are gearing up for an engaging encounter. Meadow Lane will play host to this highly anticipated game between the bitter rivals as they cross the River Trent for this pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon. Both teams carry contrasting ambitions for the upcoming season, with Forest aiming to solidify their standing in the Premier League, while County aspires to leave an impression in League Two after their promotion.
The Notts County Equation
Notts County launched their pre-season preparations convincingly with a 3-0 victory against the seventh-tier team Nuneaton Borough. However, this joy was short-lived as they tasted a severe 5-1 defeat against Stoke City last weekend, with Tyrese Campbell, the progeny of former Forest striker Kevin Campbell, contributing a hat-trick to the beating.
[wptb id=388698]
In spite of Wrexham’s dominating National League title run, County had a stellar 2022-23 season, collecting a staggering 107 points to land just four points shy of the title and a massive 23 points clear of Chesterfield in third. Under the tutelage of Luke Williams, County deservedly triumphed in the National League playoffs to secure a spot in League Two. Their confidence will be buoyed by their past season’s performance, but they are under no illusions about the challenge they face against their Premier League rivals.
Nottingham Forest’s Steep Climb
While County scaled heights last season, Nottingham Forest narrowly evaded relegation, finishing just four points outside the Premier League drop zone following a strenuous season. The team underwent an 11-game winless period from February to April, marred by three draws and eight losses and a concerning rate of goals conceded.
Yet, Steve Cooper, backed by club owner Evangelos Marinakis, successfully steered the team to safety with significant victories against Brighton & Hove Albion, Southampton, and Arsenal in the final six matches. Despite struggling on their travels last season, registering a solitary victory in 19 away league outings, Forest displayed their resilience with only five losses in their 19 home league matches, achieving positive results against the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea.
Squad Strength and Strategies
Notts County have swiftly reinforced their squad ahead of their Football League return, with veteran striker David McGoldrick and former Forest midfielder John Bostock joining the ranks. Macauley Langstaff, who netted a record-breaking 42 goals in 45 National League appearances last season, will be a pivotal figure in County’s attacking strategy.
On the other hand, Nottingham Forest are yet to sign any new faces this summer. However, the return of Omar Richards from injury will be a relief for Cooper, considering the potential lengthy absence of Harry Toffolo due to multiple alleged betting breaches. Despite long-term injury absentee Giulian Biancone remaining sidelined and key playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White expected to miss Saturday’s match, Forest’s strength lies in their resilience and ability to bounce back from difficult circumstances.
Let’s now discuss our predictions for the match, based on our analysis of the data and the current form of the two teams.
Prediction 1: Match Outcome (Draw)
Despite the obvious difference in the level of play between the two clubs, this game is predicted to be a draw. This forecast takes into account the performance and situation of both teams.
While Nottingham Forest are a Premier League club, their recent form and struggles, particularly when playing away, is hard to ignore. Their record of only one win in 19 away games last season is significant. This poor performance away from home is compounded by the fact that they are still in the process of strengthening their squad for the coming season, making their current line-up less competitive in addition to being just at the beginning of their preparation.
On the other hand, Notts County are coming from a highly successful season, having recorded a whopping 107 points and securing promotion from the National League. Their attacking prowess is underscored by their record-breaking striker Macauley Langstaff who netted 42 goals last season. Despite their recent thrashing by Stoke City, the Magpies’ confidence will not be easily shaken.
Given these factors, we predict a draw for this match, providing a balanced outcome that reflects the current strengths and challenges of both teams.
Prediction 2: Correct Score (2-2)
Following our analysis, a 2-2 scoreline seems a plausible outcome for the encounter. Notts County, even though playing in a lower league, have shown remarkable scoring ability, scoring 117 goals in the previous season, thanks in large part to Langstaff’s proficiency.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest, despite having struggled in the Premier League, managed to score 38 goals. Their goal-scoring ability, however, is marred by their problematic defence, conceding 68 goals, with an average of 1.8 goals per game.
A 2-2 scoreline prediction reflects both teams’ attacking strengths and defensive vulnerabilities. It also underlines the potential for a closely fought encounter given the stakes at play in this rivalry and the significant rotation that Forest are likely to do during the game.
Prediction 3: Goalscorer Prediction (Macauley Langstaff)
Given his exceptional performance last season, it’s hard to look beyond Macauley Langstaff as a potential goalscorer in this match. His record-breaking 42 goals in 45 appearances last season is testament to his goal-scoring ability and vital role in Notts County’s attack.
Nottingham Forest, on the other hand, conceded an average of 1.8 goals per game last season. This, coupled with Langstaff’s proficiency in front of goal, makes him a likely candidate to score during the match.
[wptb id=395321]
Top UK Bookies & Best Sign Up Offers
[wptb id=389092]
Subscribe To Our Newsletter For Exclusive Tips
Want to have exclusive tips from experts tipsters delivered right into your inbox? Subscribe Now To Our Newsletter. We will never spam, we fully respect your privacy!
