Stoke City vs Nottingham Forest
21st August 1500hrs
Football – England – EFL Championship
Pick 2-1 Home Win
Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 8/1 odds taken 1422 GMT, Friday 20 August
Michael O’Neill’s Stoke City and Chris Hughton’s Nottingham Forest go head-to-head at the bet365 Stadium in EFL Championship action on Saturday. These two have made contrasting starts to their seasons, as the Potters are joint top on seven points, while Forest have lost all three league games thus far. Will in-form Stoke pile more misery on Hughton & Co. this weekend? Check out the latest betting odds and top tips.
Table of Contents
Stoke City Preview – Will the Potters secure a third Championship win?
After a few mediocre campaigns since dropping down from the Premier League, Stoke City have been tipped to have a good season in the Championship this time around. Michael O’Neill’s men have started well, taking seven points from their opening three to sit joint top of the Championship table.
Stoke launched their season with a 3-2 win over Reading at the bet365 Stadium, which they swiftly followed up with a 2-1 home success over Fleetwood Town in the first round of the EFL Cup. City then drew 0-0 with Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.
Stoke were back to winning ways on Tuesday, seeing off Swansea City at the Swansea.com Stadium. The Potters fully deserved the points, with Nick Powell, Sam Clucas and Leo Skiri Ostigard netting in a 3-1 victory in South Wales. Stoke will be looking for another win on Saturday.
Nottingham Forest Preview – Can Forest avoid a fourth straight league loss?
All four Nottingham Forest games this season have finished 2-1. Unfortunately for Forest, three of those have been Championship defeats. However, they did beat Bradford City in the EFL Cup, setting up a second-round tie with Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Forest shipped two late goals to lose 2-1 at Coventry City on the opening weekend. They then lost by the same scoreline to Bournemouth on matchday two. Last Wednesday, the Reds were beaten 2-1 again – this time Blackburn Rovers edged past them at the City Ground.
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Nottingham Forest are one of just two teams yet to pick up a Championship point this season. Hughton’s boys will be desperate to put things right on Saturday, but this will be another stern test for the East Midlands outfit. Forest are the underdogs at 16/5.
Stoke City vs Nottingham Forest Betting Advice
Last season, both matches between Stoke and Nottingham Forest ended in 1-1 draws. The season before, there were ten goals scored across the two meetings, with Forest winning 3-2 at the bet365, and the Potters returning the compliment with a 4-1 victory at the City Ground.
Key Facts – Stoke City vs Nottingham Forest Betting Tip
- Nottingham Forest are pointless from three games
- Stoke are joint top, taking seven points from a possible nine
- Forest have won just one of their last six against the Potters
Nottingham Forest are not in crisis just yet, but a fourth defeat in a row on Saturday would equal last season’s start, which saw Sabri Lamouchi lose his job. In contrast, Stoke have made their best start since dropping back into the second tier. Unfortunately for Forest, we fancy a home win here. The 2-1 Stoke victory is priced at 8/1.
Despite their poor start, Nottingham Forest have managed to score in all four of their league and cup games so far this season. With that in mind, it could be worth backing the Stoke win and both teams to score at the top odds of 15/4.
The best betting odds for Stoke City vs Nottingham Forest
Stoke City to win: 10/11 at Bet365
Draw: 12/5 at Bet365
Nottingham Forest to win: 16/5 at Bet365
