Premier League Preview: Nottingham Forest vs Wolves – Monday, January 6, 2025

An emotional homecoming awaits former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Nuno Espírito Santo as he leads his high-flying Nottingham Forest side to Molineux for a Premier League showdown on Monday night. With Forest chasing Champions League qualification and Wolves fighting to maintain form under new manager Vitor Pereira, the stage is set for an electrifying encounter in the West Midlands.

Wolves’ recent record against Nottingham Forest includes four consecutive draws, including a 1-1 stalemate at The City Ground in August. 

The Tricky Trees will be looking for their first league success over Wolves since January 2018, when Forest claimed a 2-0 victory at the Molineux in the EFL Championship.

Wolves Betting Preview 

There are many highlights over the course of the 2024-25 Premier League season but Wolves’ upturn under Vítor Pereira should not be overlooked. Indeed, the Wolves are showing signs of steady improvement under Vítor Pereira. Last weekend, they salvaged a dramatic 2-2 draw at Tottenham Hotspur, with Jorgen Strand Larsen’s stunning late equalizer keeping them above the relegation zone. However, their position remains precarious, as an Ipswich Town victory on Sunday could’ve dropped them back into the bottom three.

Nevertheless, Pereira has made an immediate impact, going unbeaten in his first three top-flight games – a feat unmatched at Wolves since 1977. 

The Old Gold have been prolific at Molineux, scoring two goals in four of their last five home games. Furthermore, Wolves have scored in all of their 10 home matches across all competitions this season. 

Wolves are dealing with a host of injuries, compounded by Matheus Cunha’s two-game suspension for an FA misconduct charge. First-team players Toti Gomes, Yerson Mosquera, Boubacar Traore, Pablo Sarabia, and Sasa Kalajdzic all remain sidelined, while Mario Lemina’s fitness and future are uncertain. 

Elsewhere, key midfielder Andre faces a late fitness test, while Jorgen Strand Larsen – the hero from the trip to North London last time out – is expected to lead the line in Cunha’s absence. The Norwegian striker will be a pivotal figure in Cunha’s absence.

Matheus Cunha bagged all three goals for Wolves in the two draws with Nottingham Forest last season (2-2 and 1-1). 

Nottingham Forest Betting Preview 

No matter what happens until the end, Forest’s surge toward Champions League dreams will be one of the stories of the season. 

Nottingham Forest continue to defy expectations this season. Fresh off a 2-0 triumph at Everton, courtesy of standout performances from Chris Wood and Morgan Gibbs-White, the Tricky Trees celebrated a remarkable fifth consecutive Premier League victory. This stellar run has propelled them to third in the table, with a Champions League berth still secure regardless of weekend results.

Last season, Nottingham Forest collected 36 points and ended the season with 32 (they were deducted four points). They barely avoided relegation during a turbulent campaign that saw Nuno Espirito Santo taking responsibility twelve months ago (last December) when the Portuguese manager succeeded Steve Cooper. 

Current progress means that Forest are in the midst of a five-game winning streak in the Premier League, keeping three clean sheets in a row. Even though they’re solid at home (5-2-2 record at The City Ground, which is the 8th best home record in the division), Nottingham Forest are even more impressive on the road. Forest boast the third best away record in the Premier League (6-2-2), only behind Liverpool and Chelsea.

Forest’s defensive resilience has been a cornerstone of their success, with three consecutive clean sheets in the league. They are also known for their rapid starts, having scored the opening goal in 15 of their 19 matches – a league-best record. Santo’s tactical acumen has revitalized the club, and he remains a strong contender for Premier League Manager of the Season honors.

The East Midlands outfit are bolstered by potential returns for Murillo, Ryan Yates and Callum Hudson-Odoi, while long-term absentees Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare remain out. 

Up front, Chris Wood – on the cusp of a unique club record – is expected to spearhead Forest’s with Morgan Gibbs-White in a supporting role. With 11 league goals this season, Wood could surpass Stan Collymore’s Premier League scoring record under a single Forest manager. The New Zealand forward already scored against Wolves earlier this season as he opened the scoring at The City Ground. 

Possible Starting Lineups of Wolves and Nottingham Forest 

• Wolverhampton Wanderers: Jose Sa – Matt Doherty, Hugo Bueno, Craig Dawson – Nelson Semedo, Andre, Joao Gomes, Rayan Aït-Nouri – Hwang Hee-Chan, Goncalo Guedes – Jorgen Strand Larsen. (3-4-2-1) 
• Nottingham Forest: Matz Sels – Ola Aina, Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo, Neco Williams – Ryan Yates, Elliot Anderson – Anthony Elanga, Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi – Chris Wood. (4-2-3-1) 

Spooky Express Betting Prediction 

As Forest aim for their sixth straight league win and Wolves look to extend their unbeaten run at the Molineux, all eyes will be on Santo’s return to his old stomping ground. Will the Tricky Trees keep their Champions League dreams alive, or can Wolves spring a surprise?

According to EveryGame’s latest betting odds on Monday morning, Nottingham Forest enter the match as slight favorites at +125, while Wolves are priced at +230. Meanwhile, the odds for a draw sit at +225, reflecting the recent history of close contests between these sides. 

With Nottingham Forest in red-hot form and Wolves enduring notable absences, betting markets suggest another tight affair, but the away side have the edge and we expect a hard-fought victory for Nuno Espírito Santo over his former club. Forest can nick a 1-0 win at Wolves, for example. 

Spooky Express Free Play: Nottingham Forest +125 at EveryGame for 5/10 Units