Leicester vs Nottingham Forest predictions: East Midlands derby to end all square

- Forest are eighth with 13 points from eight games
- Leicester are 14th with nine points
- Recommended bet: Draw

East Midlands rivals Leicester and Nottingham Forest have made solid starts to the season and instead of an expected relegation scrap for them both they are beginning to look higher up the table.

It remains early days, of course, but eighth-placed Forest have already managed an impressive three wins and four draws so far under Nuno Espirito Santo, while the Foxes, who have former Forest boss Steve Cooper in charge, have accrued nine points.

Both sides will approach Friday's clash with optimism on the back of victories – Forest edging out Palace 1-0 on Monday, while City staged a fine comeback to beat Southampton 3-2 away after being 2-0 down on the south coast.

Team news

There is a real clamour for Foxes boss Cooper to start winger Abdul Fatawu after he impressed off the bench against Southampton.

Harry Winks is another pushing for a recall in midfield, but Hamza Choudhury and Patson Daka remain out injured for the hosts.

Forest trio Danilo, Morgan Gibbs-White and Ibrahim Sangare are all ruled out for the short trip to the King Power Stadium.

The stats

Leicester have scored in all eight of their Premier League games, Forest have only failed to find the back of the net in one of their eight outings so far.

Forest are unbeaten in their four away games in the league, winning two and drawing two.

The last time these two were in the Premier League in the 2022-23 season, Leicester won their home game 4-0, but Forest triumphed 2-0 in the return clash at the City Ground.

In-form Forest striker Chris Wood has scored five league goals – only Bryan Mbeumo, Cole Palmer and Erling Haaland have netted more than the New Zealand international this season.

Prediction

Considering their solid starts, both managers may well be satisfied with a draw from this East Midlands scuffle and another point on the board will be welcome in the respective camps as they aim to stay well clear of the relegation zone.

Forest have already demonstrated how difficult they are to beat away from home, memorably winning at leaders Liverpool, while they have also beaten Southampton away and drawn at Chelsea and Brighton.

Therefore, Nuno's men should be confident of avoiding defeat at the King Power too.

The Foxes have won their last two games, seeing off Bournemouth 1-0 at home before their superb comeback win over Saints and, even though this looks a slightly harder task against a well-organised opponent, they look set to extend their unbeaten run when Forest visit.

Back a draw at 43/20 with LiveScore Bet.

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