Forest vs Arsenal predictions: Gunners aim to keep title dream alive
- Nottingham Forest have scored the most home goals of any team in the bottom half
- Arsenal have the best away record in the Premier League
- Recommended bet: Back Arsenal to win and Over 2.5 Goals
Arsenal's title hopes were left hanging by a thread after their 3-0 loss at home to Brighton last Sunday but they will be hoping to stay in the race for at least one more day by defeating Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Mikel Arteta's side were impressive 2-0 winners at Newcastle on their last away day, although they have unhappy memories of their most recent trip to Nottingham, having experienced a 1-0 defeat in last season's FA Cup third round.
Forest are trying to scrape together enough points to seal Premier League survival.
Steve Cooper's outfit drew 2-2 at Chelsea last weekend, leaving themselves three points above the relegation zone.
Team news
Nottingham Forest carry one of the biggest squads in the top flight, which is just as well considering their injury list.
Emmanuel Dennis has returned to training but their eight-man absentee list features Giulian Biancone (knee), Jonjo Shelvey, Omar Richards (both calf), Dean Henderson, Chris Wood (both thigh), Neco Williams (jaw), Scott McKenna (shoulder) and Jack Colback (head).
Arsenal must cope without Gabriel Martinelli (ankle), who has joined William Saliba (back), Takehiro Tomiyasu, Mohamed Elneny (both knee) and Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf) on the injured list.
The stats
Nottingham Forest have collected 27 of their 34 points on home soil and their home record is the best among the bottom six clubs.
They have won their last two home matches, scoring seven goals in the process.
Forest have scored 26 home goals, which is the highest number among clubs in the bottom half.
Arsenal are looking to further strengthen the best away record in the division.
They have collected 39 points on their travels which is three more than Manchester City.
Nine of Arsenal's 12 away league wins have been by at least two goals, although the Gunners have triumphed just once in their last four away games.
The Londoners' defensive record (42 goals conceded) is the poorest among the top four, while they have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine league fixtures.
Prediction
Arsenal have not experienced back-to-back Premier League defeats all season and they can respond to last weekend's shock loss to Brighton by registering their 13th away league win of the season.
Arteta's side are almost certain to finish second but they have made huge progress and approach the 37th game on 81 points, 15 more than their tally at the same stage of last season.
The Londoners are no longer a soft touch on their travels and have the offensive quality to expose a suspect Nottingham Forest defence.
Forest have shipped 67 league goals and have conceded two goals or more in seven of their last eight fixtures.
The Tricky Trees routinely play with a low defensive block with the aim of frustrating their opponents, but they seem to suffer from far too many lapses in concentration.
They got away with some poor defending when defeating Southampton 4-3 in their last home game, but are far more likely to be punished by the Gunners, who will be determined to finish the season as strongly as possible.
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