Friday Night Football sees an interesting looking match up between Nottingham Forest and newly promoted Sheffield United. We’ve previewed this contest and given you our best suggested bets.
Nottingham Forest (9/10) enter this fixture off the back of an encouraging but ultimately unsuccessful opening fixture.
A late Taiwo Awiniyi consolation wasn’t enough to nick a point off one of the pre-season favourites for the title, Arsenal.
Ultimately though, it will be the games at home and against the lower sides in the division that will decide their second season fate in the top tier of English football.
Their opponents on Friday evening certainly qualify under both of those categories as Sheffield United (10/3) make the short trip down the M1 to the City Ground.
The Blades also lost their opening fixture by a solitary goal but that score line may have flattered them, as Crystal Palace had the majority of the possession and multiple chances to add to Odsonne Eduard’s opener.
Lose again in Nottingham and the fans may start fearing where any points are likely to come from, in what could become a long and arduous season.
Team news:
Forest gaffer Steve Cooper is still without the injured trio of Wayne Hennessey, Omar Richards and Felipe but could give a first season start to Awiniyi, after he netted from the bench at the Emirates.
Meanwhile Paul Heckingbottom has a lengthy injury list, with as many as seven players unavailable for selection. With this in mind, his options for rotation are hampered and he could be tempted to stick with the same starting XI.
Nottingham Forest to win and Both Teams to Score – 16/5
The last time these clubs faced off was in the Championship playoff semi-final, back in 2022 but a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then.
Forest have embarked on a huge spending spree and have a far greater depth to their squad than the Blades currently.
That strength should become evident in this game, although I do expect United to dent a shaky looking Tricky Trees back line at some point.
Taiwo Awoniyi to score anytime – 11/8
The big Nigerian frontman should receive a first start of the season here and he can reward Cooper for doing so.
The 26-year-old made a big move from Union Berlin last summer and scored some vital goals in keeping the Garibaldi in the Premier League.
In total, Awoniyi scored 11 goals across all competitions and he can trouble Sheffield’s defence here, in front of a raucous City Ground.
