This Wednesday’s showdown between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal promises to be intriguing. The hosts, who spent the past two seasons battling relegation, sit third in the table and are on par to secure a Champions League berth. In contrast, Mikel Arteta’s title ambitions took a serious dent on Saturday when his team lost 1-0 to West Ham.
Forest have the chance to add to their misery, though they exposed their defensive flaws in Sunday’s 4-3 defeat to Newcastle. So, could this be the night they flip the script or will the odds be in the favour of the North Londoners?
Let’s look at the key betting markets, possible scoring outcomes and big-picture wagers.
Is form on Forest’s side?
Few would have predicted Forest rubbing shoulders with Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Newcastle, but Nuno Espírito Santo’s team have earned their place among the top six, using blistering counter-attacks and direct, incisive passing to catch opponents off guard. Chris Wood is in lethal goalscoring form, while goalkeeper Matz Sels has notched 10 clean sheets this season — just one behind Liverpool’s record of 11.
Arsenal have been their typical selves: dominant in the early phases and shaky when it matters most, evident in their performance. Injuries to Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli have forced Arteta to field midfielder Mikel Merino up front, but inconsistency remains his team’s Achilles’ heel. How else do you explain dismantling Manchester City 5-1 one week, then stumbling against a struggling West Ham side the next?
It doesn’t help that the club failed to secure appropriate reinforcements in the January transfer window — an oversight that frustrated fans.
Despite their sometimes questionable away form, the bookmakers have backed the visitors to take all three points on Wednesday. Indeed, when Forest are hosting, the head-to-head results are at four wins apiece in the last eight games across all competitions. Playing at the Emirates is a very different story (seven games, six wins, one loss).
For those willing to roll the dice, betting on a draw could be the smart play, especially considering the above.
Aside from Sunday’s 4-3 defeat to Newcastle, where they conceded four goals in 12 first-half minutes, Forest have looked defensively disciplined and frustrated opposing teams with a fiery out-of-possession press. This same approach earned them results at Anfield and Old Trafford.
Perhaps more importantly, this Forest side is buoyed by the fan’s support and backing from the board; they possess all the right tools to put a spanner in Arsenal’s hopes to claw their way out of Liverpool’s shadow. Betting a 1-1 draw, the most likely outcome according to the odds (13/2), could offer real value — especially with a draw and both teams to score at an enticing 4/1.
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Chris Wood or Leandro Trossard?
With both teams to score at even money (1/1) and over two goals favoured at 7/12 (compared to over 2.5 at 6/5), this clash has the hallmarks of a low-scoring affair and will likely be decided by a few quality moments.
If recent form is anything to go by, Wood could be the man to provide Forest with an attacking spark. The 33-year-old is enjoying a resurgence in form, sitting fourth in the Golden Boot race with 18 goals. His aerial presence and positional instinct make him a nightmare for defenders.
Flanking him, Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi bring additional pace and creativity that will hope to stretch the Gunners.
Can Arteta’s men find an unlikely scorer amidst their ranks? The odds still back Trossard (12/5 anytime, 6/1 first goalscorer) as their best chance to hit the net, with Martin Ødegaard (10/3), Merino (19/5) and Raheem Sterling (11/4) also in the mix.
Can Forest land a European spot?
It’s hard to imagine Liverpool surrendering their 11-point lead at the top of the table. While this fixture may not shake up the title race (Arsenal sit at 6/1 to lift the trophy, while Forest are a long shot at 200/1), it carries serious weight in the battle for European qualification.
The Gunners hold second place with 53 points, trailed by Forest with 47 and Manchester City and Newcastle with 44. If the Tricky Trees don’t capture all three points on Wednesday, and Man City and Newcastle go on winning sprees to end the season, Forest’s dream could unravel as quickly as it came together. If they want to stay in the conversation for a Champions League spot, they must prioritize consistency and eliminate costly mistakes, like the defensive lapse that led to Sunday’s defeat against Newcastle.
For Arsenal, the stakes are arguably higher. While Forest are a rising force, back-to-back losses would be a troubling look for a club that prides itself on quality and resilience. It would also intensify concerns over their depth and ability to handle pressure. Arteta’s side must prove they have the mental fortitude to navigate the season’s toughest stretch — especially with a handful of teams lurking in their rearview mirror.
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(Photo of Chris Wood: Getty Images / Jan Kruge)
