Ipswich Town v Nottingham Forest: Free Tips, Prediction and Odds

There's plenty at stake when third-placed Nottingham Forest take on third-bottom Ipswich Town in the Premier League at Portman Road on Saturday.

Forest returned to winning ways last Saturday when Callum Hudson-Odoi scored the only goal of the game to clinch a huge three points against top-four rivals Manchester City.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side next head to East Anglia for what could be a different type of test against relegation-battling Ipswich.

The Tractor Boys have been bogged down in the bottom three since late November and now only have 10 games to save themselves from an immediate bounce back to the Championship.

But they demonstrated how tough a challenge they can present when they took Forest to extra-time and penalties in the FA Cup last week.

Neither line-up was at full strength for that City Ground clash, however, and Nuno knows his strongest side have enough quality to get the job done.

Forest recorded a 1-0 home win over Town on the banks of the Trent in the league earlier this season.

Ipswich v Nottingham Forest Free Tips and Predictions

Nottingham Forest to win - 1/1

Forest have a tremendous record against promoted clubs in the last two seasons, winning seven and drawing three of their 10 games.

They have won the last six in a row and it is notable how much more productive they have become against such teams under Nuno.

Predecessor Steve Cooper oversaw one win and two draws against Sheffield United, Luton Town and Burnley during the 2023-24 campaign.

All of those games were at home while, after taking over in mid-December, the Portuguese coach led Forest to two wins and one draw against the same clubs on the road.

This season, the Reds have been perfect against promoted sides - picking up a maximum 12 points from the four fixtures, with eight goals netted and only three conceded.

Ipswich have struggled to pick up points in their first season back in the top-flight after a long absence, but their problems have been more pronounced against the top teams.

The Tractor Boys have taken only four points from their 10 previous matches against current top-seven clubs and they have suffered some heavy beatings along the way.

Under 2.5 goals - 10/11

Kieran McKenna may adopt similar tactics to the gameplan he deployed in the 1-0 reverse at Crystal Palace last Saturday in a bid to grind out a result.

Ipswich made it difficult for the Eagles by clogging up the midfield and stringing five across the back when out of possession and the idea worked up to a point.

Town were at least on a par with their hosts in terms of creating chances, albeit they suffered a similar sinking feeling when Ismaila Sarr scored a late winner.

Three of Ipswich’s last five games in all competitions have featured fewer than three goals and, with Forest’s last three games coming in at under 2.5 goals too, backing that looks like a solid option in goal markets.

Morgan Gibbs-White to assist a goal - 5/1

Morgan Gibbs-White created Forest’s goal against Man City last weekend with a wonderful crossfield pass that opened up the pitch and had the City Ground faithful purring.

The pass demonstrated Gibbs-White’s vision and ability to deliver under pressure when fatigued, qualities that will not have escaped Thomas Tuchel’s attention as he prepares to name his first England squad.

The former Wolves midfielder has assisted six goals in his last 14 Premier League appearances, a ratio of almost one every two games.

And his ability to deliver accurately from corners and wide free-kicks could be the key to him getting another against an Ipswich side who look vulnerable from set-pieces and crosses.

All three of the goals that McKenna’s men conceded in a recent 3-2 defeat at Manchester United came from dead-ball situations, while they were caught out again in the second phase from a free-kick against Forest in the cup.

Even worse was to come later in that game as Forest won four consecutive headers in Town’s box from a corner, leading to a Ryan Yates strike that was chalked off for offside.

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Ipswich Town v Nottingham Forest odds

Ipswich Town - 11/4
Draw - 23/10
Nottingham Forest - 1/1

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.