Nottingham Forest vs Everton Bet Builder Tips: 6/1 #PickYourPunt for City Ground clash

It’s only the beginning of December but we may have a genuine ‘six-pointer’ here courtesy of Everton’s 10-point deduction, as the Toffees face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday evening (17:30).

It remains to be seen whether Sean Dyche’s side are handed any points back but, for now, they trail the hosts by nine points in the Premier League.

Using Betfred’s #PickYourPunt feature, we have picked out a 6/1 treble for Sky Sports’ spotlight fixture of the day.

Nottingham Forest or draw

Let’s start off by addressing the elephant in the room – yes, Everton have been terrific on their travels this season. In eight games spanning two competitions they have won five, drawn one, and lost two. Their defeats came at Liverpool and Aston Villa, whom they later beat at the same venue in the Carabao Cup. They’ve won their last two away, against Crystal Palace and West Ham.

But, at the same time, Nottingham Forest boast a solid home record. Steve Cooper’s side have lost just once in front of their own supporters in the Premier League, last weekend’s dramatic 3-2 defeat to Brighton. They were impressive there last season, too, picking up 30 of their 38 points at home.

I’m tempted by a Forest win, but given they have drawn half (3/6) of their league games at home, coupled with Everton’s impressive away record, the double chance bet adds a degree of insurance.

Moussa Niakhate carded

The Senegal international has already picked up four yellows cards this term, despite playing just eight times. Two of those came inside the first hour of a 1-1 draw with Brentford on October 1, which saw him dismissed. Niakhate has been cautioned on each of his last two appearances – against Brighton and West Ham – and he could be in for a tough evening against a physical Everton side.

This suggestion gains even more credibility if Dominic Calvert-Lewin plays, in my opinion. The striker is facing a late fitness test coming into this one but if he does make it, expect him to roughen up the Forest defence with his physical presence. He can also run beyond defenders, so the 26-year-old is a two-way threat.

Regardless, I think Everton will put Forest under pressure for spells, and in a game between two sides lower down the table, I think tensions could spill over. Niakhate looks one of the likeliest on the home side to draw the ire of the referee.

Anthony Elanga 2+ shots

Given Marcus Rashford’s travails this season, Manchester United fans would be forgiven for thinking that they’d sold the wrong academy graduate in the summer. The England international has just two goals to his name this season while his former teammate, Elanga, is on three, having scored in his last two.

The 21-year-old Swede will make his sixth consecutive start on Saturday, and he seems to be benefitting from an extended run in the team afforded to him by injuries to the likes of Taiwo Awoniyi, Divock Origi and Callum Hudson-Odoi. Origi and Hudson-Odoi made their returns off the bench last week but they’re certainly behind Morgan Gibbs-White and Elanga in the pecking order, for now at least.

Therefore, I expect Elanga to play the majority of the game against Everton, and he should be spurred on by his recent goalscoring exploits. In 13 league appearances he has taken 18 shots and recorded 2+ in five of them. Forest should be on the front-foot at home to the Toffees, and that should afford Elanga some opportunities to test Jordan Pickford in goal.

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