The Cherrys return to their home turf, the Vitality Stadium, seeking their sixth home win of the season as they take on high-flying Nottingham Forest on Saturday, 25th January 2025. Africa Football editor Bill Eshun looks into the upcoming Premier League match and provides his prediction.
Key Facts
- Bournemouth defeated Newcastle United 4-1 in their last outing.
- Nottingham last lost a Premier League game in December.
After a stellar performance against Newcastle, which featured four goals for the away side and a hat-trick for Patrick Kluivert, Bournemouth are brimming with confidence.
This confidence is further boosted by the fact that the Cherries are within touching distance of securing a European place. They currently sit seventh in the table, just three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
However, they face Nottingham Forest, who have been the surprise package of the season. Forest are currently third in the league, six points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
Semenyo Continues to Shine
Antoine Semenyo recorded an assist against Newcastle, delivering a precise cutback to eventual hat-trick hero Kluivert. The Ghanaian has been one of Bournemouth’s standout players since the start of the campaign.
He is currently second in the team for goal contributions (six goals, three assists), just behind Kluivert, and is only two goals away from matching his goal tally from last season.
Nottingham will undoubtedly be a tough opponent, but given Semenyo’s current form, he has a strong chance of making a significant impact in this match.
The Odds
Bournemouth’s chances of winning are currently priced at 2.12 according to 1xBet, while Nottingham’s odds stand at 3.52. A draw is priced at 3.71.
Prediction
Both teams are in excellent form heading into this encounter, making it difficult to separate them. A draw seems the most likely outcome.
Scoreline: Bournemouth 2-2 Nottingham Forest
