Everton vs Nottingham Forest – Five key battles and score prediction

Everton host Nottingham Forest at the Hill Dickinson Stadium as they look to build on their victory at Bournemouth on Tuesday night.

Manager David Moyes will be hoping for a much-improved home outing than last time out against Newcastle, as they suffered a 4-1 drubbing.

Jack Grealish’s late winner at the Vitality Stadium earned Everton a deserved three points and their first victory away at Bournemouth as they bounced back from that Newcastle game.

The Toffees are sitting in the top half (just) in tenth place.

Nottingham Forest are managed by ex-Everton boss Sean Dyche, of course, who was given the boot by the club in January. Dyche managed Everton through one of the most difficult times in their history, enduring turmoil on and off the pitch with points deductions and ownership chaos during his one-and-a-half-year spell.

Dyche has typically sparked a resurgence at the City Ground after a turbulent start to the season.

It was third time’s a charm for Evangelos Marinakis after sacking his two predecessors within the first eight weeks of the Premier League season.

Since Dyche’s appointment, they have won five matches, including four of their last five in all competitions.

He has pulled Nottingham Forest out of the relegation zone; three points clear of West Ham in 18th.

Last season, it was a tale of the away side when these sides met as Forest beat Dyche’s Everton at Goodison Park last December and Moyes’ side snatched a late winner at the City Ground in April.

The match promises to be a fascinating affair, and here Jon Shea gives his five key battles and score prediction.

Jack Grealish vs Nicolo Savona

Moyes called on Grealish to score more goals in his pre-Bournemouth press conference, and the Englishman answered with a late deflected strike, which ultimately settled the affairs on the South Coast.

A kiss of the badge, and a goal as he makes Evertonians fall in love with him all over again – even if he is only on loan. 

Grealish is still one of Everton’s biggest threats despite a quiet few weeks creativity-wise, but is still in the top five for chances created in the Premier League.

He has shown over the course of the season that he is a top player and a threat to any fullback.

Nicolo Savona is the man tasked with dealing with Grealish, and the Italian certainly enjoyed his last trip to Merseyside at the end of November, scoring in that 3-0 victory at Anfield.

From fullback, he has managed two goals from his fullback position, so far.

Everton have had a history of defenders scoring against them at home this season, and it is not something that Moyes would like to see repeated again.

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Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall vs Morgan Gibbs-White

Nominated for goal and player of the month for November – not a bad few weeks for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in an Everton shirt.

Every game, it looks like Dewsbury-Hall is getting more comfortable in the midfield.

He had to play slightly deeper against Bournemouth in midweek but still earned himself the player of the match with a hardworking display.

An excellent goal in Everton’s last home match against Newcastle, and it will be interesting to see where he plays on Saturday, as the suspension of Tim Iroegbunham means another reshuffle in a team already devoid of options.

Morgan Gibbs-White has struggled at times this season to reach the high standards he has set for himself at Forest and this has led to him falling out of favour with England.

Nevertheless, his quality is undeniable, and his passion is unrivalled at the club.

He is someone who can win the game for Forest, and Everton needs to keep an eye on him.

Jake O’Brien vs Igor Jesus

Igor Jesus finally got off the mark in the Premier League in the win at Wolves in midweek – a hoodoo that his opposite number Thierno Barry would love to get off his back sooner rather than later – but for the Brazilian, he can take his confidence into the match against Everton.

He was unfortunate not to have two on Wednesday; if it were not for a 50/50 offside decision, he may have had a dream night at Molineux.

Nevertheless, he will be full of confidence heading into his battle with Jake O’Brien.

Depending on whether Michael Keane is fit to play, Jake O’Brien may find himself at right-back again, but he was excellent in his natural centre-back position on Tuesday night. Headed everything that came his way and looked comfortable next to James Tarkowski.

Eventually, Jake O’Brien may end up playing centre-back permanently when Everton signs a right-back suitable for the position, but to his credit, he has stood up to every task that he has faced.

James Garner vs Elliot Anderson

You will struggle to find a player who has played more positions than James Garner this season. 

Garner has had spells at both fullback positions and in the eight, and has been terrific.

He had his latest trial at right-back against Bournemouth and looked very comfortable – of course, he has played there for the Under 21s.

With the suspension to Iroegbunham, the likelihood is that he will be put back into midfield, where he has gone up a level in his game.

He is looking much more confident in his ability and is showing himself to be a very tidy footballer.

It has been a great season for Elliot Anderson, becoming a favourite of England manager Thomas Tuchel and fans alike.

Despite a difficult season, he has been a shining light on the Trentside.

Despite his young age, he has shown the ability to dictate a football match, particularly for his country, and his quality on the ball makes him a difficult customer for Everton.

Thierno Barry vs Murillo

It will happen for Thierno Barry, but it just has not yet.

He is coming closer to breaking his duck, with a goal disallowed against Newcastle last week and a great save from Bournemouth goalkeeper Petrovic.

Barry’s performances are getting better, and he just needs to keep his head up, and hopefully, he will have some luck on his side.

Like Savona, Murillo will be hoping for similar luck that he had on his last trip to Merseyside, as it was he who scored the opener at Anfield.

Murillo has traditionally been an awkward defender to play against for any defender and has formed a partnership alongside Milenkovic.

Dyche has installed more defensive solidity in the Forest backline, which has nullified some of Murillo’s exciting abilities.

However, it has been a great couple of weeks for the Brazilian.

Score prediction

Everton 1-0 Nottingham Forest

Last time I did this, I was very confident of a win against Newcastle, which ultimately backfired. However, Everton’s lack of goals is a concern, but I think they will have just enough to get past Dyche’s Forest.

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