Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
2023/24 English Premier League
Matchday 34
Everton v Nottingham Forest
Goodison Park
Liverpool, England
Sunday, 21 April 2024
Kick-off is at 14h30
Everton and Nottingham Forest will be scrapping for maximum points when they lock horns at Goodison Park on Sunday, April 21 in the early kick-off.
Both teams are fighting for their lives at the wrong end of the table after being docked points for breaching the
Premier League's profit and sustainability rules.
The Toffees (16th) find themselves just two points clear of the relegation zone ahead of their clash with Chelsea on April 15, having claimed a vital 1-0 victory over fellow strugglers Burnley on Merseyside nine days earlier which arrested a 13-match winless run.
Forest trail them by one point in 17th position after holding Wolves to a 2-2 draw at the City Ground on April 13, although it left Nuno Espirito Santo's side with just two wins from their last 10 outings.
The Tricky Trees have lost just one of their last five games though, picking up six points out of a possible 15 during that run.
Luton's survival hopes took a huge knock following a 5-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on April 13 which meant they remained a point adrift of safety in 18th spot.
Crystal Palace (14th) and Brentford (15th) both won on matchday 33 to give themselves some breathing space to the bottom three.
Image copyright: Getty Images
In team news, Dele Alli (groin) is the only confirmed absentee for the hosts, with Lewis Dobbin, Arnaut Danjuma (both ankle) and James Garner (knock) on the verge of making their comebacks. Taiwo Awoniyi and Willy Boly remain unavailable for the visitors, but Anthony Elanga could come back into contention.
Everton manager Sean Dyche has urged everyone to pull together as they look to build on their recent results against Newcastle (1-1) and the Clarets.
"Front-foot thinking, front-foot mentality as we call it, that is an important factor," Dyche said. "We changed the recent story after a tough run of results with a win, an important win especially looking at the news that came next.
"We have got to build on that. The time for fault and blame is gone. Let's all pull together and get it done. The rise of the Toffees is important for us. We have got to play our part, make no mistake."
Nuno felt Forest gifted Wolves two soft goals and acknowledges the fight for Premier League survival will go down to the wire given results elsewhere.
"Tough game. The first half was no tempo, very slow. Not good for us. We wanted energy. We've conceded two easy goals, that's our biggest problem. It's a tough moment for us because we needed this," the Portuguese said.
"We tried to press Wolves. We tried to win it. Not always was possible. We needed this game, this urgency on points, and we could not achieve it.
"The first goal is too easy - we allowed him to turn. We shouldn't do that. And the second goal we should have done better. It's going to be a fight to the end."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Everton wins - 2
Forest wins - 1
Draws - 2
Premier League Matchday 34 fixtures:
Saturday, April 20
16h00: Luton Town v Brentford
16h00: Sheffield United v Burnley
20h30: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Arsenal
Sunday, April 21
14h30: Everton v Nottingham Forest
16h00: Aston Villa v Bournemouth
16h00: Crystal Palace v West Ham United
17h30: Fulham v Liverpool
Bet on the Premier League with Betway
Start your sport beting journey with Betway Malawi and enjoy solid action and heart-racing thrills when you bet on soccer leagues such as the Spanish La Liga, the English Premier League, the Italian Serie A and many more.
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions download the Betway App and start playing on the go!