Nottingham Forest vs Wolves Prediction and Betting Tips: Chris Wood to open the scoring at The City Ground

After a loss at Tottenham last weekend, Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo hosts another one of his former teams when Wolves visit the City Ground.

Forest head into this weekend’s action outside of the bottom three on goal difference alone, with Luton making a late push for safety. 

Wolves have yet to lose any of the four meetings between these two sides since Forest returned to the Premier League. They shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw back in December, but Gary O’Neil has seen his side hit by some significant injuries of late.

Pedro Neto and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde have been ruled out here alongside Hwang Hee-Chan, while Rayan Ait-Nouri is a doubt.

As for the hosts, their home form was vital last season but this time around they’ve dropped points in crucial games. Forest have more wins against the top seven (3) than against the rest of the division (2) at the City Ground.

However, the run-in does tend to focus minds and Forest were able to take maximum points from their final three home games last term.

Nuno will be hoping he can lead Forest to a strong finish, starting against his injury-hit former side.

Wolves have lost three of their last four games ahead of Saturday’s clash, starting with a dispiriting FA Cup exit to Coventry.

That loss cost Wolves a visit to Wembley to top off a successful campaign. With injuries mounting and safety assured, O’Neil’s side may lack the intensity needed for a strong finish.

Forest are in must-win territory, especially with their final two home games against Man City and Chelsea. The hosts have beaten West Ham and Fulham in their last four at home, losing only to Liverpool in that stretch. 

Wolves have a patchy away record which has seen them lose at Sheffield United, Crystal Palace and Fulham. The visitors have scored in each of those defeats, while they’ve netted in every visit to teams below them in the table.

Forest have conceded in all but two of their 15 home games, so they are unlikely to keep a clean sheet. However, they can rally and see off Wolves, so back them to win and concede at 3/1.

Chris Wood looks vital to Forest’s survival hopes, with the forward scoring 12 times in 25 appearances.

The New Zealand international was largely coming off the bench until Nuno arrived, but he’s scored 10 goals in 13 starts under the new boss.

Wood has struck in four consecutive games ahead of this Wolves clash and he can step up with an early strike in this one. 

Wolves have lost by a single goal on five occasions away from home this term and they look good to get on the scoresheet.

Forest have scored exactly twice in four of their five home wins this term, so back Wood to strike first in a 2-1 victory at 20/1.