One goal could be enough: Stoke v Nottm Forest
Stoke’s massive under achievement this season has caught many by surprise, but the Championship takes no prisoners as Nottingham Forest fans know only too well. Can the Potters get their first win of the season when the two sides meet on Friday night? Have a read of our preview here:
Nathan Jones under pressure
The former-Luton boss has not had the impact many would have expected since taking over at Stoke City. He had the Hatters playing some of the best football they’d seen in years and his 4-4-2 diamond formation was proving to be a massive success.
It was always going to be hard to replicate that effort at Stoke in a short space of time but patience is running thin amongst some of the fanbase. The Welshman has brought in some good player over the summer yet they are yet to win a game in the league and have shipped 17 goals in just eight games.
In attack, things are not much better. Luton were known for their high-scoring, intensive displays but Stoke have been listless and have managed less than a goal per game so far.
Some would argue that Jones needs more time to bring in the kind of characters that the Potters clearly lack but with the team entrenched in the relegation zone, it could already be too late for a man who was seen as the saviour only a few short months ago.
Can Forest compete this season?
Sabri Lamouchi has made the perfect start to life as Forest manager. Unbeaten since the first day of the season, the side who once won back-to-back European Cups, currently sit in the play-off places. The season is still in its early throws, but this is a superb start in a division full of sides that will be expecting to challenge for promotion.
Forest last played in the English top division in 1999 and have are now in their 11th consecutive season in the second tier. Football has changed a lot since their glory days but the fans can be genuinely excited about what they have done so far this campaign.
In Joe Lolley, they have one of the best creative midfielders in the Championship and in Lewis Grabban you feel they have a striker who could easily net 20 goals with the right service. Time will tell whether this is their season or not, but it’s a great start.
Stoke v Nottingham Forest betting tip
With Stoke lacking goals and Forest pretty sharp at the back, this could be a game that sees the first goal take all three points. With that in mind, backing this one to finish with under 2.5 goals at odds of 5/6 is a sensible choice here.
Post bet chat James's Tips:
Stoke will have been gutted to play so well and lose but neither defence covered themselves in glory - shipping a combined five goals and ruining this selection in the process.