Two newly-promoted clubs go head-to-head this Friday night as Nottingham Forest host Fulham at the City Ground.
Before the start of the new Premier League season, both clubs were touted as leading relegation contenders.
Nottingham Forest have since fed that narrative following a poor start to the season. Fulham, on the other hand, have gone in the opposite direction by exceeding expectations.
The Lilywhites have picked up eight points from their opening six games and currently sit 10thin the Premier League standings.
While their consistency has come under scrutiny, Fulham have undoubtedly raised many eyebrows after losing just two games this season – both against heavyweight opposition in Tottenham and Arsenal.
Marco Silva’s men will now be targeting their first away victory of the season as they travel to a Forest side which could only envy their solid start.
Forest marked their first season back in the Premier League since 1998/99 by winning just one of their opening six matches.
To make matters worse, Steve Cooper’s side are currently on a run of three straight defeats – against Tottenham, Manchester City and Bournemouth – and currently sit 19thin the table.
Forest spent £145million on 21 new arrivals during the summer transfer window, and the side are yet to find their groove following the major overhaul of talent.
Cooper’s men seemed on course for their second league win of the season after taking a 2-0 lead against Bournemouth two weeks ago.
However, instead of securing all three points against a fellow newly-promoted side, Forest capitulated in the second half and conceded three goals to lose 3-2.
Nottingham have already conceded 14 goals this season and the visit of Aleksandar Mitrovic won’t make life any easier.
The Serb has enjoyed a thrilling start to the season having already scored six goals. In fact, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland is the only player to have scored more with 10.
Mitrovic has found the back of the net in four successive games and remains Fulham’s most potent goalscoring threat.
With that in mind, Friday’s best bet is for Mitrovic to score and Fulham to win.
Key stats
– Only two teams have conceded more goals this season than Forest
– Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored six goals in six games
– Mitrovic has scored three goals in his last four games vs Forest
– Fulham have won their last three games at the City Ground
– Fulham’s last defeat away vs Forest came in December, 2015
