Pundits disagree over Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth…

Pundits disagree over Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth prediction as relegation point made

Nottingham Forest will be back in Premier League action when they make the trip to the south coast to take on Bournemouth on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Steve Cooper's side will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to four league games after a 2-0 win over Leicester City, last time out. The Cherries, meanwhile, are just a point above the relegation zone, being winless in their last four games.

Speaking ahead of the clash, pundits Chris Sutton, Mark Lawrenson and Paul Merson have delivered their predictions. They made the point that the Cherries' confidence will be 'rock bottom' after enduring a difficult season thus far which could see Forest taking advantage of that, given their form of late.

Here is what the pundits have said...

Sutton said : "Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil has lost all six games since being appointed on a permanent basis, including four league defeats where the Cherries have not even scored.

"Their confidence must be rock bottom, whereas Nottingham Forest must be feeling completely the opposite - they come into this game on a real high after climbing away from the bottom three. Forest keep strengthening their squad, signing Brazilian duo Danilo and Gustavo Scarpa this month, and it looks like Newcastle striker Chris Wood is also on his way soon.

"Steve Cooper's side have only won one away league game all season, against Southampton at the start of January, but I am backing them to get a repeat result on their return to the south coast."

Sutton prediction: Bournemouth 0-1 Nottingham Forest.

Lawrenson added: "Bournemouth are sinking like a stone after giving Gary O’Neil the job on a permanent basis. Nottingham Forest are on a good run at the moment and they’ve had some very handy results. It looks as though they’ve found their best team so I think they’ll have enough here."

Lawrenson prediction: Bournemouth 0-1 Nottingham Forest.

Meanwhile Merson predicted the game to be a turning point for the Cherries, predicting a narrow 1-0 win. "All the games in the relegation zone are massive. Bournemouth have lost six games on the trot and they're going to be under pressure," he said.

"They have difficult fixtures after this one and if they don't win, they'll be adrift. If they can win this game, it buys them a couple of other games. Nottingham Forest have done well for themselves, and they're in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.

"If they get a result here, it takes Bournemouth out of the equation. This is a cup final for Bournemouth, and I think they'll win this match."

Pundits disagree over Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth prediction as relegation point made

What is your prediction vs Bournemouth? Let us know in the comments section...