Paul Merson has made his prediction for the Premier League match between Burnley and Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Barring a 12-goal swing between the Garibaldi and Luton Town this weekend, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side can play with confidence, knowing that Premier League football is practically assured for next season.
Paul Merson predicts a party atmosphere in the away end at Turf Moor as Nottingham Forest face Vincent Kompany’s Clarets on Sunday.
What Paul Merson Expects to Happen at Turf Moor
Interestingly, the 56-year-old came close to correctly predicting last week’s result against Chelsea, forecasting a 2-2 tie until Nicolas Jackson scored in the 82nd minute.
Merson has predicted another 2-2 draw.
The Sky Sports analyst wrote for Sportskeeda: “It’s all over for Luton Town unless they score against Fulham, so I believe this will be a nice, open game of football with nothing to play for. Both teams will want to finish on a strong note, and I feel for Burnley, who have been extremely unlucky in front of goal.
“The lack of a certified goalscorer has made all the difference for them, but for a team like Burnley, it’s extremely difficult to enter the market and sign a top-tier striker. 2-2.”
If this prediction is correct, the Reds will avoid loss against Burnley this season, after drawing the reverse encounter at the City Ground 1-1 in September.
Nottingham Forest could bid farewell to the quartet.
With survival all but assured, Nuno may use this game to send some players packing, according to the Telegraph, who reports that four are slated to depart this summer.
It is said that Felipe, Wayne Hennessey, Harry Arter and Cheikhou Kouyate will be allowed to depart when their contracts expire, so perhaps the Portuguese tactician will allow some of them a farewell appearance in Sunday’s dead rubber affair at Turf Moor.
Whatever happens, Nottingham Forest fans are surely feeling relieved not to be heading into this clash needing points to survive – that would not have made for a fun afternoon, to say the very least.
