Paul Merson has predicted the score when Nottingham Forest face Sunderland this weekend

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Nottingham Forest play host to Sunderland in the Premier League this weekend.

There’s little rest for Ange Postecoglou’s side, as they’re back in action just three days after a taxing Europa League game against Real Betis.

Nottingham Forest are coming up against a Sunderland outfit who aren’t a typical newly-promoted side from the Championship.

The Black Cats spent in excess of £150m in the summer, bringing in some high-profile players like Granit Xhaka and Habib Diarra.

They currently sit in seventh place, so it’ll be a tough game for Forest and with that said, Paul Merson has just predicted the score.

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Paul Merson makes Nottingham Forest vs Sunderland prediction

Writing in his Sportskeeda column, Paul Merson thought Forest should’ve won against Real Betis on Wednesday.

“Nottingham Forest were bang unlucky in the Europa League, they should have won that game quite comfortably. It will be interesting to see if that late draw against Real Betis will have an impact on them this weekend.”

Merson reckons Sunderland will try to replicate what West Ham United did to them just before the international break.

“The last time Forest played at the City Ground, West Ham sat back and rode their luck before scoring three late goals to win 3-0. Sunderland will take inspiration from that game.

“Igor Jesus has been on fire. He has scored four goals in the last three games. Maybe Ange Postecoglou prefers him because of the mobility he provides up front compared to Chris Wood. As long as he keeps scoring goals, Postecoglou has every right to play him. I would personally pick Wood for this game though. He’s more of a focal point and could be useful against Sunderland.

“Even though I think Sunderland are a team that can shock anyone on their day, I’m going to go with home advantage making the difference here.”

Merson predicted Forest to beat Sunderland 1-0.

Nottingham Forest recent meetings vs Sunderland

Nottingham Forest haven’t played Sunderland since the 2017/18 Championship season, and they actually lost the last meeting 1-0.

They won the reverse fixture that year by the same scoreline, with Daryl Murphy netting a late winner at the Stadium of Light.

Forest’s recent record against the Black Cats is really poor, as they’ve suffered four defeats in their last five meetings.

But they’ll be the favourites in this one, especially in front of their own supporters.