Arsenal are flying high and can't accept a misstep as they travel to face underachieving Nottingham Forest.
The Gunners are six points clear at the top of the table and are the big favourites for the English league title.
On the other hand, Forest sit 17th and lost four games in a row before their 2-1 triumph over West Ham last time out.
Arsenal will look to win this game at any cost, and I'm backing them to succeed.
Here are my Nottingham Forest vs. Arsenal predictions and free betting picks for January 17.
Premier League predictions for Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal
My Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal best bet: Arsenal to win (-185 at Sports Interaction)
Nottingham Forest have lost eight of their last ten Premier League games against Arsenal. The two exceptions have come at the City Ground since their return to the division in 2022 (1-0 in May 2023, 0-0 in February 2025).
Arsenal have shown force against Forest as of late. They kept a clean sheet in each of their last three Premier League games against the Nottingham side.
Only West Ham and Wolves (both eight) have lost more Premier League home games this season than Nottingham Forest's six. It's Forest's joint-most defeats in their opening ten home matches of a league campaign.
Last season, they lost five times at home over the whole campaign. They have already conceded more home goals (17) than in the 2024-25 season (16).
I believe this strong Arsenal side will deliver again and leave Forest behind on Saturday afternoon.
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal same-game parlay (SGP)
Arsenal to win
Bukayo Saka 2+ shots on target
Total cards Over 3.5
Total corners Over 9.5
No player has been directly involved in more shots following a ball carry in the Premier League this season than Arsenal's Bukayo Saka (33 – 19 shots, 14 chances created).
I'm counting on him to make himself visible again. He sent at least two shots on target in six of the matches he featured in this season.
Arsenal averages 5.62 corners per game, while Forest averages 5.43. I think the Over 9.5 is well within reach in this clash.
And to round up a juicy +1,600 return for my SGP, I'm spicing it up with cards.
Both sides average around 1.5 cards per game, while referee Michael Over has shown the yellow card 43 times in the 16 matches he has officiated this season.
I believe Forest will surpass their average, trying to stop Arsenal and their in-form players.
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal odds
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal live odds
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal opening odds
- Moneyline: Nottingham Forest +525 | Arsenal -185
- Draw: +310
- Over/Under: Over 2.5 (-120) | Under 2.5 (+100)
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal
| Location | The City Ground, Nottingham, England |
| Date | Saturday, January 17, 2026 |
| Time | 12:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBC |
| Weather | Partly Cloudy |
 Recent EPL form |
L-W-L-L-L |
 Recent EPL form |
W-D-W-W-W |
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal key injuries
Nottingham Forest: John Victor GK (Out), Oleksandr Zinchenko LB (Out), Ryan Yates CM (Out), Chris Wood ST (Out).
Arsenal: Riccardo Calafiori CB (Out), Piero Hincapie CB (Questionable), Cristhian Mosquera CB (Out), Max Dowman FW (Out).
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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