- The odds favor Nottingham Forest U21 at 28/25, compared to 91/50 on West Bromwich U21 and 3/1 on the draw.
- West Bromwich U21 are still seeking their first win in Premier League 2 - Division 1 2026/2027, with 1 draw and 1 defeat from 2 games.
- Forest U21 have won 4 and lost 1 of their last 5 in all competitions, starting their Premier League 2 - Division 1 2026/2027 campaign with 2 wins from 3 games.
Forest fancied to edge the match
West Bromwich U21 have been solid since Richard Beale took charge in October 2022, but the Baggies have failed to hit the heights in their last 5 games across all competitions (W1, D1, L3) and will be desperate for their first Premier League 2 - Division 1 2026/2027 win on Friday. They'll likely play fast and try to run over Nottingham Forest U21 in this game.
Nottingham Forest U21 have played 3 and won 2 of their opening 3 Premier League 2 - Division 1 2026/2027 games, beating Manchester City U21 2-1 and Burnley U21 1-0. The Reds have scored an average of 1.33 goals per game in this division, conceding 2.00 in the process and they'll need to step up the defensive solidity if they are to get anything from this game.
Forest can play in multiple shapes, switching from direct football to a structured build-up and their flexibility has helped them to keep opponents guessing in their opening games. The Reds edged the last head-to-head 1-0 in Premier League 2 2025/2026, meaning they already have the advantage in this encounter.
Jack Bray to make his mark
West Brom have scored seven goals in two games in Premier League 2 - Division 1 2026/2027, averaging 3.50 per game and they should make this a lively encounter. The Baggies' Jack Bray has scored five in their last five games and has five shots on target to his name. The match odds are a bit in favor of the Forest, but they're strong enough to side with at 91/50 here.
However, the Forest are the best play at the price given their fine form in the opening games of this season. Their flexible nature and solid start mean they are a worthy selection in the double chance market, while both teams to score & over 2.5 goals at 47/100 looks a decent play on the game result market.
