Premier League pundit Chris Sutton believes it is "a bit of a worry" that Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper called into question the "competitive edge" after last weekend's loss at Arsenal.
The Reds went behind inside the opening five minutes in the capital to a Gabriel Martinelli goal but recovered well and the deficit remained at just one at half-time. That didn't last for long, though, as substitute Reiss Nelson scored a three-minute brace before Thomas Partey added a fourth within five minutes and Martin Ødegaard completed the scoring 12 minutes from time.
After the match, Cooper claimed that his side "weren't competitive enough" and these are the quotes that Sutton has picked up on ahead of making his weekend predictions. The manner of defeat against the Premier League leaders has also seen the player-turned-pundit doubt whether Forest can make it back-to-back wins at the City Ground when Brentford arrive on Saturday afternoon.
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"Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper questioned his side's competitive edge after they were thumped by Arsenal last weekend," Sutton's predictions for the BBC begin. "That is a bit of a worry - surely part of his job is to make sure his players are properly motivated.
"Off the back of Forest beating Liverpool in their last game at the City Ground, I would have gone for another home win here, but after what happened against the Gunners, I am not so sure.
"Brentford have not won away in the Premier League all season, so that hardly makes me think they are going to take home three points either - it is a massive cop-out, but I am going for a draw." Sutton predicts a 1-1 score draw.
What is your prediction for the weekend? Have your say in the comments...
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