Nottingham Forest FC vs Sunderland, English Premier League 2025-26, Today Match Prediction

Nottingham Forest FC vs Sunderland Match Prediction & Analysis

Nottingham Forest welcome Sunderland to the City Ground in round six of the Premier League this Saturday, looking to spark new momentum in their campaign. Both sides head into the clash on the back of 1-1 draws—Forest against Burnley, while Sunderland showed great character to fight back for a point against Aston Villa.

For Forest though, the clash carries greater weight as their underwhelming start leaves them in need of a statement performance to get their season moving in the right direction.

Current Standings: At this point of time, Sunderland sit comfortably in 7th place with 8 points, while Forest find themselves stuck in 15th with just 5 points, adding extra pressure on the hosts to turn things around.

Head-to-Head Record: There isn’t much Premier League history between the sides, but Forest hold the edge with one win, while the other meeting ended in a draw. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Nottingham Forest FC Preview

Nottingham Forest’s struggles rolled on last week as they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with newly promoted Burnley, despite Neco Williams giving them a dream start with a goal inside just two minutes. Still, there were clear glimpses of Ange Postecoglou’s attacking blueprint taking shape, with Forest dominating possession at 63% and testing the keeper eight times. 

Oleksandr Zinchenko’s shift into an inverted No. 8 showed Postecoglou’s clear tactical influence, similar to how he once used Destiny Udogie at Spurs. Forest are clearly showing progress, but more than anything, they would want some wins under their belts to ignite theri campaign. 

Stats that matter 

1. The 63% possession against Burnley was the best that Forest achieved in the league since their return in 2022.
2. Nottingham Forest have lost four of their last six league home games (W1 D1).
3. 80% of Forest's goals in this season have come in the first half.
4. Elliot Anderson has made the second highest number of line breaking passes this season (7). 

Team News 

Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou will have to cope without Nicolás Domínguez and Ola Aina due to injury, but he’s still likely to stick with his preferred 4-2-3-1 setup.

Nottingham Forest  Probable XI - Sels (GK); Zinchenko, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams (Defenders); Douglas Luiz, Elliott Anderson, Gibbs-White (Midfielders);  Bakwa, Dan Ndoye, Chris Wood (Forwards).

Sunderland Preview

Regis Le Bris’ men continued their strong return to the Premier League in matchweek 5 against Aston Villa, delivering perhaps their best performance yet. Down to 10 men after Reinildo Mandava’s early red card in the 33rd minute. 

The Black Cats showed real resilience, coming back from a 1-0 deficit to equalize through Wilson Isidor and secure a hard-fought point. Having been unbeaten at home so far, Le Bris and his side now face the test of replicating that form on the road—and there’s no tougher challenge than taking on Nottingham away.

Stats that matter 

1. The Black Cats are off to their best start in over a decade, with only the 2009-10 season seeing them earn more points from the opening five games.
2. Sunderland are one of the two sides in the league yet to score a goal in the first half of this season.
3. Wilson Isidor has been in fine form, netting three of Sunderland’s six goals—more than any Black Cats player in the first five games of a Premier League season.

Team News 

Le Bris faces injury headaches, with long-term absentees Romaine Mundle and Leo Hjelde still sidelined, and Dennis Cirkin unavailable. Despite this, he’s likely to stick with the same XI minus Mandava in a 4-3-3 formation for the clash.

Sunderland Probable XI - Roefs (GK); Hume, Mukele, Alderete, Arthur Masuaku (Defenders); C. Rigg, Xhaka, Sadiki (Midfielders); Talbi, Le Fee, W.Isidor (Forwards). 

NOTTINGHAM FOREST FC vs SUNDERLAND
Winning Prediction

The upcoming clash between Nottingham Forest and Sunderland will be their first Premier League meeting since a stalemate in 1997, with a 2024 friendly also ending in a draw. Forest are desperate for points, having lost four of their last six home games, and Sunderland will look to exploit their struggles. Still, Nuno Espírito Santo’s attacking side could have the edge, making a Forest win a likely outcome.

Nottingham Forest to Win (2-1)

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