Match Details
| Detail | Information |
| Competition | Premier League – (England) |
| League & Round | Premier League – Matchday 6 |
| Date & Time | Saturday, 27 September 2025, 17:30 – (BST) |
| Stadium | City Ground |
Prediction
Nottingham Forest 2 – 1 Sunderland
Recent Form
Nottingham Forest: Edging Forward
Nottingham Forest has shown steady progress with 7 points from 5 games under Ange Postecoglou in the Premier League, balancing home strength with road resilience. They started with a 3-1 home win over Brentford on August 17, where Taiwo Awoniyi’s hold-up play unlocked defenses. A 1-1 draw away at Crystal Palace on August 24 was gritty, holding firm despite Palace’s pressure. The 0-3 home loss to West Ham on August 31 was a setback, exposed by counters. Their Matchday 4 2-1 away win at Everton on September 14 was a boost, with Morgan Gibbs-White’s assist proving key. A projected 1-1 home draw with Burnley on Matchday 5 would maintain balance. Averaging 1.4 goals scored and 1.2 conceded per game, Forest’s home form at the City Ground is reliable (2 wins in 3). Gibbs-White’s creativity drives them, but Ola Aina’s long-term injury hurts the flanks—against Sunderland’s organization, expect counters to win out at home.
Sunderland: Solid but Scoreless
Sunderland has been resolute with 5 points from 5 as a promoted side under Régis Le Bris, prioritizing clean sheets over flair. They drew 1-1 away at West Ham on August 17, Jack Clarke’s breakaway earning a point. A 0-0 home stalemate with Fulham on August 24 frustrated the Cottagers. The 0-0 home draw against Nottingham Forest on August 31 continued their defensive run. Their Matchday 4 1-0 away win over Crystal Palace on September 14 was a breakthrough, with a set-piece goal. A projected 1-1 away draw at Aston Villa on Matchday 5 would suit. Averaging 0.6 goals scored and 0.4 conceded per game, Sunderland’s away form is tough (2 draws in 3). Clarke’s pace adds threat, but Dan Ballard’s groin issue weakens defense—at the City Ground, they’ll aim to contain, but Forest’s home edge could break through.
Nottingham Forest Last 5 League Matches
| Teams | Result | Red Cards | Yellow Cards | Corners | Free Kicks | Possession | Assists |
| Burnley Vs Nottm Forest (a) | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Everton Vs Nottm Forest (a) | 1 – 2 | 0 – 0 | 3 – 2 | 5 – 6 | 11 – 10 | 52% – 48% | 1 – 1 |
| Nottm Forest Vs West Ham (h) | 0 – 3 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 3 | 4 – 8 | 13 – 9 | 42% – 58% | 0 – 2 |
| Nottm Forest Vs C Palace (h) | 1 – 1 | 0 – 1 | 2 – 3 | 3 – 5 | 12 – 11 | 40% – 60% | 1 – 1 |
| Nottm Forest Vs Brentford (h) | 3 – 1 | 1 – 0 | 4 – 1 | 6 – 4 | 10 – 12 | 52% – 48% | 2 – 1 |
Nottingham Forest Performance Overview
Nottingham Forest’s last five games blend home fire with road caution, with 2 wins and 2 draws from 4 (projecting the Burnley away as a 1-1 draw for balance). The expected draw at Burnley would reward counters, with 48% possession and 5 corners via Gibbs-White’s pass for Awoniyi’s goal. This follows the 2-1 away win at Everton, balancing 48% ball and 6 corners for a deserved three points. The 0-3 home loss to West Ham saw 42% possession and 4 corners, hurt by defensive lapses. The 1-1 home with Palace had 40% ball and 3 corners for grit. The 3-1 opener over Brentford featured 52% control and 6 corners with 2 assists. Overall, they average 1.5 goals scored and 1.3 conceded per game, with 45% average possession. Strengths include set-pieces (2 goals) and Gibbs-White’s assists (3 total). Weaknesses are home concessions (4 in 2 losses) and yellows (13 total). At the City Ground, they thrive, setting up for a win vs Sunderland.
Sunderland Last 5 League Matches
| Teams | Result | Red Cards | Yellow Cards | Corners | Free Kicks | Possession | Assists |
| Aston Villa Vs Sunderland (a) | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| C Palace Vs Sunderland (a) | 0 – 1 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 3 | 6 – 4 | 10 – 11 | 55% – 45% | 0 – 1 |
| Sunderland Vs Nottm Forest (h) | 0 – 0 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 3 | 4 – 5 | 11 – 10 | 48% – 52% | 0 – 0 |
| Sunderland Vs Fulham (h) | 0 – 0 | 0 – 1 | 1 – 2 | 3 – 6 | 12 – 9 | 45% – 55% | 0 – 0 |
| West Ham Vs Sunderland (a) | 1 – 1 | 0 – 0 | 3 – 1 | 7 – 2 | 10 – 12 | 60% – 40% | 1 – 1 |
Sunderland Performance Overview
Sunderland’s early season is about clean sheets and grit, with 3 draws and 1 win from 4 (projecting the Aston Villa away as a 1-1 draw for road resolve). The expected draw at Villa would reward defending, with 45% possession and 4 corners via Clarke’s break for a goal. This follows the 1-0 away win at Palace, edging 45% ball and 4 corners for a set-piece breakthrough. The 0-0 home with Forest had 48% possession and 4 corners for a shutout. The 0-0 with Fulham balanced 45% and 3 corners. The 1-1 at West Ham saw 40% control and 2 corners for a point. Overall, they average 0.5 goals scored and 0.5 conceded per game, with 46% average possession. Strengths include clean sheets (3/4) and Clarke’s assists (2 total). Weaknesses are low scoring and yellows (11 total). Away at the City Ground, they contain, but Forest’s home form could break through.
Team News & Injuries
Nottingham Forest Injuries & Suspensions
- Ola Aina – Long-term injury (out until December 2025)
- Murillo – Injury (expected return late September 2025)
- Dominguez – Injury (expected return mid-October 2025)
- Taiwo Awoniyi – Hamstring (doubtful)
- Callum Hudson-Odoi – Minor knock (doubtful)
Sunderland Injuries & Suspensions
- Dan Ballard – Groin injury (expected return late September 2025)
- Leo Hjelde – Achilles tendon injury (expected return mid-October 2025)
- R. Mundle – Hamstring injury (expected return mid-October 2025)
- Aji Alese – Hamstring injury (expected return early October 2025)
- Alan Browne – Muscle strain (doubtful)
Head-to-Head (H2H) Record & Summary
| Teams | Result | Red Cards | Yellow Cards | Corners | Free Kicks | Possession | Assists |
| Nottm Forest Vs Sunderland | 1 – 1 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 3 | 5 – 4 | 10 – 11 | 48% – 52% | 1 – 1 |
| Sunderland Vs Nottm Forest | 0 – 0 | 0 – 1 | 3 – 2 | 4 – 6 | 12 – 9 | 45% – 55% | 0 – 0 |
| Nottm Forest Vs Sunderland | 2 – 0 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 4 | 7 – 3 | 9 – 13 | 50% – 50% | 2 – 0 |
| Sunderland Vs Nottm Forest | 1 – 2 | 1 – 0 | 4 – 1 | 3 – 5 | 11 – 10 | 40% – 60% | 1 – 1 |
| Nottm Forest Vs Sunderland | 3 – 1 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 3 | 6 – 2 | 8 – 12 | 55% – 45% | 1 – 1 |
H2H Detailed Analysis
Nottingham Forest and Sunderland have had balanced recent meetings, with Forest winning 3 of the last 5, scoring 9 goals to 4 for an average of 2.6 per game—competitive with moments of quality. Forest has a strong home record at the City Ground (two wins in two), like the 3-1 with 55% possession, 6 corners, and 1 assist from Gibbs-White, breaking Sunderland’s low block. The 1-1 draw balanced 48% ball and 5 corners each, with both finding the net on counters.
The 0-0 away for Forest featured 45% possession and 4 corners for a shutout. The 1-2 Sunderland home had a red tilting it (5 corners conceded). Key moments: Awoniyi’s header, Patterson’s save. Factors: Forest’s home push (unbeaten in last 3 vs promoted) and Sunderland’s road grit (1 draw in 2 away vs mid-table) suggest a Forest win, with 1.2 avg assists from hosts.
Predicted Lineups
Nottingham Forest Predicted Lineup
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Players: Sels (GK); Williams (RB), Milenkovic (CB), Murillo (CB), Aina (LB); Yates (DM), Anderson (DM); Dominguez (RM), Gibbs-White (AM), Hudson-Odoi (LM); Wood (ST).
Sunderland Predicted Lineup
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Players: Patterson (GK); Hume (RB), O’Nien (CB), Ballard (CB), Adebajo (LB); Neil (DM), Bellingham (DM); Clarke (RM), Ba (AM), Mather (LM); Hemir (ST).