Match Preview: Nottingham Forest vs Leicester City
Nottingham Forest will seek a return to winning ways when they face Leicester City in a crucial Premier League encounter at the City Ground this Sunday. While Forest’s sights remain set on a top-four finish and Champions League qualification, their recent form has left little margin for error.
After climbing as high as second earlier in the season, Forest have stumbled in recent weeks, earning just one win in their last five league outings. Their latest fixture ended in a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, where they had to rally late to secure a point. This dip in form has seen them slip to sixth in the standings, now trailing Newcastle and Chelsea in the race for European spots.
Despite back-to-back home losses to Everton and Brentford, Forest boasts one of the Premier League’s strongest defensive records at home, conceding only 13 goals in 17 matches, tied for best in the division.
Leicester, meanwhile, arrive with their fate already sealed. Following a rare home win over Southampton last weekend, the Foxes are mathematically relegated, sitting 19th with no path to survival. Veteran forward Jamie Vardy and Jordan Ayew were on the scoresheet in that match, delivering a fleeting moment of joy for supporters after a brutal campaign.
Away from home, Leicester’s struggles have been consistent. They are winless in their last six away games, with their only road victory since January coming against Tottenham Hotspur. Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, appointed mid-season, has failed to turn things around and now faces uncertainty about his future at the club.
In terms of team news, Forest will be without winger Callum Hudson-Odoi due to a hamstring issue. There is also concern over Murillo, who suffered a knock against Palace. Should he miss out, Nikola Milenkovic and Morato are expected to partner at the back.
Leicester’s injury woes continue as goalkeeper Mads Hermansen is ruled out for the remainder of the season. Other absentees include Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Ricardo Pereira, Abdul Fatawu, and Stephy Mavididi. Loanee Facundo Buonanotte is also a doubt after missing the previous match due to a concussion.
Predicted Lineups
Nottingham Forest:
Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Sangare, Anderson, Dominguez; Gibbs-White, Elanga; Wood
Leicester City:
Stolarczyk; Justin, Coady, Faes, Thomas; Ndidi, Skipp, McAteer; Ayew, El Khannouss; Vardy
Prediction
Nottingham Forest 2-0 Leicester City
With European ambitions still alive and Leicester already relegated, Forest should have the edge at home.
