Nottingham Forest welcomes Sunderland to The City Ground for a Premier League fixture that promises to be highly competitive. Both teams have experienced mixed recent form, with Sunderland showing a slightly better recent success rate. Historically, the teams have shared wins and draws, and their tactical approaches—Forest's balanced style versus Sunderland's attacking emphasis—could influence a tight game. Forest generally prefers possession-based play, whereas Sunderland tends to capitalize on counter-attacks. The tactical differences may lead to a cautious start, with the game possibly being decided by momentary lapses or set-piece opportunities.
Check out our complete thoughts below.
These are our top betting tips and predictions for the match.
A draw at halftime followed by a Sunderland win in the second half is a plausible scenario based on patterns observed.
Both teams have scored in their recent encounters, making Yes for Both Teams To Score a viable option.
The predicted total goals are under 3.5, with both teams typically engaging in disciplined defensive play.
A safe bet is to back Sunderland with a +0.5 handicap, considering their recent form and head-to-head record. The game is predicted to be tight, with Sunderland slightly more likely to avoid defeat.
The fixture on September 27, 2025, at The City Ground sees Sunderland slightly favored to win or draw against Nottingham Forest. Both teams are in mixed form, but recent direct encounters lean towards a closely fought contest, likely ending with under 3.5 goals.
In recent head-to-head encounters, Nottingham Forest and Sunderland have split results evenly, with a balanced record of wins and draws. The last contested fixture ended with a 1-1 draw, indicating a competitive rivalry.
A. Alese from Sunderland is missing due to a shoulder injury, which could impact their defensive stability.
Expected lineups show Nottingham Forest operating a 4-2-3-1 formation and Sunderland likely adopting a 4-3-3, focusing on balanced attack and defense strategies.
Sunderland has a better recent form at 53%, compared to Nottingham Forest's 38%. Both sides have experienced wins, but Sunderland's attacking output and defensive solidity give them an edge in this fixture.
See below all the main information for this match.
The match between Nottingham Forest and Sunderland is scheduled for 27th September 2025 at The City Ground. Sunderland is slightly favored, but the result is expected to remain close with a potential draw or narrow Sunderland win based on recent performances and tactical matchups.
Sunderland is slightly more in form with a 53% recent success rate compared to Nottingham Forest's 38%. Both teams have a history of competitive clashes, with Sunderland slightly edging out in recent league and friendly encounters, which suggests a closely contested game.
The match is expected to be low-scoring, with the forecast suggesting under 3.5 goals and a likely outcome of Sunderland winning or drawing. Both teams have shown solid defensive organization, which may limit goal opportunities.
Key absences could influence the match. Notably, A. Alese from Sunderland is missing due to a shoulder injury, potentially weakening Sunderland's defensive line. Nottingham Forest's tactical setup is also adaptable, often favoring a balanced approach.
