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Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth Prediction: Key Stats and Betting Tips

Nottingham Forest welcome Bournemouth to the City Ground on 24 May 2026 for a final-day Premier League clash that matters at both ends of the table. With Craig Pawson appointed as referee and a full house expected in Nottingham, the stage is set for a tense afternoon between a Forest side still looking over their shoulder and a Bournemouth team pushing to secure European football.

Forest come into Round 38 sitting 16th with 43 points from 37 matches. Safety is within reach, but an inconsistent campaign means they are not completely out of danger. Bournemouth, by contrast, have enjoyed an impressive season. The Cherries are 6th on 56 points and currently occupy a “Promotion - Europa League (League phase)” position, giving this game huge significance in the battle for continental qualification.

Stats suggest a contrast in styles and consistency. Forest’s season has been defined by volatility and defensive leaks, while Bournemouth’s resilience and ability to avoid defeat – 17 league draws – underpin their push for Europe. With the City Ground hosting and both sides having plenty to play for, this has all the ingredients of a tight, tactical encounter with a strong live betting and match prediction angle.

Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth Key Stats

  • Nottingham Forest sit 16th with 43 points from 37 games, while Bournemouth are 6th with 56 points from the same number of fixtures.
  • Bournemouth beat Forest 2-0 at Vitality Stadium on 26 October 2025 in the Premier League.
  • Forest average 1.3 goals scored and 1.4 conceded per league game, while Bournemouth average 1.5 scored and 1.4 conceded.

Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth — Tale of the Tape

  • Position: 16 vs 6
  • Points: 43 vs 56
  • Goals For: 47 vs 57
  • Goals Against: 50 vs 53
  • Clean Sheets: 9 vs 11

The league table underlines the gap between these sides. Forest’s 47 goals from 37 games highlight a capable attack, but their 50 goals conceded and negative goal difference of -3 show why they have spent the season in the bottom half. Bournemouth, with 57 goals scored and a positive goal difference of +4, have been more balanced and efficient at both ends.

Forest’s home record – 4 wins, 7 draws and 7 defeats with 19 goals scored and 22 conceded – points to a side that often struggles to turn City Ground performances into three points. Bournemouth have been stubborn travellers, losing only 5 of 18 away matches, scoring 28 and conceding 33. With Bournemouth already in a Europa League qualifying position and Forest trying to close out survival, the broader season record backs the visitors as the more reliable outfit.

Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth Key Matchups

M. Gibbs-White vs E. Kroupi

Morgan Gibbs-White is Forest’s standout attacking threat. The midfielder has 14 goals and 4 assists in 36 league appearances, starting 34 of those and logging 3,020 minutes. He has taken 57 shots with 31 on target and created 47 key passes from 1,174 total passes at 81% accuracy. His dribbling output – 59 attempts with 28 successful – and 40 fouls drawn underline his importance between the lines, both as a creator and as someone who wins set-piece opportunities.

For Bournemouth, Eli Junior Kroupi has been a major goal source. In 32 appearances (20 starts), he has scored 13 league goals in 1,617 minutes, converting from 31 shots with 21 on target. With 431 passes at 75% accuracy and 21 key passes, Kroupi offers more than just finishing; his movement and link play between midfield and attack will test Forest’s defensive structure. The duel between Gibbs-White’s creative influence and Kroupi’s penalty-box efficiency could define the attacking narrative of this match.

N. Williams vs Álex Jiménez

On the defensive side, Neco Williams is a key figure for Forest. The defender has made 36 appearances (35 starts), contributing 2 goals and 3 assists from the back. His 1,291 passes at 82% accuracy and 37 key passes show he is integral to Forest’s build-up play. Defensively, 94 tackles, 17 blocks and 45 interceptions plus 211 duels won from 377 underline his work rate. However, 6 yellow cards and 1 red card indicate a combative style that can spill over.

For Bournemouth, Álex Jiménez has been a high-impact defender. Across 31 appearances (26 starts), he has chipped in with 1 goal and played 2,330 minutes. His defensive numbers are impressive: 69 tackles, 11 blocks, 27 interceptions and 141 duels won from 277. Offensively, he has 868 passes at 80% accuracy and 14 key passes, plus an aggressive dribbling profile (75 attempts, 39 successful). The 10 yellow cards he has collected suggest he plays on the edge. The flank battle between Williams and Jiménez – both aggressive, front-foot full-backs – could shape which side controls the wide areas.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

Recent head-to-head history is heavily tilted towards Bournemouth, who have consistently found ways to get results against Forest in both the Premier League and Championship. The Cherries have taken multiple wins, particularly at Vitality Stadium, while Forest have rarely come out on top.

  • 26 October 2025: Bournemouth 2-0 Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
  • 25 January 2025: Bournemouth 5-0 Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
  • 17 August 2024: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Bournemouth (Premier League)
  • 4 February 2024: Bournemouth 1-1 Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
  • 23 December 2023: Nottingham Forest 2-3 Bournemouth (Premier League)

Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth Prediction

Analysis points to Bournemouth having the edge, but the market and probability split suggest a finely balanced contest. Forest’s recent league form reads LDWWW, indicating a late-season surge with three wins in their last five. Bournemouth’s DWWDW shows similar momentum, but their overall campaign has been more stable, with only 7 defeats in 37 matches.

Head-to-head trends are clearly in Bournemouth’s favour, and the prediction metrics give the visitors and the draw an equal 45% probability, with Forest down at 10%. Bournemouth’s stronger defensive metrics (11 clean sheets to Forest’s 9) and more consistent away record support a positive result for the Cherries, but the double-chance angle (draw or Bournemouth) looks safer than backing an outright away win in a high-pressure final-day setting.

Predicted Score: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Bournemouth

Nottingham Forest League Form

LDWWW

Bournemouth League Form

DWWDW

Nottingham Forest Possible Starting Lineup

Goalkeepers: M. Sels, A. Gunn; Defenders: N. Williams, Morato, Murillo, L. Netz, O. Aina, N. Milenković, W. Boly; Midfielders: M. Gibbs-White, N. Domínguez, R. Yates, I. Sangaré, C. Hudson-Odoi, J. McAtee, O. Hutchinson, E. Anderson; Forwards: T. Awoniyi, C. Wood, L. Lucca, D. Ndoye, Igor Jesus, D. Bakwa.

Forest have typically favoured a 4-2-3-1 structure across the season, and the squad profile supports that shape again. Neco Williams offers attacking thrust from full-back, while Gibbs-White is the natural No.10 to knit play and provide end product. With multiple centre-forward options such as Awoniyi and Wood, Forest can vary between a more physical focal point and mobility in behind. The main question is how adventurous they will be given Bournemouth’s threat in transition.

Bournemouth Possible Starting Lineup

Goalkeepers: Đ. Petrović, C. Mandas; Defenders: Álex Jiménez, M. Senesi, A. Smith, A. Truffert, B. Diakité, J. Hill; Midfielders: T. Adams, L. Cook, R. Christie, M. Tavernier, A. Scott; Attackers: E. Kroupi, A. Semenyo, Evanilson, J. Kluivert, B. Doak, D. Brooks, A. Adli, E. Ünal.

Bournemouth have leaned heavily on a 4-2-3-1 system, and their squad is well-suited to that approach. Jiménez and Truffert give width from full-back, while Adams and Cook provide balance in midfield. Further forward, the likes of Kroupi, Semenyo, Tavernier and Kluivert give the Cherries a mix of pace, creativity and goal threat. With Evanilson and Ünal as central options, Bournemouth can rotate their striker while keeping high attacking quality on the pitch.

Nottingham Forest Team News

No significant absences reported.

Bournemouth Team News

No significant absences reported.

Injuries & Suspensions

Nottingham Forest:

  • None reported.

Bournemouth:

  • None reported.

Betting Tips: Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth

Exactly 3 distinct tips from different markets:

  • Result Tip: Back Bournemouth in the Match Winner market with the away side favoured by the prediction metrics (45% away, 45% draw, 10% home) and a superior league position. Odds around 2.00–2.17 are available, with Betfair offering 2.00 and 1xBet up to 2.17 on the away win.
  • Goals Tip: With Forest averaging 1.3 goals for and 1.4 against, and Bournemouth at 1.5 for and 1.4 against, plus multiple recent H2H games featuring at least two goals, backing a goals-based angle such as over 1.5 team or match goals aligns with both sides’ scoring profiles. Combine this with the away-win lean at prices near 2.05–2.13 on Bournemouth from Bet365 and Marathonbet for a higher-risk builder.
  • Value Tip: Consider a Bournemouth-focused angle built around their attacking leaders. Kroupi (13 league goals) and Semenyo (10 goals, 3 assists) give the visitors multiple routes to score, while Forest’s defensive record and Williams’ disciplinary history (6 yellows, 1 red) hint at pressure in their back line. Using the away win at 2.05–2.12 (Bet365, Pinnacle) as the core of a bet builder with goals or cards can offer strong value.

How to Watch Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth

Broadcast coverage varies by region. General guide:

  • Spain: Movistar LaLiga
  • UK: Premier Sports
  • Australia: beIN Sports
  • India: FanCode
  • MENA: beIN Sports
  • South America: ESPN / Disney+
  • Africa: SuperSport

Odds are accurate at the time of writing and subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.

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