Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal Lineups, Prediction, Best Bets & Odds

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Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal Match Summary

Second-place Arsenal visit The City Ground on Sunday for Nottingham Forest's first home fixture since mid-September. For the hosts, the timing could hardly be worse.

Forest have just one Premier League win this season, leaving them hovering above the relegation zone. Head coach Oliver Glasner is coming off a loss at his former club, Crystal Palace.

Arsenal arrive in rhythm, having won 10 of their last 11 Premier League matches. This is a squad that expects to take points from games like this — on the road or anywhere else.

History favors the visitors. Arsenal are unbeaten in their last six matches against Forest in all competitions. They've also posted a shutout in their last four meetings with Forest in all competitions.

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal Form

Forest's problems start in front of goal. They're still waiting for their first goal at The City Ground in all competitions this season, and that home drought now stretches to six hours. Glasner's side create chances and take plenty of shots, but finishing has been the weak link, and the loss at Crystal Palace only deepened the gloom.

Arsenal had to grind out their return from the international break, coming from behind against Leeds with second-half goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Bruno Guimarães. Away from home they've lost only at Manchester City and Brighton in the last 10 months. Eberechi Eze also impressed against Lille on Tuesday.

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal Lineups & Team News

Injuries & Suspensions

Nottingham Forest: Igor Jesus (Injured/out), Nicolo Savona (Injured/doubtful), Nikola Milenkovic (Injured/doubtful)

Arsenal: Christos Tzolis (Injured/out), William Saliba (Injured/out), Piero Hincapié (Injured/out), Martin Zubimendi (Injured/doubtful)

Nottingham Forest

Igor Jesus misses out with a muscle injury, while Nikola Milenkovic and Nicolo Savona are doubtful. Glasner is unlikely to make many changes from the side that lost at Crystal Palace, so expect the usual 3-4-2-1 with Delap leading the line and Gibbs-White and Ndoye working behind him.

Arsenal

Arsenal's side of the Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal lineups carries more uncertainty. Saliba, Hincapié, and Tzolis all remain sidelined, and Zubimendi is still battling an ankle problem that has kept him out of the last two games, which points to Rice and Guimarães anchoring midfield. Eze is pushing for his first Premier League start of the season after impressing against Lille.

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal Predicted Lineup

Nottingham Forest

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Predicted Starting Lineup: M. Sels, Murillo, O. Diomande, O. Aina, N. Williams, I. Sangaré, J. McAtee, D. Muñoz, M. Gibbs-White, D. Ndoye, L. Delap

Arsenal

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Starting Lineup: D. Raya, R. Calafiori, G. Magalhães, E. Konsa, J. Timber, B. Guimarães, D. Rice, E. Eze, M. Ødegaard, B. Saka, K. Havertz

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal Key Stats & Match Facts

• Arsenal have won 10 of their last 11 matches in the Premier League.
• Arsenal are undefeated in their last six matches against Nottingham Forest in all competitions.
• Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in their last four matches against Nottingham Forest in all competitions.
• The previous-meetings record between the clubs reads four Arsenal wins, two draws, and no Forest wins.
• Nottingham Forest are still waiting for their first goal at The City Ground in all competitions this season, a home drought of six hours.

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal Talking Points

The flanks are where this one gets decided. Arsenal do their best damage attacking down the wings, and the right side with Saka is their go-to channel — that means Williams is in for a busy day on Forest's left. Glasner's system is built on compactness and transitions rather than possession, so Forest will happily cede the ball to an Arsenal side that likes to control games in the opponent's half.

The hosts' real outs are set pieces and aerial duels, both genuine strengths, and they do create chances. The problem is converting them, and even an early lead wouldn't be safe — Forest struggle to protect one, while Arsenal have a knack for coming back from losing positions.

Our Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal prediction: Arsenal 2-1, with the visitors' quality out wide outlasting a Forest side that will have its moments but lacks the finishing to cash them in.

See the latest Premier League odds and Premier League futures betting lines ahead of this game. Soccer betting is available for every Premier League game at Fanatics Sportsbook.

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal Predictions FAQs

What is the Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal prediction?

Arsenal look the stronger side: they have won 10 of their last 11 Premier League matches and are undefeated in their last 6 meetings with Forest in all competitions. Forest have one Premier League win this season and sit only two points above the relegation zone.

Who is expected to line up for Nottingham Forest and Arsenal?

Forest are expected to play a 3-4-2-1 with M. Sels in goal, and Arsenal a 4-2-3-1 with D. Raya in goal and K. Havertz leading the line. Forest's injury list includes I. Jesus, while W. Saliba, P. Hincapié, and C. Tzolis are out for Arsenal.

When is the Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal kickoff?

The match is on Sunday, October 18, 2026, with kickoff at 11:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. PT).

Where is Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal being played?

The match is being played at The City Ground.

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