Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth Prediction: Preview and Betting Tips

Nottingham Forest bring the curtain down on their Premier League campaign at the City Ground on 24 May 2026, with high-flying Bournemouth the visitors. With safety already secured, Forest sit 16th on 43 points, but they have a chance to finish on a positive note in front of their own fans after an inconsistent year.

Bournemouth arrive in Nottingham with far more on the line. Andoni Iraola’s side are 6th on 56 points and currently occupy a “Promotion - Europa League (League phase)” position. Avoiding defeat here would be a major step towards confirming European football, and their strong league record suggests they are well placed to do so.

Stats suggest this could be a classic final-day clash: Forest have shown renewed attacking spark late in the season, while Bournemouth have been one of the division’s most resilient and hard-to-beat sides, drawing 17 of their 37 league games. The City Ground crowd, the stakes for Bournemouth and the recent head-to-head pattern all shape a fascinating tactical battle.

Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth Key Stats

• Nottingham Forest are 16th with 43 points from 37 games, scoring 47 and conceding 50 in the Premier League.
• Bournemouth have not lost any of their last five league meetings with Forest, including a 2-0 home win on 26 October 2025 in the Premier League.
• Forest average 1.3 goals scored and 1.4 goals 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 season record shows a clear gap between the sides. Forest’s 11 wins, 10 draws and 16 defeats from 37 matches underline a campaign spent largely in the bottom half, with a negative goal difference of -3. Their home form has been patchy: only 4 wins in 18 at the City Ground, with 19 goals scored and 22 conceded, emphasising how often they have struggled to turn this ground into a fortress.

Bournemouth, by contrast, have been one of the league’s most consistent outfits. Sitting 6th with 56 points, they have lost just 7 of 37 league games, drawing 17 and winning 13. Their attack has produced 57 goals, while conceding 53, and they have been particularly solid at home (7 wins, 10 draws, 2 defeats). Away from home they remain competitive with 6 wins, 7 draws and only 5 losses, scoring 28 and conceding 33, a profile that supports their push for Europa League qualification.

Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth Key Matchups

M. Gibbs-White vs E. Kroupi

Morgan Gibbs-White has been Forest’s standout attacking threat. In 36 Premier League appearances, the midfielder has scored 14 goals and provided 4 assists, underlining his importance between the lines. He has taken 57 shots with 31 on target, created 47 key passes and maintained an 81% passing accuracy from 1,174 passes, making him the creative hub of Forest’s attack.

For Bournemouth, Eli Junior Kroupi has emerged as a major goal threat. In 32 appearances (20 starts), he has scored 13 league goals, with 31 shots and 21 on target. His 431 passes at 75% accuracy and 21 key passes show he can link play as well as finish. With 2 penalties scored and a willingness to dribble (34 attempts, 14 successful), Kroupi’s movement in and around the box will test a Forest defence that concedes 1.4 goals per game.

N. Williams vs Álex Jiménez

On the defensive side, Neco Williams is a crucial figure for Forest. Across 36 appearances and 3,116 minutes, he has contributed 2 goals and 3 assists from the back, while also bringing strong defensive numbers: 94 tackles, 17 blocks and 45 interceptions, plus 211 duels won out of 377. His attacking thrust (37 key passes, 69 dribble attempts with 30 successes) comes at a cost in discipline, with 6 yellow cards and 1 red, something Forest must manage carefully.

For Bournemouth, Álex Jiménez has been a defensive mainstay. In 31 appearances (26 starts), he has scored once and contributed heavily in duels and tackles: 69 tackles, 11 blocks, 27 interceptions and 141 duels won from 277. Offensively, he has 14 key passes from 868 passes at 80% accuracy and 39 successful dribbles from 75 attempts. His 10 yellow cards highlight an aggressive style that could be targeted by Forest’s creative players, especially Gibbs-White.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

Bournemouth have dominated this fixture in recent years, particularly in the Premier League era. Forest have struggled to turn performances into wins, while Bournemouth have repeatedly found ways to score at key moments. Across the last five league meetings listed below, Bournemouth have three wins and two draws.

• 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 prediction market still leans towards a tight contest. The win/draw/away probabilities are split at 10% for a Forest win, 45% for the draw and 45% for a Bournemouth victory, with the advice leaning towards “double chance: draw or Bournemouth”. Bournemouth’s superior league position, better defensive metrics (11 clean sheets to Forest’s 9) and dominant recent H2H record all support that view.

Forest’s recent improvement in attack, reflected in their last-five record of 15 goals scored (3 per game), suggests they can create chances, especially through Gibbs-White. However, Bournemouth’s balanced profile and strong away record indicate they are well equipped to manage the occasion and secure the result they need. Expect Bournemouth to control key phases, with Forest dangerous in transitions but vulnerable at the back.

Predicted Score: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Bournemouth

Nottingham Forest League Form

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Bournemouth League Form

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Nottingham Forest Possible Starting Lineup

A. Gunn or M. Sels (GK); N. Williams, Morato, Murillo, L. Netz (Defenders); N. Domínguez, I. Sangaré, M. Gibbs-White, C. Hudson-Odoi, J. McAtee (Midfielders); C. Wood or T. Awoniyi (Forwards).

Forest have typically favoured a 4-2-3-1 structure this season, using it in the vast majority of their matches. That shape allows Gibbs-White to operate centrally behind a focal striker such as Chris Wood or Taiwo Awoniyi, with Hudson-Odoi and McAtee offering support from wide or half-spaces. At the back, Williams’ attacking thrust from full-back is key, while the Morato–Murillo pairing provides height and physicality. With 9 clean sheets but 50 goals conceded, Forest’s setup is aggressive but can leave gaps if the full-backs push too high.

Bournemouth Possible Starting Lineup

Đ. Petrović (GK); Álex Jiménez, M. Senesi, A. Truffert, B. Diakité (Defenders); T. Adams, L. Cook, M. Tavernier, R. Christie (Midfielders); E. Kroupi, Evanilson (Forwards).

Bournemouth have relied heavily on a 4-2-3-1, using it in 35 league matches, with occasional switches to 4-1-4-1. That framework balances their attacking threats — Kroupi and Evanilson in advanced roles — with a solid double pivot featuring the likes of Tyler Adams and Lewis Cook. Wide creators such as Marcus Tavernier and Ryan Christie add crossing and set-piece quality. With 11 clean sheets and only 7 defeats all season, this structure has given them both control and resilience, especially in tight away fixtures like this one.

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: Bournemouth Double Chance (Draw or Away). With Bournemouth given 45% to win and 45% for the draw, and the explicit advice favouring “draw or Bournemouth”, backing the away side not to lose looks sensible. Away odds around 2.00–2.17 (e.g. 2.00 at Betfair, 2.17 at 1xBet) for the straight win highlight Bournemouth as favourites, but the double-chance angle offers a safer route for accumulators.
• Goals Tip: Over 1.5 Total Goals. Forest average 1.3 goals scored and 1.4 conceded, while Bournemouth average 1.5 scored and 1.4 conceded. Recent H2H meetings have produced scorelines such as 5-0, 3-2 and 2-0, suggesting at least two goals is a reasonable expectation. Look to combine Over 1.5 goals with match-winner markets where bookmakers offer bet builders; base match odds range from 3.20 home / 3.70 draw / 2.06 away (10Bet) to 3.36 home / 3.92 draw / 2.17 away (1xBet).
• Value Tip: Bournemouth to Score First. Bournemouth’s attacking leaders Kroupi (13 goals) and supporting scorers like Semenyo (10 goals) give them multiple threats, while Forest have conceded first in several recent H2Hs, including 2-0 and 5-0 defeats away. With away win odds clustered around 2.05–2.17 (Bet365 2.05, Pinnacle 2.12, 1xBet 2.17), the price on Bournemouth to score first is likely to offer attractive value in the goalscorer or first-goal markets.

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.