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Match Prediction
Nottingham Forest win
Draw
Arsenal win
Nottingham Forest or draw
Arsenal or draw
Expected goals: 0.7 – 1.8 | Elo-adjusted Poisson model · team strength & head-to-head
Statistical model estimates, not a guarantee of outcome.
Model v2 · Generated 14 Oct 2026, 06:41 UTC · Track record
Forest’s Slide Meets Arsenal’s Title Chase
Nottingham Forest go into the round 15th on 5 points from 6 games, while Arsenal start it 2nd on 15. The two clubs are 13 places and 10 points apart. Forest have lost their last two games. Arsenal need to win at grounds like this to keep up a title challenge, yet their recent trips to the City Ground have rarely been easy.
The State of Nottingham Forest
Last 5 results in all competitions, newest first (score shows Nottingham Forest’s goals first):
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Oct | Crystal Palace | Away | L 1-3 | Premier League |
| 19 Sep | Coventry City | Home | L 0-1 | Premier League |
| 12 Sep | Aston Villa | Away | W 2-1 | Premier League |
| 5 Sep | Tottenham | Home | D 0-0 | Premier League |
| 29 Aug | Liverpool | Away | D 2-2 | Premier League |
Forest’s early season under Oliver Glasner has been better away than at home. A 2-2 draw away at Liverpool showed they can hurt big sides in open games. Since then, a 0-1 defeat at home to Coventry City and a 1-3 loss away at Crystal Palace have left them without a win in the last 2. Across the five results they have 1 win, 2 draws and 2 defeats, with 5 goals scored and 7 conceded. They failed to score in 2 of those games, and that is the main problem. Glasner’s teams usually play a back three with attacking wing-backs and quick vertical passes. That plan works best when the opponent leaves space. Forest have struggled more when they have to break down a deep block.
The State of Arsenal
Last 5 results in all competitions, newest first (score shows Arsenal’s goals first):
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Oct | Lille | Home | W 3-0 | UEFA Champions League |
| 10 Oct | Leeds | Home | W 2-1 | Premier League |
| 19 Sep | Brighton | Away | L 0-3 | Premier League |
| 12 Sep | Sunderland | Away | W 2-0 | Premier League |
| 9 Sep | Napoli | Away | W 1-0 | UEFA Champions League |
Mikel Arteta’s side have 4 wins from their last 5 in all competitions, with 3 clean sheets. A 2-1 win at home to Leeds in the Premier League came before a 3-0 win at home to Lille in the Champions League. The one defeat stands out: 0-3 away at Brighton in the league. It showed that Arsenal’s high defensive line can be opened up by quick, direct running. Arsenal want long spells of possession, an immediate press after they lose the ball, and goals from rehearsed set pieces when open play stalls. With the Lille game only days earlier, rotation and fatigue could matter.
Head-to-Head
Arsenal have won 5 of the last 8 meetings and Forest 1, with 2 draws. At the City Ground the record is far closer: in 4 meetings each side has won once and 2 have ended goalless. The most recent meeting, on 17 January 2026, finished Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal. Forest’s only win in this run was 1-0 at the City Ground on 20 May 2023. Arsenal scored 3 or more in 3 meetings, but all three were at their own ground.
👀 What to Watch
The key contest is out wide. Glasner wants his wing-backs high up the pitch to pin Arsenal’s full-backs. If that works, Forest can push Arsenal deeper and attack the space that Brighton found. If it fails, Arsenal get space behind those wing-backs to counter. Also watch set pieces. Two of the last four City Ground meetings were goalless, so one dead ball could decide the game.
🔮 Prediction
Our model gives Nottingham Forest a 15% chance of winning, 24% for a draw and 61% for Arsenal. Expected goals: 0.7–1.8. Arsenal’s form and Forest’s poor scoring record make Arsenal favourites. Still, the goalless draws at the City Ground suggest a tight game, not a big away win. These are model projections, not a guarantee of outcome.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Arsenal
Practical Info
- Kickoff: Sunday 18 October 2026, 15:30 UTC / 16:30 BST (Sun 18 Oct) / 11:30 AM EDT (Sun 18 Oct) / 17:30 CEST (Sun 18 Oct)
- Venue: The City Ground
- Competition: Premier League, Matchday 7
- Where to watch: Sky Sports, TNT Sports & BBC Match of the Day (UK) / NBC Sports & Peacock (US)
FAQ
- What time is Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal?
- Kickoff: Sunday 18 October 2026, 15:30 UTC / 16:30 BST (Sun 18 Oct) / 11:30 AM EDT (Sun 18 Oct) / 17:30 CEST (Sun 18 Oct)
- Where is Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal being played?
- Venue: The City Ground
- Who won the last meeting between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal?
- Nobody. The most recent meeting, at the City Ground on 17 January 2026, ended Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal.
- What is the predicted score for Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal?
- Our prediction is Nottingham Forest 0-1 Arsenal. Arsenal's form makes them favourites, but the low-scoring history at the City Ground points to a narrow margin.
- How can I watch Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal on TV?
- Where to watch: Sky Sports, TNT Sports & BBC Match of the Day (UK) / NBC Sports & Peacock (US)