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Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth Prediction: Key Stats and Betting Tips

Nottingham Forest host Bournemouth at the City Ground in Nottingham on 24 May 2026 in the final round of the Premier League regular season. With Craig Pawson appointed as referee and a full 90 minutes ahead, this looks set to be a tense finale between a side fighting to stay clear of danger and another pushing to lock in European football.

Forest come into Matchday 38 sitting 16th with 43 points from 37 games, their goal difference at -3 after scoring 47 and conceding 50. Survival is not mathematically described here, but their position in the lower reaches of the table means every point still matters for prize money and momentum heading into the summer. Bournemouth, by contrast, have enjoyed an excellent campaign: 6th place with 56 points, 57 goals scored and 53 conceded, and currently in the “Promotion - Europa League (League phase)” zone. They travel to the City Ground knowing that a positive result should be enough to cement European qualification.

From a betting perspective, this fixture will attract attention from fans looking for Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth predictions and Premier League betting tips. Odds from leading bookmakers make Bournemouth narrow favourites, but Forest’s recent upturn in form and their attacking numbers suggest this could be a far more competitive contest than the league table alone implies.

Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth Key Stats

  • Forest are 16th with 43 points from 37 matches, scoring 47 and conceding 50 in the Premier League.
  • Bournemouth have dominated recent league meetings, winning 2-0 at home on 26 October 2025 and 5-0 at home on 25 January 2025.
  • Bournemouth have kept 11 clean sheets in the league this season, compared to Forest’s 9.

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 teams. Forest have taken 43 points from 37 games, with 11 wins, 10 draws and 16 defeats. Their goal difference of -3 (47 scored, 50 conceded) underlines a side that can threaten in attack but remains vulnerable defensively. At home, they have been inconsistent: 4 wins, 7 draws and 7 losses from 18 matches, scoring 19 and conceding 22.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, have put together a robust campaign. Sixth place with 56 points from 37 matches (13 wins, 17 draws, 7 defeats) and a positive goal difference of +4 (57 for, 53 against) reflects a team that is hard to beat and consistently competitive. Their away record is solid: 6 wins, 7 draws and 5 losses from 18 games, with 28 goals scored and 33 conceded. With a Europa League league-phase spot currently theirs, the Cherries arrive with both confidence and tangible stakes on the line.

Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth Key Matchups

M. Gibbs-White vs E. Kroupi

Morgan Gibbs-White is the standout attacking force for Nottingham Forest. Operating from midfield, he has delivered 14 league goals and 4 assists in 36 appearances, starting 34 of those and amassing 3,020 minutes. His influence on the ball is substantial: 57 shots (31 on target), 1,174 passes with 47 key passes and an 81% accuracy rate. He also contributes defensively with 20 tackles and 13 interceptions, and his dribbling threat (59 attempts, 28 successful) makes him Forest’s primary creative hub.

For Bournemouth, Eli Junior Kroupi has emerged as a major attacking weapon. In 32 appearances (20 starts, 1,617 minutes), he has scored 13 goals, underlining an impressive goals-to-minutes ratio. He has taken 31 shots with 21 on target, and his 431 passes with 21 key passes at 75% accuracy show he is more than just a finisher. While he has no assists listed, his direct goal threat and ability to find space between the lines will directly test Forest’s defensive structure.

N. Williams vs Álex Jiménez

On the defensive side, Neco Williams is a pivotal figure for Forest. Across 36 appearances (35 starts, 3,116 minutes), he has chipped in with 2 goals and 3 assists from the back line. His all-round contribution is notable: 26 shots (18 on target), 1,291 passes with 37 key passes at 82% accuracy, plus 94 tackles, 17 blocks and 45 interceptions. His aggressive style is reflected in 6 yellow cards and 1 red, underlining both his importance and his disciplinary risk.

For Bournemouth, Álex Jiménez provides a similarly energetic presence in defence. In 31 appearances (26 starts, 2,330 minutes), he has scored once and accumulated 10 yellow cards. His defensive output is strong: 69 tackles, 11 blocks and 27 interceptions, alongside 868 passes with 14 key passes at 80% accuracy and 39 successful dribbles from 75 attempts. His duel numbers (277 contested, 141 won) highlight how often he is engaged in direct battles, and his tendency to pick up cards could be a factor against a dribbler like Gibbs-White.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

Recent head-to-head history heavily favours Bournemouth, who have consistently found ways to take points off Forest in both the Premier League and Championship. The Cherries have been especially strong at home but have also enjoyed notable successes at the City Ground.

  • 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 a finely balanced contest, but with Bournemouth holding the edge. Forest’s league form string of “LDWWW” suggests a late-season surge, with three straight wins following a draw and a loss, and their last-five metrics in attack (15 goals, 3 per game) are excellent. Bournemouth, though, are also in strong shape with “DWWDW” in the league and 9 goals scored in their last five, conceding just 4.

Head-to-head trends strongly back the visitors: Bournemouth have won convincingly in the last two meetings (2-0 and 5-0 at home) and have taken multiple victories at the City Ground in recent years. The prediction metrics give Bournemouth and the draw equal weight at 45% each, with Forest at just 10%, and the advice leans towards a double chance of draw or Bournemouth. Expect Forest to push hard at home, but Bournemouth’s superior defensive numbers, clean-sheet record and European motivation should see them avoid defeat.

Predicted Score: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Bournemouth

Nottingham Forest League Form

LDWWW

Bournemouth League Form

DWWDW

Nottingham Forest Possible Starting Lineup

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

Forest have largely favoured a 4-2-3-1 shape this season, using it in 29 league matches. That structure allows a double pivot in midfield to shield a back four featuring the energetic Neco Williams and ball-playing centre-backs like Morato or Murillo. Gibbs-White is likely to operate as the central creator behind a lone striker such as Taiwo Awoniyi or the experienced Chris Wood, with Callum Hudson-Odoi and James McAtee offering width. With 9 clean sheets but 50 goals conceded overall, Forest will need their defensive unit and screening midfielders to be compact while still enabling their key playmaker to influence the game high up the pitch.

Bournemouth Possible Starting Lineup

Đ. Petrović; Álex Jiménez, M. Senesi, A. Smith, A. Truffert; T. Adams, L. Cook; M. Tavernier, R. Christie, E. Kroupi; Antoine Semenyo or Evanilson.

Bournemouth have been remarkably consistent tactically, lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in 35 league matches. That stability underpins their strong defensive and clean-sheet record. Đorđe Petrović in goal is protected by a back four including Álex Jiménez and Marcos Senesi, while Tyler Adams and Lewis Cook can anchor midfield. Further forward, a creative band of three featuring Marcus Tavernier, Ryan Christie and Eli Junior Kroupi supports a central striker such as Antoine Semenyo or Evanilson. With 57 goals scored and just 7 defeats all season, this structure has provided both attacking fluency and defensive balance.

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 prediction percentages giving Forest just 10% compared to 45% each for draw and Bournemouth, plus Bournemouth’s superior league position and H2H dominance, the away side look the more reliable angle. Odds around 2.00–2.17 are available on Bournemouth to win (for example, 2.00 at Betfair, 2.05 at Bet365 and BetVictor, 2.10 at William Hill, 2.12 at Pinnacle, and up to 2.17 at 1xBet).
  • Goals Tip: Consider backing over 1.5 total goals. Forest average 1.3 goals scored and 1.4 conceded per game, while Bournemouth average 1.5 scored and 1.4 conceded. Recent H2H meetings have produced 2, 5, 2, 2 and 5 goals. While specific goal-line odds are not listed here, the attacking profiles and defensive records suggest a game with at least two goals.
  • Value Tip: Look at a Bournemouth win combined with Kroupi or Semenyo to score (via a bet builder where available). Kroupi has 13 league goals from 32 appearances, and Semenyo has 10 goals and 3 assists from 20 games, both operating in advanced roles. With Bournemouth win odds as high as 2.17 at 1xBet and 2.13 at Marathonbet, combining a win with one of their in-form attackers to score could offer attractive 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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