Nottingham Forest vs Leicester Preview

• Forest to win
• Wood to score

At the beginning of April, Nottingham Forest fans were daring to dream. A gritty 1-0 win over Manchester United had put the Tricky Trees firmly on course for a top-five Premier League finish, and with it, the promise of UEFA Champions League football for the first time in more than four decades.

That dream, however, is beginning to fade. A run of just one win from their last five league outings (D1, L3) has derailed their momentum, leaving them outside the top five at the start of this round and in danger of letting a historic opportunity slip through their fingers.

A Stuttering Finish Threatens a Historic Return

Forest’s recent slump can be traced directly to a lack of firepower in the final third. Nuno Espírito Santo’s men have failed to score more than one goal in five of their last six matches across all competitions, and while their defence remains relatively sturdy, it’s clear the attacking unit has lost its spark at the most crucial point of the season.

Nuno will hope to rediscover that cutting edge here at the City Ground, where Forest have typically been stronger this season. Encouragement could come from the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign, when Forest left the King Power Stadium with an emphatic 3-1 victory. That win was one of their more polished attacking displays, and they’ll aim to channel that performance as they seek to complete a first league double over their East Midlands rivals since the 1994/95 season.

Leicester’s Pride and Progress

For Leicester City, the outlook has remained bleak for much of this season. Relegation was confirmed earlier in the campaign, and their descent has been as painful as it has been predictable. But a glimmer of relief arrived last weekend when the Foxes comfortably dispatched bottom-placed Southampton 2-0 at the King Power. That win was significant for two reasons: it confirmed they won’t finish bottom of the Premier League, and it was their fifth league victory of the season—a modest return, but something to cling to.

The trip to Nottingham offers the rare chance for Leicester to claim back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since October. However, any aspirations of ending the campaign on a high are tempered by their dismal away form. Leicester are winless in their last seven away league games (D1, L6), and more damningly, have managed just one win from their last 18 league visits to the City Ground (D5, L12). That statistic paints a daunting picture ahead of Sunday’s clash.

Midlands Rivalry with More Than Just Pride at Stake

Despite their differing fortunes, there is no shortage of motivation for either side in this East Midlands derby. Forest will be eager to reignite their push for Europe and restore confidence among their fans, while Leicester—freed from the burden of expectation—may find the relaxed mindset conducive to another strong performance.

Both sides are also chasing personal milestones. Forest striker Chris Wood, who has often been a talismanic figure up front, is just one goal contribution away from reaching a century in the Premier League (88 goals, 11 assists).

For Leicester, veteran striker Jamie Vardy—still the heartbeat of the club in many respects—netted against Southampton last weekend and now sits on 199 goals in all competitions for the Foxes. One more, and he joins an elite group of English forwards with 200 goals for a single club.

Head-to-Head and Tactical Notes

Forest will look to press high and exploit Leicester’s defensive frailties, particularly out wide where full-back cover has been inconsistent. Meanwhile, Leicester’s pace on the counter-attack, led by Vardy and supported by the likes of Stephy Mavididi, remains a threat—particularly against teams pushing forward.

The history of this fixture leans heavily in favour of Forest at home. Leicester’s inability to string together results on the road only adds to the challenge, and unless they pull off something special, Forest’s European hopes could receive a timely boost.

Stat Pack

• Hot stat: Nottingham Forest have won just one of their ten Premier League matches this season when conceding the opening goal (W1, D1, L8).
• Forest home form: Forest have collected over 60% of their total points this season at home.
• Leicester’s away woes: The Foxes have conceded 2+ goals in six of their last seven away games.
• First-half trend: Leicester have trailed at half-time in 19 matches this season—joint-most in the league.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Leicester

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Nott’m Forest v Leicester, 2024/25 | Premier League