Ipswich vs Nottingham Forest Preview
- Forest to win
- Hudson-Odoi to score or assist
Ipswich Town are in desperate need of a turnaround as they prepare to host a high-flying Nottingham Forest side at Portman Road.
Kieran McKenna’s men are the only team in England’s top four divisions without a league win in 2025 (D2, L7), leaving them six points adrift of safety. With four of their next six matches coming against top-six opposition, the Tractor Boys face a daunting task to avoid relegation.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest are riding high after a 1-0 victory over Manchester City, further cementing their place in the UEFA Champions League qualification race.
However, manager Nuno Espírito Santo will be eager to address his team’s recent poor away form, having lost each of their last three away games in the Premier League.
Can Ipswich pull off a much-needed shock, or will Forest extend their dominance over newly promoted teams? Here’s a full match preview.
Ipswich’s Dire Run and Struggles at Portman Road
Ipswich’s winless start to 2025 has left them firmly in the relegation zone, and their 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace last weekend only deepened their troubles.
Despite remaining competitive, with three of their last four league defeats coming by a single goal, results have not been going their way.
The biggest concern for McKenna is Ipswich’s woeful home record—they have won just once at Portman Road all season (D4, L9).
However, that solitary victory did come against Chelsea, proving they are capable of upsetting top-level opposition. They will need another inspired performance here if they are to take anything against a Champions League-chasing Forest side.
Nottingham Forest’s Champions League Charge and Away Woes
After pulling off a stunning 1-0 win over Manchester City last weekend, Nottingham Forest arrive in buoyant spirits.
That victory tightened their grip on a top-four spot, and manager Nuno Espírito Santo will be eager to continue his team’s momentum as he marks his 50th Premier League match in charge.
However, Forest have hit a concerning slump on the road, losing each of their last three away games.
That is more away defeats than they suffered in their previous 13 fixtures combined (W9, D2, L2). If they want to remain in the top-four battle, they must rediscover their away form and avoid slipping up against struggling opposition.
One major positive for Forest is their dominance against newly-promoted teams. They are currently unbeaten in their last ten Premier League games against promoted sides (W7, D3), winning each of the last six in a row.
Having already beaten Ipswich twice this season—including an FA Cup win on penalties earlier this month—Forest will be confident heading into this fixture.
Head-to-Head & Historical Records
- Reverse fixture result: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Ipswich
- FA Cup meeting (earlier this month): Nottingham Forest 2-2 Ipswich (Forest won on penalties)
- Ipswich’s home league record this season: W1, D4, L9
- Nottingham Forest’s away form: Lost last 3 matches (more than in previous 13 combined)
- Forest’s record vs newly-promoted teams: Unbeaten in last 10 games (W7, D3), winning last 6 in a row
Forest’s strong record against promoted teams and Ipswich’s terrible home form suggest the visitors have a significant advantage going into this clash.
Key Players to Watch
Kalvin Phillips (Ipswich)
Phillips has missed both previous meetings against Forest this season but is expected to start here. Interestingly, he has been sent off twice against Forest in his career, most recently while playing for West Ham last season.
His presence in midfield will be key in breaking up Forest’s attacking rhythm and ensuring Ipswich remain defensively solid.
Callum Hudson-Odoi (Nottingham Forest)
Hudson-Odoi has been one of Forest’s key attacking threats, with three of his five Premier League goals this season being match openers.
He also scored the winning penalty in Forest’s FA Cup shootout victory against Ipswich earlier this month, meaning he will be full of confidence heading into this fixture.
Prediction: Can Ipswich End Their Drought?
Ipswich have been fighting hard, but their inability to turn performances into wins continues to plague them. Their home struggles make this a tough assignment, especially against a Forest side that thrives against newly promoted teams.
However, Forest’s away form has been poor, and if Ipswich can frustrate them early, they could snatch a result. That said, Forest’s superior quality and ability to grind out wins against struggling teams should give them the edge.
Predicted Score: Ipswich 0-2 Nottingham Forest
Forest should return to winning ways on the road, while Ipswich’s winless 2025 looks set to continue, further deepening their relegation worries.
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Ipswich v Nott’m Forest, 2024/25 | Premier League