As the Premier League season draws to a close, an exciting clash awaits at the City Ground where Nottingham Forest hosts AFC Bournemouth on May 24, 2026. The match kicks off at 17:00, marking the end of Round 38. Both teams approach this fixture with different goals. Nottingham Forest, sitting comfortably at 16th place with 43 points, has secured their Premier League spot for another season. This allows them to play freely, without the fear of relegation. Bournemouth, on the other hand, is ambitiously eyeing a Champions League qualification spot. They’re at 6th place with 56 points, and every point counts for a top-six finish.
In recent matchups, Bournemouth has dominated, winning four out of the last five encounters. The most decisive of these was their resounding 5-0 victory on January 25, 2025. Key players to watch include Morgan Gibbs-White for Forest, who has scored 14 goals this season, and Eli Junior Kroupi for Bournemouth, with 13 goals to his name. On the sidelines, managers Vítor Pereira for Forest and Andoni Iraola for Bournemouth bring their strategic acumen into play, promising an intriguing tactical battle. While Forest deals with injury woes in both their defense and attack, Bournemouth’s only absentee is Julio Soler. This gives them a boost in their chase for European football.
Nottingham Forest vs AFC Bournemouth Prediction & Betting tip
Bournemouth’s recent form and their drive to secure a spot in the top-six make them likely to dictate play against Forest, who don’t face relegation threats. The Cherries have a tactical edge over Forest, evident in their head-to-head dominance. Bournemouth’s balanced attack, combined with Forest’s defensive struggles due to injuries, gives them the psychological upper hand. Expect Bournemouth to play to their strengths and capitalize on Forest’s weakened backline.
| Recommended Bet | Odds |
|---|---|
| Bournemouth to win | 2.18 |
Nottingham Forest vs AFC Bournemouth Odds
Looking at the odds, Bournemouth is the favorite with odds at 2.18. This aligns with their stronger league standing and better head-to-head performance against Forest. There are no other betting lines provided, such as for a Forest win, a draw, over/under goals, or Asian handicaps. This narrows down the focus to the match winner market, where betting on Bournemouth appears reasonable given these insights.
| Market | Selection | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Match Winner | Bournemouth to win | 2.18 |
Home team Team Analysis
Home team Recent Performance
Nottingham Forest’s end-of-season performance has shown resilience, although results have varied, achieving a form rating of 7. Safely in 16th place with 43 points, their recent results feature two wins, one draw, and two losses. This includes notable wins over Chelsea and Aston Villa (Europa League), showcasing their potential when in form. However, losses to Manchester United and a big loss to Aston Villa reveal their weaknesses, especially against strong attacking teams. With no relegation pressure, Forest under Vítor Pereira might experiment as they aim for a positive finish.
| Opponent | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester United vs NFO | 3-2 L | Premier League |
| NFO vs Newcastle | 1-1 D | Premier League |
| Aston Villa vs NFO | 4-0 L | Europa League Final Stage |
| Chelsea vs NFO | 1-3 W | Premier League |
| NFO vs Aston Villa | 1-0 W | Europa League Final Stage |
Home team Key Players
Morgan Gibbs-White is a standout for Forest, with 14 goals, crucial in orchestrating their attack. Chris Wood provides an aerial threat, vital at set-pieces. Upfront, Igor Jesus adds speed, while Omari Hutchinson brings agility from the flanks. Midfield anchor Nicolas Domínguez plays a key role in dictating play and connecting defense with attack. Elliot Anderson adds creativity, scoring from midfield. In defense, Neco Williams and Luca Netz offer stability and width, with Matz Sels providing reliable goalkeeping.
Home team Suspensions & Injuries
Forest faces several injuries that challenge the squad’s depth, especially affecting their defense and attacking options. Major absentees include Nicolò Savona, out for the season, and Willy Boly with knee issues until late May. Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ola Aina, Murillo, and Dan Ndoye also contend with injuries, putting greater strain on Pereira’s options and potentially necessitating youth inclusions to fill important gaps.
| Player | Injury Type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nicolò Savona | Knee injury | Out for season |
| Willy Boly | Knee injury | Late May 2026 |
| Callum Hudson-Odoi | Muscle injury | Mid July 2026 |
| Ola Aina | Knock injury | Late May 2026 |
| Murillo | Hamstring injury | Late May 2026 |
| Dan Ndoye | Knock injury | Late May 2026 |
Home team Tactics and Formation
Pereira is expected to employ a 4-4-2 formation, with Wood and Jesus leading the attack. The defense will feature Williams and Netz as full-backs, flanking the central pairing of Milenković and Morato. Domínguez and Anderson will likely partner in midfield, forming a hard-working duo that transitions effectively. Hutchinson and Gibbs-White will provide width and creativity on the wings. Quick transitions and set-piece strategies will be pivotal as Forest aims to exploit Bournemouth’s defensive gaps while maintaining a solid shape to counter counterattacks.
Away team Team Analysis
Away team Recent Performance
Bournemouth arrives at the City Ground in excellent form, boasting a form rating of 11 and sitting 6th with 56 points. They’ve been unbeaten since early January, showing great consistency. Victories against Fulham, Crystal Palace, and Newcastle have strengthened their position in the league. Draws against Manchester City and Leeds showcase their tactical discipline and attacking depth. With their eyes on a Champions League spot, Bournemouth’s form indicates they can maintain pressure and exploit any weaknesses in Forest’s lineup.
| Opponent | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| Bournemouth vs Man City | 1-1 D | Premier League |
| Fulham vs Bournemouth | 0-1 W | Premier League |
| Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace | 3-0 W | Premier League |
| Bournemouth vs Leeds | 2-2 D | Premier League |
| Newcastle vs Bournemouth | 1-2 W | Premier League |
Away team Key Players
Eli Junior Kroupi remains a key player for Bournemouth, showcasing his finishing skills with 13 goals. Rayan Vitor adds creativity from midfield, controlling tempo and breaking defenses. Marcus Tavernier is a constant threat on the wings, while Alex Scott ensures smooth transitions between defense and attack. Tyler Adams plays a defensive role in midfield, balancing the team and leading pressing efforts. Upfront, Evanilson stretches rival defenses. Marcos Senesi’s impending move to Tottenham follows a standout season with Bournemouth, underlining his defensive prowess and leadership.
Away team Suspensions & Injuries
Bournemouth is in good shape with minimal injury concerns, boosting their prospects. The only notable absentee is Julio Soler, sidelined with a muscle injury until late May. This minor disruption has a limited impact due to the squad’s overall fitness and depth, allowing robust midfield options like Adams, Scott, and Tavernier to cover. With no suspensions, Bournemouth approaches this match with a nearly full-strength squad.
| Player | Injury Type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Julio Soler | Muscle injury | Late May 2026 |
Away team Tactics and Formation
Under Andoni Iraola’s guidance, Bournemouth will likely stick to a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Evanilson spearheading the attack. Senesí and Hill form a reliable central defensive partnership, while Smith and Truffert offer width in defense. In midfield, Adams and Vitor handle transitions and support Scott as the creative fulcrum. Kroupi and Tavernier run the flanks, providing crosses and stretching defenses. High pressing and ball retention will be key, alongside swift counter-attacks to challenge Forest’s defense.
Nottingham Forest vs AFC Bournemouth Head-to-Head Statistics
Bournemouth has a strong track record in this fixture, winning four of the last five games against Nottingham Forest. Their emphatic 5-0 win on January 25, 2025, is still fresh, showcasing Bournemouth’s ability to capitalize on Forest’s defensive lapses. Draws at the City Ground, particularly the 1-1 results in February and August 2024, highlight Forest’s potential challenge if they remain resilient. Despite this, Bournemouth has the psychological edge, backed by their positive goal difference and clinical nature in these meetings. Curtailing Bournemouth’s goal-scoring tendency will be crucial for Forest.
| Date | Fixture | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-10-26 | Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest | 2-0 W |
| 2025-01-25 | Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest | 5-0 W |
| 2024-08-17 | Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth | 1-1 D |
| 2024-02-04 | Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest | 1-1 D |
| 2023-12-23 | Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth | 2-3 W |
Venue and Weather
The City Ground is known for its vibrant atmosphere, with passionate fans ensuring an exciting end-of-season encounter. The pitch supports fast play, fitting both teams’ tactics of swift offensive transitions and quick passing sequences.
Weather forecasts for May 24, 2026, call for clear skies with a pleasant temperature of 23.9°C. The gentle breeze, blowing at 2.5 m/s, has little effect on gameplay, allowing both teams to execute their strategies without weather disruptions. These conditions promise a fitting backdrop for a match where both sides seek a memorable season-end finale.
