Two sides heading in opposite directions will meet on Sunday as in-form Bournemouth welcome a struggling Nottingham Forest side, now under the guidance of new manager Sean Dyche, for matchday nine of the Premier League.
The Cherries have made a flying start to the 2025-26 campaign, sitting fourth in the top-flight standings with 15 points, while the Tricky Trees find themselves in the relegation zone with only five points to show for their efforts.
Sunday’s contest marks Dyche’s first Premier League outing in charge of Forest, though the 54-year-old enjoyed a winning start to life at the City Ground with a 2-0 victory over FC Porto in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
Read our Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest predictions and preview to find out, but remember to also check our other Premier League tips.
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Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest predictions: Tricky Trees aim for new manager bounce
Key stats:
- Bournemouth have triumphed in 13 of their last 19 Premier League matches against sides starting the day in the relegation zone.
- The Cherries won the corresponding fixture last season, keeping a clean sheet in the process.
- Eleven of Bournemouth’s last 17 home league wins have come with a clean sheet.
- Forest have scored the joint-fewest goals in the Premier League this season, netting only five.
Correct score prediction: Bournemouth 2-0 Nottingham Forest
Bournemouth are flying high this term, showing a level of consistency and attacking edge that sharply contrasts with Forest’s early-season troubles. The home side look poised to continue their impressive run, with the visitors’ recent defensive fragility and goal drought further tipping the balance in the Cherries’ favour.
Forest have conceded two or more goals in four of their last five away games, while their lack of potency up front continues to undermine any hopes of a turnaround. Given those numbers, the hosts appear well placed to secure another comfortable win.
Pre-match analysis: Hosts more than twice as likely
- HOME: 4/5 (1.80) – 55.6%
- DRAW: 27/10 (3.70) – 27.0%
- AWAY: 16/5 (4.20) – 23.8%
*Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes; subject to change*
The odds clearly underline Bournemouth’s superiority heading into this contest, with the Cherries given a 55.6% chance of victory — more than double the likelihood of Forest’s 23.8%. This is a reflection of the hosts’ positive run of results and the visitors’ ongoing struggles to find rhythm in the league.
Most recent H2H: Cherries aim to extend dominance
The most recent meeting between these two sides was a one-sided affair, as Bournemouth demolished Forest 5-0 at Dean Court in last season’s return fixture. That emphatic result extended the Cherries’ unbeaten run in this fixture to 10 games (W6, D4).
England Premier League 25/01/25
Bournemouth
Nottm Forest
England Premier League 17/08/24
Nottm Forest
Bournemouth
England Premier League 04/02/24
Bournemouth
Nottm Forest
England Premier League 23/12/23
Nottm Forest
Bournemouth
England Premier League 21/01/23
Bournemouth
Nottm Forest
Bournemouth preview: Iraola hopes for David Brooks’s return
Bournemouth will again be without striker Evanilson, who remains sidelined with a calf injury. Head coach Andoni Iraola provided an update on forward Enes Unal, confirming that the Turkish international is progressing well in his recovery from a serious knee problem, although he is unlikely to feature just yet.
David Brooks missed last weekend’s trip to Selhurst Park, but the Spanish manager is optimistic that the right-back could return to action after joining group training this week. Defender Julio Soler has also returned from international duty with Argentina’s under-20 side, but this fixture might come a little too soon for him to be involved.
Predicted XI: Petrovic (GK); Jimenez, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert, Adams, Scott, Tavernier, Kluivert, Semenyo & Kroupi
Bournemouth’s last five results:
- 18/10/25: Crystal Palace 3-3 Bournemouth (D)
- 03/10/25: Bournemouth 3-1 Fulham (W)
- 27/09/25: Leeds 2-2 Bournemouth (D)
- 21/09/25: Bournemouth 0-0 Newcastle (D)
- 13/09/25: Bournemouth 2-1 Brighton (W)
Forest preview: One sidelined, two doubtful
Oleksandr Zinchenko was forced off in midweek with a groin problem and will need to pass a late fitness test to determine his availability for this trip to the south coast. Summer signing Dilane Bakwa is also doubtful after missing recent training sessions due to an unspecified issue.
Right-back Ola Aina remains the only confirmed absentee, with the Nigerian defender not expected to return until early next year, leaving Dyche with limited defensive options.
Predicted XI: Sels (GK); Savona, Murillo, Morato, Milenkovic, Williams, Anderson, Sangare, Luiz; Gibbs-White & Wood
Forest’s last five results:
- 23/10/25: Nottingham 2-0 FC Porto (W)
- 18/10/25: Nottingham 0-3 Chelsea (L)
- 05/10/25: Newcastle 2-0 Nottingham (L)
- 02/10/25: Nottingham 2-3 Midtjylland (L)
- 27/09/25: Nottingham 0-1 Sunderland (L)
Player to watch: Antoine Semenyo
Antoine Semenyo has been in red-hot form this season, with six goals and three assists in the Premier League — only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland has been involved in more.
All eyes will be on Semenyo once more as he looks to maintain his fine run of form against a Forest side he has scored against in consecutive appearances.