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Nottingham Forest continue their pre-season preparations with a behind-closed-doors friendly against Vitoria at the Estadio de Nora at Sunday lunchtime.
The game is part of the Tricky Trees' 12-day training camp in Portugal, where they have already played Blackburn Rovers and face another friendly against Sporting CP.
Meanwhile, Vitoria have already played four friendlies in the lead up to the new season, winning them all.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Nottingham Forest vs. Vitoria key stats
- Forest have won both their pre-season friendlies so far.
- Vitoria lost their last three games in the 2025/26 season.
- Forest only lost once in four matches against Portuguese opposition last campaign (W2, D1).
Nottingham Forest vs. Vitoria preview: Tricky Trees to taste another win?
Nottingham Forest vs Vitoria — Tale of the Tape
| Nottingham Forest | vs | Vitoria |
|---|---|---|
| 16th (Premier League) | Position | 9th (Liga Portugal) |
| 44 | Points | 42 |
| 48 | Goals For | 39 |
| 51 | Goals Against | 51 |
| 9 | Clean Sheets | 10 |
| 17th | Home / Away Rank | 13th |
Forest have appointed their fifth permanent manager in a year in Oliver Glasner, who joins after building an excellent reputation at Crystal Palace.
Indeed, the Austrian won the club their first major trophy in the FA Cup, before winning the Conference League last season.
Forest were also in European action last campaign but could only reach the semi-finals of the Europa League, and their European run hurt their Premier League form as they finished 16th.
Elliot Anderson has joined Manchester City in a blow to the Tricky Trees, but Xaver Schlager has come in on a free transfer – a player Glasner knows well as his fellow countryman and the fact he played under him at Wolfsburg.
As for Vitoria, their ninth-placed finish last season was their lowest in nine campaigns, and they will also have no European football again after missing out last term.
Tiago Margarido is the new manager trying to put things right, and he is certainly getting a tune out of his players with four victories in pre-season, including most recently against Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli, who finished third last campaign.
The squad is looking fit and fired up, with no fresh concerns and a strong starting XI expected to be named that should test Forest.
However, the Premier League outfit are still likely to be the favourites here.
Nottingham Forest vs. Vitoria form guide & betting tips
| Nottingham Forest | vs | Vitoria |
|---|---|---|
DLDWW |
Form | LWWWW |
| 9 | Goals For | 13 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 4 |
WW |
Friendlies | WWW |
Whispers predicts: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Vitoria
*odds unavailable at time of writing
Although odds are unavailable at the time of writing, we expect Forest to be installed as the favourites with their Premier League quality.
In terms of recommended bets when the odds become available, BTTS – Yes could be one to back with both teams having scored in all of their pre-season friendlies so far.
Igor Jesus has netted in both of Forest's friendly wins so far, and so Jesus to score anytime could also be a bet worth watching.
Overall, given both teams' forms and the fact it is being played in Portugal, we expect Vitoria to give Forest a good game, and so Correct score – 2-1 is our final pick.
> BTTS – Yes at N/A | Likelihood: Possible
> Jesus to score anytime at N/A | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score – 2-1 at N/A | Likelihood: Outsider