Nottingham Forest vs. Leicester City Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 11 May 2025 - bettingexpert
The Premier League clash on 11 May 2025 sees Nottingham Forest host Leicester City at the City Ground in Nottingham. As we near the end of the season, both teams have a lot to play for, but for very different reasons. Nottingham Forest, currently 6th with 61 points, are fighting for a potential Champions League spot, sitting just three points behind 5th-placed Chelsea.
Leicester City, unfortunately, find themselves in 19th place with 21 points and have already been relegated. Under the guidance of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Leicester will be looking to salvage some pride with standout players like Jamie Vardy, who might be playing his final games for the Foxes.
Nottingham Forest, coached by Nuno Espirito Santo, haven’t been in the best form recently (DLLWL), but they remain the bookmakers’ favourites with odds of 1.34 for a home win. Leicester has managed just one clean sheet in their last five matches and tend to concede 2.1 goals on average per game.
Referee Tony Harrington will oversee the match, and the recommended bet is for Nottingham Forest to win the first half.
Nottingham Forest vs Leicester City Prediction & Betting Tip
| Nottingham Forest vs Leicester City Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Nottingham Forest to win the 1st half | 1.34 |
- Nottingham Forest tend to dominate early in matches, providing a strong case for them to take the lead in the first half.
- Leicester have struggled defensively, often conceding early goals, which plays into Forest’s hands.
- The home team is more ambitious in their campaign, aiming to secure crucial points to keep their European hopes alive.
Nottingham Forest vs Leicester City Odds
| Nottingham Forest vs Leicester City Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Nottingham Forest | 1.34 |
| Draw | 5.24 |
| Leicester City | 8.70 |
Given the odds, Nottingham Forest is the clear favourite to win this match. The bookmakers suggest Forest has a significant advantage, driven by their higher league position and Leicester’s struggles, including their impending relegation.
With Leicester conceding an average of 2.1 goals per game this season, Forest’s chances look even stronger.
Forest’s need to secure points for European qualification further bolsters their odds, while Leicester’s relegation woes place them as heavy underdogs in this fixture.
Nottingham Forest Team Analysis
Nottingham Forest Recent Performance
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Palace | Nottingham Forest | 2025-05-05 | Premier League | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Nottingham Forest | Brentford | 2025-05-01 | Premier League | 0-2 (Loss) |
| Nottingham Forest | Manchester City | 2025-04-27 | FA Cup | 0-2 (Loss) |
| Tottenham | Nottingham Forest | 2025-04-21 | Premier League | 1-2 (Win) |
| Nottingham Forest | Everton | 2025-04-12 | Premier League | 0-1 (Loss) |
Recent Form: DLLWL
Nottingham Forest has struggled to find consistency recently. Over their last five matches, they’ve drawn one, lost three, and managed only one win. They haven’t kept a clean sheet in these games and are averaging just 0.60 goals scored per match. This recent dip in form is a worry, especially as they vie for a top-five finish and a potential Champions League spot. The team seems to miss the creative spark, despite Morgan Gibbs-White’s impressive season in midfield, contributing significantly to their attacks with 5 goals and 9 assists.
Nottingham Forest Key Players
Nottingham Forest boasts some impactful players who can make a difference on match day. Chris Wood is the standout, having netted 19 goals this season. His ability to find the back of the net will be crucial, especially against a Leicester side that concedes 2.1 goals on average per match.
Morgan Gibbs-White is another key player to watch. With 5 goals and 9 assists, his vision and technique make him a critical playmaker. His potential move to Manchester City has garnered attention, further emphasizing his importance.
Expected lineup for Nottingham Forest:
- Goalkeeper: Matz Sels
- Defenders: Ola Aina, Nikola Milenkovic, Felipe Morato, Neco Williams
- Midfielders: Ryan Yates, Nicolas Dominguez, Anthony Elanga, Morgan Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson
- Forwards: Chris Wood
Key individual battles to watch include Chris Wood against Leicester’s centre-backs Conor Coady and Wout Faes, and Gibbs-White’s midfield tussle with Wilfred Ndidi.
Nottingham Forest Suspensions & Injuries
Injuries could play a pivotal role in Nottingham Forest’s performance against Leicester. Here are the details:
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Eric da Silva Moreira | Ankle injury | Doubtful |
| Callum Hudson-Odoi | Hamstring injury | Late May 2025 |
| Murillo | Knock injury | Mid May 2025 |
Eric da Silva Moreira and Callum Hudson-Odoi’s absences reduce Forest’s defensive depth and attacking flexibility. Murillo’s potential unavailability exacerbates the defensive concerns, leaving Nuno Espirito Santo with limited options.
These injuries may affect Forest’s balance and strategy, compelling them to rely heavily on their remaining key players to secure a crucial win.
Nottingham Forest Tactics and Formation
Nottingham Forest Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Chris Wood, top scorer with 19 goals this season.
- Midfield Duo: Ryan Yates and Nicolas Dominguez, providing stability and control.
- Creative Spark: Morgan Gibbs-White, heavily linked with a move to Manchester City, facilitating attacks and adding vision with 5 goals and 9 assists.
- Defensive Setup: Despite no clean sheets in their last five games, a back four featuring Ola Aina, Nikola Milenkovic, Felipe Morato, and Neco Williams aims to shore up the defence.
Forest relies on a balanced approach, utilizing Gibbs-White’s creativity and Wood’s finishing to break down defences. Yates and Dominguez are crucial in shielding the backline, while Elanga and Anderson add width and pace. The absence of Murillo might shake things up, but Nuno Espirito Santo’s side remains solid in their tactical integrity.
Leicester Team Analysis
Leicester Recent Performance
Leicester’s recent form in the Premier League can be described as inconsistent. Over their last five matches, they have managed only one win, one draw, and three losses, leaving them near the bottom of the standings in 19th place with 21 points.
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leicester | Southampton | 2025-05-03 | Premier League | 2-0 (Win) |
| Wolverhampton | Leicester | 2025-04-26 | Premier League | 3-0 (Loss) |
| Leicester | Liverpool | 2025-04-20 | Premier League | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Brighton | Leicester | 2025-04-12 | Premier League | 2-2 (Draw) |
| Leicester | Newcastle | 2025-04-07 | Premier League | 0-3 (Loss) |
Leicester have averaged 0.80 goals per game in their last five appearances and secured only one clean sheet during that span. Coach Ruud van Nistelrooy’s team has conceded markedly more, averaging 2.1 goals against per game for the season, showcasing defensive vulnerabilities. The victory against Southampton, though coming as a relief, indicated possible momentum that they would aim to carry forward.
Leicester Key Players
Leicester will look to their senior players to step up in this crucial fixture. Leading the charge is their top scorer, Jamie Vardy, who has bagged 8 goals this season. His experience and knack for finding the net will be crucial against Forest’s defensive line.
Key midfielders like Wilfred Ndidi and Oliver Skipp will need to dominate the midfield battle and control the pace of the game. Their ability to disrupt Forest’s play and transition to attack quickly could define Leicester’s performance.
Expected lineup for Leicester:
- Goalkeeper: Jakub Stolarczyk
- Defenders: James Justin, Wout Faes, Conor Coady, Luke Thomas
- Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Oliver Skipp, Kasey McAteer, Jordan Ayew, Bilal El Khannouss
- Forward: Jamie Vardy
Leicester Suspensions & Injuries
Leicester have no suspensions going into this match, but their injury list is quite extensive and includes several key players, which could seriously impact their performance against Nottingham Forest.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Issahaku Fatawu | Cruciate ligament injury | Late August 2025 |
| Stephy Mavididi | Muscle injury | Late July 2025 |
| Mads Hermansen | Hernia | Late June 2025 |
| Ricardo Pereira | Muscle injury | Late May 2025 |
| Bobby Reid | Muscle injury | Late June 2025 |
| Facundo Buonanotte | Concussion | Doubtful |
With key players like Issahaku Fatawu and Stephy Mavididi out, Leicester may struggle to find the depth required to challenge a strong Nottingham Forest side. The current injuries will likely force manager Ruud van Nistelrooy to rely more heavily on the available squad members, potentially affecting team cohesion and performance.
Leicester Tactics and Formation
Leicester’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Jamie Vardy, with 8 goals this season.
- Midfield Duo: Wilfred Ndidi and Oliver Skipp anchor the midfield, providing defensive stability and ball distribution.
- Wingers: Kasey McAteer and Bilal El Khannouss, who will be crucial in driving forward and delivering crosses to Vardy.
- Defensive Setup: James Justin, Wout Faes, Conor Coady, and Luke Thomas form the back four, tasked with maintaining a solid defensive line.
Leicester will focus on utilizing Vardy’s pace and experience up front, while Ndidi and Skipp will look to control the midfield battle. Given their recent defensive struggles, a more disciplined approach at the back will be key to their strategy.
Nottingham Forest vs Leicester Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leicester City | Nottingham Forest | 2024-10-25 | Premier League | 1-3 (Loss) |
| Nottingham Forest | Leicester City | 2023-01-14 | Premier League | 2-0 (Win) |
| Leicester City | Nottingham Forest | 2022-10-03 | Premier League | 4-0 (Win) |
| Nottingham Forest | Leicester City | 2022-02-06 | FA Cup | 4-1 (Win) |
| Nottingham Forest | Leicester City | 2014-02-19 | Championship | 2-2 (Draw) |
In the last five encounters, Nottingham Forest have had the upper hand with three wins, including a notable 3-1 away victory in their last meeting. Leicester’s only win in this period came with a dominant 4-0 performance back in October 2022. Expect a competitive match as Nottingham Forest look to maintain their advantage in this rivalry.
Odds accurate as of 09 May 2025 14:16, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
