Match Preview: Sunderland vs Nottingham Forest - prediction, team news, live stream

Black Cats Host Tricky Forest Test

Sunderland welcomes Nottingham Forest to the Stadium of Light on Friday, with the home side seeking to build on their recent form and push for a top-half finish in the Premier League. With Arsenal and Manchester City battling for the title, the mid-table clash takes on added significance for both teams, as they look to secure a strong end to the season and potential European qualification. The current standings show a tight pack from fourth to eighth, with several teams still in the mix for a top-seven finish.

Match Details

• Competition: Premier League (England)
• Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
• Kick-off: Friday, 24 April 2026 • 20:00 UK Time
• Referee: Darren England, England

Current Form

Sunderland's home form has been inconsistent, with two wins and two losses in their last four matches at the Stadium of Light. However, they have shown resilience in bouncing back from defeats, and their overall form suggests they are capable of taking points off most teams. Nottingham Forest, on the other hand, have drawn two of their last four away games, indicating they can be difficult to break down on the road. Their recent wins suggest they have the quality to trouble Sunderland, making this a closely contested encounter.

Team News & Lineups

Sunderland will be without several key players, including N. Angulo, J. T. Bi, R. Mundle, and B. Traore, due to various injuries. This could lead to some changes in their typical 4-2-3-1 lineup. Nottingham Forest also have injury concerns, with W. Boly, C. Hudson-Odoi, John Victor, and Murillo all missing. These absences may force Forest to adapt their 4-4-2 formation, potentially leading to a more cautious approach on the road.

Head-to-Head

The recent head-to-head history between these two teams is limited, but Sunderland's 1-0 win in the last meeting suggests they may have a slight psychological edge. This result will give them confidence, but Forest will be eager to avenge that defeat and prove themselves as a formidable opponent.

Tactical Analysis

The contrasting formations of the two teams will be a key battleground in this match. Sunderland's 4-2-3-1, which typically sees them dominate possession, will be tested by Forest's 4-4-2, which often leads to a more direct and quick counter-attacking style. With Sunderland usually enjoying around 61% possession, they will need to be clever in breaking down Forest's defense, while also being wary of the visitors' ability to catch them off guard on the break. Forest, on the other hand, will look to exploit any weaknesses in Sunderland's defense and use their pace to stretch the home side.

Match Prediction

Given Sunderland's home form and Forest's injury woes, the Black Cats are likely to have the upper hand in this encounter. Expecting around 3 goals in the match, with Sunderland's possession-based game potentially leading to a 2-1 win. However, Forest's ability to counter-attack and the potential for set-piece goals means this match could go either way, and a draw is also a plausible outcome.