Nottingham Forest head to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland in a match-day 33 encounter, hoping for a win to edge closer to safety as the 2025-26 English Premier League season reaches its final stretch.
Ayomide Oguntimehin provides the lowdown for the April 25th clash.
Sunderland vs Nottingham Forest match preview
Sunderland enter this clash on the back of an agonizing 4-3 defeat to Aston Villa in their last encounter, where they conceded a stoppage-time goal to lose despite fighting back to pull level from two goals down.
The Black Cats are 11th on the standings with 46 points and are only two points behind Chelsea in sixth place, giving them an unlikely chance of finishing in an European spot if they manage to secure favourable results until the end of the campaign.
📺 Highlights of today’s thrilling encounter at Villa Park. pic.twitter.com/9LrN44SR9l
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) April 19, 2026
Nottingham Forest, on the other hand, are fighting for survival and need a couple more wins to keep their top-flight status and ensure they remain in the Premier League for another campaign. The Tricky Trees recorded an emphatic 4-1 win over Burnley in their last match, which continues their recent streak and they also have an Europa League semifinal against Aston Villa later this month to look up to.
Forest are five points clear of the drop zone with just five matches remaining for them this season, with fixtures against Sunderland, Chelsea, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Bournemouth to come
Sunderland vs Nottingham Forest Head-to-Head
(Last five meetings)
- 27.09.2025 – Nottingham Forest 0-1 Sunderland
- 19.07.2024 – Nottingham Forest 1-1 Sunderland
- 30.12.2017 – Nottingham Forest 0-1 Sunderland
- 12.09.2017 – Sunderland 0-1 Nottingham Forest
- 27.08.2008 – Nottingham Forest 1-2 Sunderland
Sunderland have dominated this clash in recent outings, winning three of the last five matches between both sides, with Nottingham Forest winning just once.
Best betting odds
Away (Nottingham Forest) to Win or Draw – 1.50 (via 1xBet)
Prediction
Nottingham Forest are on a good run of form and with their survival chances on the line, they are expected to see out a favourable result from this encounter to edge closer to safety this season.
Leading the way. 🔝 pic.twitter.com/bnooTNwMIC
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 20, 2026
Recent form: Sunderland
Sunderland have been inconsistent in recent outings and have only managed three wins in their last eight matches across all competitions.
The Black Cats have also managed just one win from their last four home matches in the Premier League, recording a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in their last match at the Stadium of Light, which was also their only shutout in the last five games.
Recent form: Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest are currently on an impressive run of form and are unbeaten in their last seven games across all competitions, including the last five in the Premier League.
However, the Tricky Trees have kept only one clean sheet in their last seven league outings and are unbeaten in their last two away games in the Premier League.
Player to watch
Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest)
Iwobi and four other highest earning Nigerian players in the EPL
Super Eagles defender Ola Aina has become one of Nottingham Forest’s best performers this season and will be eyeing another important contribution against Sunderland.
The right-back will be a major threat with his marauding runs and brilliant crossing ability from the right, which could help his side secure a favourable result from the clash.
