Ipswich vs Nottingham Forest Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2026-27 English Premier League

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Ipswich welcome Nottingham Forest to Portman Road on Friday in the 2026-27 English Premier League, with both sides looking to bounce back from defeat last weekend and Forest in particular searching for an end to a run of three straight losses.

Kick-off date/time: 23 October 2026 at 8:00 pm

How to watch on TV & online: UK – Sky Sports & Sky Go / USA – USA Network, Fubo & Peacock Premium

Ipswich preview: Gutsy defeat at the Etihad

Ipswich lost 3-2 at Man City last Saturday but they played their part in an entertaining contest. Daizen Maeda levelled in the 21st minute after Phil Foden's early opener and Zian Flemming converted a late penalty against the Premier League leaders, but it wasn't enough after Erling Haaland had struck twice for the hosts.

Despite the defeat, it was a second successive Premier League game in which Ipswich scored twice, following a 2-1 home win over Fulham.

Nottingham Forest preview: Resolute but beaten

Nottingham Forest were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal at the City Ground on Sunday, with Noni Madueke's 80th-minute goal settling the contest after a goalless first half. There were positives to take for Forest, though, as they kept the reigning Premier League champions at bay for 80 minutes.

It was a third successive Premier League defeat for Forest, following losses to Crystal Palace (3-1) and Coventry (1-0), and they have now failed to score in each of their last four home games across all competitions.

Ipswich team news: Squad in good health

Sasa Lukic, who missed out against Man City, is the only doubt with a minor groin injury, but the early signs are that he should recover in time for Friday's fixture.

Further details will appear here following pre-match press conferences…

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Walton; O'Shea, Diop, Greaves, Davis; Florentino, Lukic; Ouattara, Enciso, Maeda; Emersonn

Unavailable:

Questionable: Lukic (Injured)

Nottingham Forest team news: Gibbs-White to return?

Key creator Morgan Gibbs-White was close to making the Arsenal game so it seems probable that he will return for this one, which could see James McAtee partner Xaver Schlager in midfield at the expense of Nicolas Dominguez.

Further details will appear here following pre-match press conferences…

Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Sels; Cunha, Diomande, Murillo; Munoz, Schlager, McAtee, Williams; Gibbs-White, Ndoye; Delap

Unavailable: Savona (Injured), Jesus (Injured)

Questionable: Gibbs-White (Injured)

Key stats

• Forest have won the last four Premier League meetings, including both in 2024/25: 1-0 at the City Ground and 4-2 at Portman Road.
• Ipswich won the first two Premier League meetings, in 1992/93, but have lost all four since.
• The 4-2 at Portman Road in March 2025 is the highest-scoring of the six meetings.
• Ipswich have conceded in 26 consecutive Premier League matches, extending their club record. Their last clean sheet was on 30 December 2024 (2-0 v Chelsea).
• Coming into Matchweek 8, Ipswich are one of only two teams without a clean sheet this season (with Man Utd), and their matches have averaged 3.71 goals.
• Ipswich have won two of their three home games this season (2-1 v Sunderland, 2-1 v Fulham), but only three of 22 home Premier League games since returning to the top flight in 2024/25.
• Forest have lost their last three games and have five points from seven, one of their three lowest totals at this stage of a Premier League season.
• Forest have scored in 13 consecutive away Premier League games, a club record dating back to 3 January 2026.
• Coming into Matchweek 8, Forest's matches have averaged 2.00 goals, the lowest in the division, and they have failed to score in four games, joint-most with Coventry and Tottenham.
• Ipswich have never won a Premier League game on a Friday (P3 D1 L2). Forest have won three of seven (L4).
• On this day in 1994 (23 October), Ipswich lost 2-0 at Chelsea.

Ipswich vs Nottingham Forest prediction

Ipswich showed plenty of fight at the Etihad, scoring twice against the Premier League leaders after a 2-1 win over Fulham the week before, but defensive frailties remain, with the Tractor Boys yet to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League this season. Their Premier League matches in 2026-27 are averaging 3.71 goals.

Forest are short on confidence after three straight defeats and have struggled for goals at the City Ground, but they have been far more potent on the road, scoring in each of their last 13 away Premier League games dating back to last season.

With Ipswich unlikely to keep the visitors out and both sides capable of finding the net, we think both teams to score is the way to go here.

Ipswich vs Nottingham Forest tip: Both teams to score