Nottingham Forest vs Sunderland Prediction: Black Cats to get a result

Nottingham Forest are still searching for their first win under Ange Postecoglou across all competitions. The Tricky Trees are back in Premier League action on Saturday (17:30 BST, Sky Sports Main Event) as they welcome Sunderland to the City Ground.

The Black Cats fought back with 10 men to earn a point at home to Aston Villa last weekend, and unlike their hosts, they weren't involved in any midweek action. Read on for my Nottingham Forest vs Sunderland predictions, aided by the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Nottingham Forest are having to cope with a few injuries at the moment. Nicolas Dominguez (knee), Murillo (knock), Douglas Luiz and Ola Aina (both hamstring) are all expected to miss out here.

Postecoglou has a decision to make up front. Chris Wood has been a regular source of goals for Forest in the Premier League for almost two years, but Igor Jesus bagged a brace at Real Betis in the Uefa Europa League on Wednesday.

Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Dan Ndoye should make up the three attacking positions behind the striker. In defence, Morato may continue to partner Nikola Milenkovic at centre-back, while Neco Williams and Nicolo Savona might operate as the full-backs.

Premier League Odds

Sunderland currently have a bigger injury list heading into the weekend, with Luke O'Nien, Aji Alese (both shoulder), Dennis Cirkin (wrist) Habib Diarra (muscle), Romaine Mundle (hamstring) and Leo Hjelde (Achilles) are all set to miss the trip to the East Midlands on Saturday.

After scoring his third goal of the season, Wilson Isidor is set to keep his place up front for the visitors, while Eliezer Mayenda and Brian Brobbey settle for places on the bench.

Granit Xhaka will continue to pioneer the visitors' midfield, while width is expected to be provided by Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra.

Today's Football Fixtures

Nottingham Forest vs Sunderland Odds

Forest are 5/6 to win this encounter but they have won just one of their five Premier League fixtures to date this term.

The two clubs have drawn two games apiece and the stalemate can be backed at 13/5, which has an implied probability of 27.8%.

Sunderland are yet to win on their travels in the top flight this season and they are 7/2 to come away with the three points.

Both teams to score has been a successful bet in Forest's past three appearances in all competitions and BTTS is marketed at 10/11 for Saturday.

Double Chance - Draw or Sunderland and both teams to score @ 21/10

Forest are still getting used to their new methods under Postecoglou and while there have been a couple of promising signs so far, it still feels like it'll be a while for us to see significant progress.

Sunderland are well-drilled under Regis Le Bris and they have made a bright start to life back in the big time. Their best work has come on home soil so far, and they will be desperate to claim their first away victory of the campaign.

There is individual quality on offer from both sides and this could be a tight contest in Nottingham. Based on how the season has started, though, I'm more confident in Sunderland's current position, and I think there is a chance that they claim the three points here.

However, Forest won't roll over easily for them at the City Ground so I think the added insurance of a draw, which both teams have experienced twice already, is worth covering.

The odds are boosted with both teams to score as this has been a successful bet in the hosts' last three fixtures in all competitions, while there have been goals at both ends in three of Sunderland's past four competitive appearances.

Player Assists a Goal - Granit Xhaka @ 15/2

I'm a huge fan of Xhaka and his arrival at Sunderland registered as arguably the best deal of the summer in the Premier League. He may not be as glamorous as Florian Wirtz or Alexander Isak, but what he brings to this team will be vital as the Black Cats strive to consolidate their position back in the top flight.

He has already demonstrated his value both defensively and offensively this season but it is the latter that I am focusing on for this second selection. The Swiss midfielder is no stranger to contributing to goals and he has already registered two assists in the Premier League in 2025/26.

On both occasions, he has teed up forward Isidor, who is the Black Cats' biggest goal threat. Once again, I think Xhaka will play a pivotal role for Sunderland and I think 15/2 offers good value for him to provide another assist.

Offers

We will be Top Price on Nottingham Forest to beat Sunderland with selected bookmakers using Oddschecker for the comparison. (Available from 09:30 Saturday)

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