Nottingham Forest welcome Bournemouth to the City Ground for an intriguing season finale.
Vítor Pereira’s side saw their impressive eight-game unbeaten league run end against Manchester United. However, the Tricky Trees remain undefeated in six matches across all competitions on home soil. Meanwhile, Bournemouth travel north chasing an extraordinary Champions League qualification dream.
Andoni Iraola’s men have already secured European football for the first time ever. The Cherries boast a club-record 17-game unbeaten league streak heading into Sunday afternoon. They need a point to secure sixth place, which could miraculously yield Champions League football. That scenario requires Liverpool to win and Aston Villa to lose elsewhere today.
Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth – Match preview and team news
- Date: Sunday, 24 May 2026
- Kick-off: 16:00 BST
- Venue: The City Ground
- Referee: Craig Pawson
- VAR: Paul Howard
- Last Meeting: Bournemouth 2–0 Nottingham Forest (26 Oct 2025, Premier League)
Team news
Nottingham Forest
Forest defenders Murillo, Willy Boly, and Nicola Savona remain sidelined alongside Callum Hudson-Odoi. Ola Aina and Dan Ndoye face late fitness tests after returning to training this week. Elliot Anderson could play his final game for the club amid summer transfer speculation. He will partner Morgan Gibbs-White, who has produced 10 goal involvements recently.
Bournemouth
Andoni Iraola manages without Ryan Christie as the midfielder serves a domestic suspension. Alex Jimenez also remains unavailable due to an ongoing internal club suspension. Marcos Senesi expects to make his final appearance for the Cherries before leaving this summer. Adam Smith will continue to deputise in the defensive line alongside James Hill.
Form
Nottingham Forest
Forest enter the final weekend sitting 16th following their controversial 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford. That loss ended a resilient eight-game unbeaten run in the Premier League. Despite that setback, the Midlands club have shown real consistency during the closing stages. They have scored 19 goals in their last seven league matches under Pereira. They also boast an excellent home record, losing just one league match at home in 2026.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth arrive boasting a magnificent 17-game unbeaten streak in the Premier League. They suffered late heartbreak on Tuesday when Erling Haaland snatched a 95th-minute equaliser for Manchester City.
Despite that frustrating draw, the Cherries officially secured their first European qualification. They have drawn 17 league games this season, the joint-most of any side. The visitors look to complete their second league double over Forest after winning 2-0 previously.
Predicted lineups
Nottingham Forest Predicted XI: Sels; Williams, Milenkovic, Morato, Netz; Bakwa, Yates, Anderson, Gibbs-White; Jesus, Awoniyi
Bournemouth Predicted XI: Petrovic; Smith, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Adams, Scott; Rayan, Kroupi, Tavernier; Evanilson
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth?
In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports Action, with coverage starting at 2pm BST. Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.
Read more – Every Premier League Player of the Season as Fernandes claims 2025/26 crown
See Also- ‘Nothing stopping us’ – Hull City pull off unlikely Premier League promotion