Nottingham Forest welcome Arsenal to the City Ground on Sunday afternoon, with the two sides experiencing very different starts to the Premier League season.
Arsenal have won five of their opening six league matches and remain firmly in the title conversation.
Forest, meanwhile, have collected just five points under Oliver Glasner, although their performances haven’t always deserved such a disappointing return.
The hosts created plenty during last weekend’s 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace but once again struggled to turn opportunities into goals.
Arsenal followed their 2-1 comeback victory over Leeds with a convincing 3-0 Champions League win against Lille.
The Gunners arrive as favourites, but Forest have made life difficult for them at the City Ground in recent seasons.
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What are the best betting tips for Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal?
Arsenal to win
Mikel Arteta’s side have made an impressive start to their title defence, winning five of their six Premier League fixtures.
Arsenal also have the squad depth to cope with a demanding European schedule, as demonstrated by their midweek victory over Lille.
Forest have struggled to turn promising performances into points, and their finishing remains a major concern.
The hosts should make this competitive, but Arsenal’s greater quality could ultimately prove decisive.
Bukayo Saka to score or assist
Bukayo Saka remains one of Arsenal’s most dangerous attacking players.
The England international scored during Tuesday’s 3-0 victory over Lille and should play a significant role in Sunday’s attack.
Forest have been creating opportunities of their own, but their defensive record suggests Arsenal will get chances.
Saka’s ability to score and create makes the combined goals-or-assists market worth considering.
Under 3.5 goals
Forest have struggled for goals despite creating plenty of chances this season.
Their last two Premier League home meetings with Arsenal also finished 0-0.
Arsenal have enough quality to win without needing a particularly high-scoring afternoon.
A relatively tight contest looks more likely than a goal-filled encounter.
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Where can I watch Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal?
Nottingham Forest host Arsenal at the City Ground on Sunday, 18 October 2026, with kick-off at 4:30 pm BST.
United Kingdom: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with streaming through NOW.
United States: NBCSN and Peacock, with kick-off at 11:30 am ET.
Canada: Check Fubo Canada for Premier League coverage, with kick-off at 11:30 am ET.
What is Nottingham Forest’s predicted team?
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Sels; Aina, Diomande, Murillo; Muñoz, Schlager, McAtee, Williams; Gibbs-White, Ndoye; Delap.
Injured: Nikola Milenković, Igor Jesus, Nicolò Savona.
Suspended: None confirmed.
Oliver Glasner has several defensive concerns ahead of Arsenal’s visit.
Nikola Milenković and Nicolò Savona are unavailable, while Igor Jesus is also sidelined.
Liam Delap is expected to lead the line despite struggling to convert his chances this season.
Morgan Gibbs-White remains Forest’s main creative influence, with Dan Ndoye offering another attacking threat.
What is Arsenal’s predicted team?
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Ødegaard, Madueke; Havertz.
Injured: William Saliba, Christos Tzolis, Piero Hincapié.
Doubt: Martín Zubimendi.
Suspended: None confirmed.
Mikel Arteta continues to manage several injuries despite Arsenal’s strong start.
William Saliba remains unavailable, while Piero Hincapié and Christos Tzolis are also expected to miss out.
Martín Zubimendi could return to contention, although his fitness remains uncertain.
Bukayo Saka should return to the starting lineup after making an impact against Lille.
Kai Havertz is expected to lead the attack, with Martin Ødegaard providing creativity behind him.
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal prediction
Forest’s position near the bottom of the table doesn’t reflect the number of chances they’ve created.
However, scoring just five goals from their opening six league matches highlights their biggest problem.
Arsenal have been far more clinical and have demonstrated an ability to win difficult matches, even when they haven’t been at their best.
The City Ground has proved a frustrating venue for the Gunners in recent seasons, with their last two league visits ending goalless.
That record suggests Forest shouldn’t be dismissed.
Nevertheless, Arsenal’s attacking options and defensive organisation should give them the edge.
Forest may create opportunities, but the visitors look better equipped to take theirs.
Score prediction: Nottingham Forest 0-2 Arsenal
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