Nottingham Forest host top-five-chasing Bournemouth on the final day of the 2025-26 Premier League season.
Victory would see Forest finish 15th if Crystal Palace lose at home to Arsenal, whilst Bournemouth can snatch fifth if they win and Liverpool lose with a seven-goal swing in favour of the Cherries.
A six-goal swing in Bournemouth’s favour however would force a play-off because they and Liverpool in that scenario would be tied on points, goal difference and head-to-head record.
Team News
Dan Ndoye could return for Forest after a month out with a knock.
Ola Aina (knock), Murillo (muscle), Callum Hudson-Odoi (quad), Willy Boly and Nicolo Savona (both knee) remain absent.
Bournemouth have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 1-1 draw against Manchester City.
Julio Soler (hamstring) is a doubt but Ryan Christie and Alejandro Gimenez both remain suspended.
When is Kick-Off?
Forest host Bournemouth at the City Ground on Sunday 24 May at 4pm BST, live on Sky Sports+ app in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Forest are yet to beat Bournemouth in the Premier League (D3, L4).
- Bournemouth have claimed seven points in three previous Premier League trips to Forest (W2, D1).
- Forest have conceded seven goals in their last two meetings against Bournemouth without reply (L2).
- Vitor Pereira’s Tricky Trees have kept just one clean sheet in their last six matches (W3, D2, L1).
- No Bournemouth player has won more duels this season than Adrien Truffert (202).
Prediction
Although there isn’t much for Forest to play for after a tough season packed with twists and European adventures to treasure, I hope that they don’t just roll over here as this is a chance to impress ahead of a summer where Vitor Pereira will consider how he wants to shape the club going forward.
Forest however will have to be better defensively than they were at Man Utd although they should feel disappointed to had not at least snatched a draw, which hopefully will motivate them to get a positive result despite having not beaten Bournemouth yet in the Premier League.
Bournemouth meanwhile will be glad to had scored first on Tuesday evening because it otherwise would of been tough to get a point against Man City, yet they battled hard for a deserved point although it could of been a win if City hadn’t found that extra edge to snatch a draw.
Now Andoni Iraola’s Cherries just need to focus on themselves and try to score as many goals as they can because their hopes of Champions League qualification is out of their own hands now, so might as well enjoy the game and try to extend their unbeaten run in Iraola’s final match in charge.
Forest however do look to have found their confidence at home so I expect this to be close, but Bournemouth will probably have to settle for Europa League football unless Brentford produce a miracle for them at Anfield.
Prediction: Forest 1-2 Bournemouth
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