Leicester City vs Nottingham Forest Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

An East Midlands derby usually provides a close encounter between the two sides, and we expect this here; however, we feel Nottingham Forest will have the edge on Friday.

Nottingham Forest have been excellent away from home this season, remaining unbeaten in their four Premier League games away from the City ground. The visitors have won twice and drawn twice in their four away games, and interestingly, Forest have received two red cards in consecutive away fixtures against Chelsea and Brighton, respectively.

Expect goals in this fixture, as Over 2.5 goals have been scored in four of the previous five meetings between the two sides, with Nottingham Forest failing to keep a clean sheet in their last three. Leicester’s home form places the Foxes at a slight disadvantage compared to Nottingham Forest, as Leicester have only won once and drawn twice - giving them five points from a possible 12 on home soil.

For the Friday Night game, we predict that Nottingham Forest will stretch their unbeaten run away from home despite a quick turnaround in fixtures for the visitors.

Leicester City 1-2 Nottingham Forest

On Friday, an East Midlands derby is on offer as Leicester City host Nottingham Forest at the King Power Stadium. This game sees former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper take on his former employers.

Date: 25/10/2024

Location: King Power Stadium

Kick-Off: 8 pm
Steve Cooper made the unpopular choice, especially in Nottingham, to replace the outgoing Enzo Maresca in the summer and move to Leicester City. Cooper developed a brilliant reputation under his tenure at Nottingham Forest, having guided the Reds’ return to the Premier League following 13 years away from England’s elite division. Cooper was relieved of his duties as Nottingham Forest manager and was replaced by his counterpart in the opposite dugout on Friday in Nuno Espirito Santo.

Under Steve Cooper this season, Leicester City have made steady progress as they currently sit 14th in the league after eight games played. Leicester City made an auspicious start to their campaign, having won none of their first six Premier League games, although they had performed admirably against the likes of Arsenal and Aston Villa. Steve Cooper has managed to turn the tide in their last two games, with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth and a last-minute winner through Jordan Ayew, to complete a remarkable comeback against Southampton.

Nottingham Forest are currently 12th in the Premier League, having played a game less than their local rivals. Nottingham Forest play Crystal Palace on the Monday before this game, which could be an advantage for Leicester City on the weekend. A win for Nottingham Forest heading into the game on Friday could move the Reds into the top half before they play this pivotal game against Leicester City. Nottingham Forest have been excellent this season away from home, picking up results away at Stamford Bridge and, more notably, a famous win at Anfield.

The last time these two teams met, Nottingham Forest were 2-0 winners thanks to a brace from Brennan Johnson.

The game will be available on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

Leicester City Predicted Eleven: Hermansen, Justin, Faes, Okoli, Kristiansen, Ndidi, Skipp, Buonanotte, El Khannouss, Mavididi, Vardy.

Nottingham Forest Predicted Eleven: Selz, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno, Yates, Dominguez, Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Anderson, Wood

The recent history in this East Midlands Derby heavily favours the visiting side ahead of this big clash on Friday. Nottingham Forest have won three of their last five meetings in all competitions, including the most recent league win over the Foxes in 2023. Interestingly, you must go back to 2013 to the last time Nottingham Forest beat Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. The game finished 2-0 for the Reds thanks to goals from Simon Cox and Jamie Mackie. The last Premier League meeting between the two teams at the King Power Stadium resulted in a 4-0 win for the Foxes thanks to goals from James Maddison (x2), Harvey Barnes and Patson Daka.

The Foxes have recorded a moderately average home record this season, having won once, drawn twice and lost once on home soil. Steve Cooper’s side have averaged 1.25 points per game this season, scoring four and conceding four. The hosts have kept a clean sheet record of 25% this season and, more importantly, have not failed to score in any of their games at home. Their most recent home game brought about Leicester’s first win of the season as they beat Bournemouth 1-0 thanks to a goal from Facundo Buonanotte.

Nottingham Forest have been superb on their travels away from the City Ground. The visitors are unbeaten away from home, having won twice and drawn twice in four. The visitors for this game have averaged two points per game on their travels compared to 0.67 obtained at home. Forest have scored five goals away from home and have conceded three. Interestingly, Nottingham Forest have an impressive defensive record with a 50% clean sheet rate away from home.

In their most recent away game, Nottingham Forest denied Chelsea three points at Stamford Bridge despite being a man down. James Ward-Prowse was dismissed in the 78th minute as beforehand; a Noni Madueke equaliser cancelled out Chris Wood’s opener for Nottingham Forest.

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