Odds courtesy of TonyBet.
Sunderland vs Nottingham Forest Odds
There is no clear favorite here at soccer betting sportsbooks. Sunderland sits at +175 on the moneyline, while Nottingham Forest returns at +170 odds. The O/U is set at 2.5 goals, and both sides cashed the Over in their last matches.
As for head-to-head, the Black Cats won the reverse fixture 1-0 at the City Ground. They’ve won back-to-back games against Forest, but their last meeting before this season was back in 2017.
Sunderland vs Nottingham Forest Analysis
I don’t know if anyone could’ve predicted that Sunderland would come up to the top flight and be fighting for a spot in Europe, but that’s the reality right now. Regis Le Bris’ side is sitting in 11th place with a 12-10-11 record, and as previously mentioned, only four points separate them and Brighton in sixth.
Regardless if Europe becomes a reality or not, there’s no questioning how impressive the Black Cats have been this season. Brian Brobbey has proven to be their most clinical attacker, bagging six goals. Wilson Isidor and Chemsdine Talbi have also netted four times. While Sunderland has only scored 36 goals in 33 matches, they gave Aston Villa a serious run for their money on matchday 33, only to suffer a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat. However, they’ve won two of their last three Premier League games, beating Newcastle and Tottenham.
The 2025-26 campaign has been a stark contrast from last season for Forest. While the club is through to the Europa semifinals, where they will, coincidentally enough, lock horns with Villa, the Tricky Trees have disappointed in the Premier League. Forest has compiled a 9-9-15 record, scoring only 36 times.
On a more positive note, their form has taken an impressive turn in recent weeks, and it has this side hopeful that relegation won’t happen. Vitor Pereira’s men are unbeaten across seven games across all competitions, and they even just knocked out Portuguese giants FC Porto in Europa. As for league action, Forest hammered Burnley last weekend behind a hat-trick from Morgan Gibbs-White.
Sunderland vs Nottingham Forest Injury News
Sunderland remain shorthanded heading into Friday’s clash, with Omar Alderete, Simon Moore, and Romaine Mundle all ruled out, while Jocelin Ta Bi, Bertrand Traore, and Nilson Angulo are carrying knocks and remain questionable.
Nottingham Forest are also dealing with a lengthy injury list, as Murillo, Dan Ndoye, Willy Boly, Nicolo Savona, John Victor, and Callum Hudson-Odoi are all sidelined, leaving the squad stretched on both ends of the pitch heading into this matchup.
Sunderland vs Nottingham Forest Picks
Both of these sides are in good form, and while 10 points separate them in the table, they’re very even. I expect a hard-fought, cagey affair on Friday that will ultimately end level.
Pick: Draw +225/TonyBet
