Nottingham Forest vs Everton: Prediction, Lineups, Kickoff Time | Premier League 2025/26

On: December 27, 2025 10:55 PM

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Nottingham Forest vs Everton — Match Preview

The Premier League festive schedule continues at the City Ground on Sunday, 28 December 2025. Nottingham Forest, currently 17th with 18 points, are desperate to pull away from the relegation zone. Nuno Espírito Santo’s side has been inconsistent, following up a stunning 3–0 win over Tottenham with a disappointing 0–1 loss to Fulham just days ago. They host an Everton side sitting comfortably in 10th (24 points) but looking to bounce back from back-to-back defeats against Chelsea and Arsenal. The Toffees will be confident, having already beaten Forest 3–0 earlier this month at Goodison Park, but the City Ground atmosphere poses a very different challenge.

Nottingham Forest vs Everton — Match Info

Competition: Premier League (Matchday 18)
Venue: City Ground, Nottingham (Capacity: 30,404)
Date: 31 December 2025
Kickoff: 14:00 GMT | 15:00 CET | 09:00 ET
Referee: Michael Oliver (ENG)

Nottingham Forest vs Everton — Match Stakes

Nottingham Forest (17th — 18 pts):

Win → Moves to 21 pts; creates vital breathing space from the bottom three.
Draw → Keeps the points ticking but extends the relegation anxiety.
Loss → Could drop into the relegation zone if 18th place wins; heaps pressure on the manager.

Everton (10th — 24 pts):

Win → Moves to 27 pts; solidifies a top-half position and pushes towards European spots.
Draw → Stops the losing streak (2 games); a decent point on the road.
Loss → Risks slipping into the bottom half; 3 consecutive defeats would dampen the festive mood.

Nottingham Forest vs Everton — Team News

Nottingham Forest:

Gibbs-White M. — Key Creator (Vital for unlocking defenses at home)
Awoniyi T. — Goal Threat (Needs service to trouble Everton’s physical defense)
Murillo — Defensive Leader (Must tighten up after the Fulham loss)
Note: Forest will be looking for a reaction after failing to score in their last outing.

Everton:

Pickford J. — Goalkeeper (Key to keeping Forest at bay)
Branthwaite J. — Defensive Rock (Crucial against Forest’s counters)
McNeil D. — Creative Outlet (His crosses are Everton’s main weapon)
Calvert-Lewin D. — Striker (Need him to hold up play to relieve pressure)

Nottingham Forest vs Everton — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)

Nottingham Forest

23/12 — 0–1 vs Fulham (Premier League)
14/12 — 3–0 vs Tottenham (Premier League)
11/12 — 2–1 vs Utrecht (Europa League)
06/12 — 0–3 vs Everton (Premier League)
04/12 — 1–0 vs Wolves (Premier League)

Everton

21/12 — 0–1 vs Arsenal (Premier League)
13/12 — 0–2 vs Chelsea (Premier League)
06/12 — 3–0 vs Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
03/12 — 1–0 vs Bournemouth (Premier League)
29/11 — 1–4 vs Newcastle (Premier League)

Nottingham Forest vs Everton — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)

06/12/2025 — Everton 3–0 Nottingham Forest
12/04/2025 — Nottingham Forest 0–1 Everton
29/12/2024 — Everton 0–2 Nottingham Forest
21/04/2024 — Everton 2–0 Nottingham Forest
02/12/2023 — Nottingham Forest 0–1 Everton

Nottingham Forest vs Everton — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)

Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1)

Sels; Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Aina; Yates, Ward-Prowse; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Awoniyi

Everton (4-4-1-1)

Pickford; Patterson, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Harrison, Gueye, Garner, McNeil; Ndiaye; Calvert-Lewin

Nottingham Forest vs Everton — Impact Bench

Nottingham Forest: Wood (Aerial threat), Anderson (Midfield drive)

Everton: Beto (Physical chaos), Lindstrom (Pace on the break)

Nottingham Forest vs Everton — Tactical Analysis

Nottingham Forest

At the City Ground, Forest are a different beast (see the 3–0 win vs Spurs). They rely heavily on the transition speed of Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi. Morgan Gibbs-White is the conductor; if Everton give him time, he will punish them. However, they must be wary of set-pieces, an area where they have historically struggled against Everton’s height.

Everton

Sean Dyche’s men will set up to be compact and frustrating. After two tough losses against “Big 6” sides, they will revert to basics: deep defense and direct counter-attacks. They dismantled Forest 3–0 just weeks ago by exploiting spaces behind Forest’s full-backs. Look for Dwight McNeil to target the back post with crosses for Calvert-Lewin.

Nottingham Forest vs Everton — Key Battles

Gibbs-White vs Gueye — The creator vs the destroyer in midfield.
Awoniyi vs Tarkowski — A physical heavyweight battle.
Elanga vs Mykolenko — Pace on the wing vs disciplined defending.
Sels vs McNeil — Goalkeeper dealing with dangerous inswinging corners.

Nottingham Forest vs Everton — Spotlight Players

Nottingham Forest — Morgan Gibbs-White

He was quiet in the 0–3 loss at Goodison. For Forest to get revenge, their talisman needs to run the show and link the midfield to attack.

Everton — Jarrad Branthwaite

The young defender has been excellent this season. His composure and reading of the game will be vital to silencing the raucous City Ground crowd.

Nottingham Forest vs Everton — Prediction

Nottingham Forest 1–1 Everton

Everton have had Forest’s number recently (winning 3 of the last 4), but Forest’s home form is their lifeline. Desperation often brings out the best in teams fighting near the bottom. Expect a tight, physical encounter where Forest avoid defeat but struggle to break down a stubborn Dyche defense completely.