Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal prediction, head-to-head and probable lineups - 17 January 2026
One of the fixtures of Premier League Matchweek 22 will unfold this Saturday at the City Ground in Nottingham, where the local side Nottingham Forest will host London giants Arsenal. Here’s a prediction for the outcome of this showdown, offering solid chances for success.
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Match preview
Forest are still locked in a battle for survival, struggling to find any sort of consistency. Their victory over West Ham injected some hope into the campaign, but that optimism quickly faded after a shock exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Wrexham. A string of disappointing defeats and patchy form suggest that the Tricky Trees have little reason to expect points against top clubs - especially given their current state.
Despite the return of several players, including Sangaré and Boly, the starting lineup remains weakened. Even home advantage has not been a safety net - Forest have lost three of their last four Premier League games at the City Ground, often looking toothless in attack.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are in sensational form and sit atop the league table. Mikel Arteta’s men have been relentless, winning nine of their last ten matches - including two crucial cup triumphs over Portsmouth and Chelsea. This unbeaten run is a testament to both the squad’s physical sharpness and mental resilience.
Despite some personnel issues, the coaching staff aren’t planning major rotation ahead of their Champions League clash with Inter. Key players - Saka, Gyökeres, and Martinelli - are expected to start to secure the result. Moreover, Arsenal boast an excellent recent record against Forest: in their last three head-to-head meetings, the Gunners haven’t conceded and have looked assured throughout.
Probable lineups
- Nottingham Forest: Sels, Williams, Murillo, Milenković, Aina, Domínguez, Anderson, Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Hutchinson, Jesús
- Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Ødegaard, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Gyökeres, Martinelli
Match facts and head-to-head
- Arsenal have won five of their last seven matches against Forest
- Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in each of the last three meetings between the sides
- Forest have lost three of their last four home games in the Premier League
Prediction
Nottingham Forest are going through a rough patch, making costly mistakes even against teams from the lower half of the table. Their form and squad depth are inferior to the Londoners, and the recent defeat to Wrexham sets alarm bells ringing. Arsenal, by contrast, are in rhythm and have no intention of easing up in the title race. Even without hitting their maximum, the visitors should be expected to take all three points.
