Nottingham vs Arsenal: Prediction, H2H and probable lineups — January 17, 2026
On Saturday, January 17, as part of Matchweek 22 of the English Premier League, Nottingham will host Arsenal at home. Read on for a deep dive into both teams’ form and a detailed match prediction.
See also: Espanyol vs Girona prediction and betting tips 16 January 2026
Match preview
Nottingham Forest approaches this home clash with Arsenal eager to bounce back from an inconsistent stretch in the 2025/26 campaign. After a vibrant start under their new manager, the team looked confident at home—often opening the scoring and dictating the tempo. However, recent results have raised concerns among both management and fans: the side has lacked finishing in attack and focus at the back. In the FA Cup, Nottingham were knocked out in dramatic fashion by Wrexham—after a 3-3 draw in regular time, they fell short in the penalty shootout, highlighting ongoing issues with converting chances and squad stability.
This season, Nottingham’s playing style is built on a solid defense and physical battles, especially on home turf. The team prefers a compact block out of possession, careful set-piece execution, and swift transitions from defense to attack. That said, their attacking organization remains questionable: the "Tricky Trees" lack variety in positional attacks, relying heavily on individual wing play and crosses into the box.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are having a stellar 2025/26 season and top the Premier League table, consistently showcasing strength at both ends of the pitch. The Gunners have doubled down on ball control, varied positional attacks, and high-intensity pressing, reflected in their commanding performances across all competitions. This week, Arsenal claimed a 3-2 victory over Chelsea in the League Cup semi-final, once again demonstrating character and the ability to turn tense games in their favor.
In attack, the Gunners are remarkably versatile: they skillfully exploit the flanks, half-spaces, and inter-line combinations, generating plenty of chances and forcing opponents to constantly adjust their defensive setups. However, Arsenal aren’t without weaknesses, especially when they lose possession high up the pitch—quick counterattacks can cause trouble if the defense hasn’t reset in time.
Probable lineups
Nottingham: Sels; Savona, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Anderson, Luiz; McAtee, Gibbs-White, Bakwa; Jesus
Arsenal: Kepa; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Match facts and head-to-head
- Arsenal have recorded four wins and one draw in the last five meetings.
- Nottingham have won one of their last five matches, losing four.
- Arsenal are unbeaten in ten games: nine wins and one draw.
Prediction
I’m confident in this Arsenal side, who are pushing hard for the league title and show no intention of slipping up in fixtures of this caliber. My prediction: Arsenal to win at 1.55 odds
