Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal Prediction, Head-to-Head and Team News: Kick-off 4:30pm Nigerian Time (18 October 2026)

📌 Quick answer: Nottingham Forest host Arsenal at the City Ground on Sunday 18 October 2026, kick-off 4:30pm Nigerian time (4:30pm in the UK). Arsenal are 2nd on 15 points and Forest 15th on 5. Forest have not scored against Arsenal in their last four Premier League meetings, and Arsenal are unbeaten in the last six. Arsenal are without William Saliba, and Piero Hincapié and Martín Zubimendi picked up knocks after the Leeds win. Forest are missing Igor Jesus and Nikola Milenković. Our prediction: Forest 0-2 Arsenal. In Nigeria the match is on SuperSport (DStv and GOtv).

Match Details

Where the Teams Stand

Arsenal, the reigning champions, are second with 15 points from six games (five wins, one defeat), three behind leaders Manchester City, who have won all six. Forest are 15th with 5 points (one win, two draws, three defeats) in Oliver Glasner’s first season in charge; he was appointed in July after leaving Crystal Palace.

Table as of 13 October 2026, after matchweek 6.

Recent Form

Forest led at Selhurst Park last Sunday through Dan Ndoye’s third-minute goal and hit the bar through Morgan Gibbs-White, but Palace scored three times to win 3-1. Glasner called it his side’s best performance of the season. They have scored only five league goals in six games.

Arsenal’s only league defeat was the 3-0 loss at Brighton on 19 September. They bounced back with a 2-1 home win over Leeds before the international break, and they play Lille in the Champions League on Tuesday 13 October, five days before this game.

Head-to-Head

In 109 meetings in all competitions, Arsenal have won 56, Forest 29, and 24 have been drawn. The recent record is all Arsenal’s way:

Key stats:

• Arsenal are unbeaten in the last six meetings (four wins, two draws).
• Forest have not scored in their last four Premier League games against Arsenal.
• The last two meetings at the City Ground both ended 0-0.

Team News

Nottingham Forest

• Igor Jesus (calf): out. Glasner said on 9 October he “will be out for a few weeks”.
• Nikola Milenković (knee, bone bruise): missed the Palace game after being hurt on international duty. Doubtful.
• Neco Williams was ill before the Palace trip. Check Friday’s press conference for an update.

Arsenal

• William Saliba (back): out. He has started individual training and is targeting a return in November.
• Piero Hincapié (foot): hurt in training after the Leeds game. Reports say it may be a broken foot, which would mean a long absence.
• Martín Zubimendi: missed training on 12 October after a knock. Doubtful.
• Christos Tzolis (hamstring): out.

Team news as of 13 October 2026. Both managers speak to the media before the game; this preview will be updated with the latest.

Players to Watch

• Morgan Gibbs-White (Forest): Forest’s creator-in-chief. He hit the bar at Palace, and most of Forest’s best chances run through him.
• Dan Ndoye (Forest): scored inside three minutes at Selhurst Park and gives Forest pace on the break, their best route to goal against Arsenal.
• Bukayo Saka (Arsenal): Arsenal’s main source of goals and chances from the right.
• Declan Rice (Arsenal): with Zubimendi doubtful, even more depends on Rice in midfield, and his set-pieces are a weapon against a Forest side missing Milenković in the air.

What the Numbers Say

Data provider Sportradar’s model, before Arsenal’s midweek game, gave Arsenal a 61% chance of winning, a draw 23% and Forest 16%.

Our Prediction: Forest 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal’s defence is weakened without Saliba and possibly Hincapié, and Forest showed at Palace that they can create chances. But Forest have not scored against Arsenal in four league meetings, they are without their striker Igor Jesus, and they have scored only five goals all season. Arsenal have the better squad and the better form, even with a Champions League game in midweek. We expect an Arsenal win, with Forest making it hard for long spells, as they did in the last two 0-0 draws at the City Ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal in Nigeria?

4:30pm Nigerian time (WAT) on Sunday 18 October 2026.

Where can I watch Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal in Nigeria?

On SuperSport, through DStv (Compact and above) or GOtv (Supa+ carries full live Premier League coverage).

Who has the better head-to-head record?

Arsenal: 56 wins to Forest’s 29 in 109 meetings, with 24 draws. Arsenal are unbeaten in the last six.

Who will win Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal?

We predict a 2-0 Arsenal win. Arsenal are second in the table and Forest have not scored against them in four Premier League meetings.

Is William Saliba playing?

No. Saliba is still recovering from a back problem and is targeting a return in November.

Sources

1. Sportradar: Premier League table, results, fixture time and win probabilities, 13 October 2026.
2. Sky Sports, “Crystal Palace 3-1 Nottingham Forest”, 11 October 2026.
3. Hayters, “Glasner reveals double Nottingham Forest injury blow”, 9 October 2026.
4. Arseblog News, “Hincapié and Zubimendi absent from training, Saliba back on the grass”, 12 October 2026.
5. 11v11, Nottingham Forest v Arsenal head-to-head record.

Last updated: 13 October 2026 · NaijaSabi Football Desk.