Ipswich sit tenth and Forest 19th going into Friday night, but Forest have the head-to-head record, a returning Morgan Gibbs-White and the better numbers in the models. The Ipswich vs Forest clash kicks off at Portman Road on Friday 23 October at 20:00 WAT (20:00 BST), live on Sky Sports.
Prediction table
| Market | Our pick | Odds | Confidence |
| Match result | Nottingham Forest win | 2.25 | 40% |
| Both teams to score | Yes | 1.56 | 53% |
| Total goals | Over 1.5 goals | 1.23 | 74% |
| Correct score | 1-2 | 11.0 | 9% |
| Best value bet / Matchplug Pick | Nottingham Forest win | 2.25 | 40% |
Team news and form
Ipswich have nine points from seven games, a tidy start for a side back in the top flight, and sit tenth. They beat Fulham 2-1 on 10 October before losing 3-2 at Manchester City last weekend. Gary O’Neil signed a three-year contract in June, and his side have been shaky at home: in their last three at Portman Road they won one, lost two and conceded seven.
Forest have five points from seven and a goal difference of -4, and they have lost three league games in a row: 1-0 at home to Coventry, 3-1 at Crystal Palace and 1-0 at home to Arsenal last Sunday. They have conceded nine in seven. Oliver Glasner is under growing pressure, although his side were competitive against the champions even without their captain.
Morgan Gibbs-White missed the Arsenal game with a muscle problem but has trained all week and is fit to return. Nikola Milenkovic is ready to start after his knee issue. Igor Jesus (calf) and Nicolo Savona (knee) are out. Liam Delap, a former Ipswich striker, is expected to lead the line at Portman Road. For Ipswich, Sasa Lukic is doubtful with a groin problem, with reports differing on whether he makes the squad, and Jack Taylor is out with a knee injury.
Head-to-head – Last 5 meetings
- Ipswich 2-4 Forest (15 March 2025, Premier League)
- Ipswich 1-1 Forest (March 2025, FA Cup, Forest won 5-4 on penalties)
- Forest 1-0 Ipswich (30 November 2024, Premier League)
- Ipswich 1-1 Forest (16 March 2019, Championship)
- Forest 2-0 Ipswich (1 December 2018, Championship)
Forest are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Ipswich (W3, D2 including the cup tie shootout) and won both Premier League games in 2024-25.
Why we’re backing it
Forest have the record in this fixture, and the models lean their way: the ones we checked put Forest at 39-42% to win, Ipswich at 32-34% and the draw at 25-28%. Gibbs-White’s return gives Forest their creative player back, and Ipswich’s defence has leaked seven goals in its last three home games.
The risk is Forest’s form. Three straight defeats and nine goals conceded in seven games make them hard to trust, and at 2.25 the price already reflects most of the case for them, so we see this as a lean rather than a bargain. Ipswich are tenth for a reason and a draw is a live outcome. We expect goals, with both teams to score the likelier outcome at 53%.
Betting tips summary
- Safe pick: Over 1.5 goals (price to check)
- Value pick: Nottingham Forest to win @ 2.25 <- our recommended bet
- Long shot: Nottingham Forest to win 1-2 (price to check)
Frequently asked questions
Who will win Ipswich vs Nottingham Forest? Nottingham Forest are our pick. They are unbeaten in the last five meetings and our model gives them a 40% win probability, against 33% for Ipswich and 27% for the draw.
What is the correct score prediction for Ipswich vs Nottingham Forest? 1-2 is our pick at around 9%. 1-1 is the single most likely scoreline in most models at about 12%.
What time does Ipswich vs Nottingham Forest kick off? Friday 23 October 2026 at 20:00 WAT (20:00 BST), at Portman Road in Ipswich. It is live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
Will both teams score? Yes is our lean at 53%. Forest have scored in most of their recent games despite the defeats, and Ipswich have conceded seven in their last three at home.
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