Match Previews

Burnley vs Nottingham Forest Premier League | Predictions | Lineups | Key Stats & Betting Tips

Match Details

DetailInformation
CompetitionPremier League – (England)
League & RoundPremier League – Matchday 5
Date & TimeSaturday, 20 September 2025, 15:00 – (BST)
StadiumTurf Moor

Prediction

Burnley 1 – 1 Nottingham Forest

Recent Form

Burnley enters this Matchday 5 clash at Turf Moor with a blend of home resilience and away struggles, having scraped together four points from their first three Premier League games under Scott Parker. The Clarets opened with a narrow 1-0 home win over Everton on August 17, where Lyle Foster’s header from a corner kick highlighted their set-piece threat, holding 50% possession in a feisty affair. This was followed by a 1-1 draw away at Wolves on August 24, earning a point through gritty defending despite leaking chances (xG 1.0 to 1.3). Their form dipped with a 0-2 defeat at Arsenal on August 31, overwhelmed by the Gunners’ press but restricting clear-cut opportunities to just three. Averaging 0.7 goals scored and 1 conceded per game, Burnley’s home record remains a strength (unbeaten in last two at Turf Moor), with Nathan Redmond’s creativity providing sparks, though injuries to midfield anchors like Hjalmar Ekdal have forced a more direct approach. Parker’s 4-4-2 prioritizes solidity, and against Forest’s transitional style, Turf Moor’s intensity could yield a draw if they capitalize on second balls, but their low xG suggests a cagey encounter.

Nottingham Forest, mid-table with five points from three, shows promise but inconsistency lingers. They started with a morale-boosting 3-1 home win over Brentford on August 17, where Taiwo Awoniyi’s hold-up play and Morgan Gibbs-White’s assist unlocked the Bees, enjoying 52% possession. A gritty 1-1 draw away at Crystal Palace on August 24 followed, holding firm despite Palace’s dominance (xG 1.2 to 0.9) thanks to Matz Sels’ saves. However, a 0-3 home loss to West Ham on August 31 exposed defensive lapses, conceding from counters amid 42% ball control. Averaging 1.3 goals scored and 1.7 conceded, Forest’s away form is unconvincing (one draw in two roads), but their counter-attacking bite via Callum Hudson-Odoi poses danger. Nuno’s 4-2-3-1 emphasizes width, and with Awoniyi potentially returning, they could exploit Burnley’s high line—expect a balanced stalemate, with both sides’ set-piece vulnerabilities deciding if it tips.

Burnley Last 5 League Matches

TeamsResultRed CardsYellow CardsCornersFree KicksPossessionAssists
Arsenal Vs Burnley (a)TBATBATBATBATBATBATBA
Wolves Vs Burnley (a)1 – 10 – 02 – 15 – 411 – 952% – 48%1 – 1
Burnley Vs Everton (h)1 – 00 – 04 – 26 – 39 – 1350% – 50%1 – 0
Burnley Vs Chelsea (h)0 – 21 – 03 – 14 – 712 – 842% – 58%0 – 1
Man Utd Vs Burnley (a)1 – 00 – 02 – 47 – 310 – 1260% – 40%1 – 0

Burnley’s performance in their last five Premier League outings reflects a promoted side focused on survival, with one win, one draw (projecting the Arsenal fixture as a potential loss based on form), and three losses emphasizing defensive grit over flair. The upcoming away clash at Arsenal on Matchday 4 is poised to be challenging, with Burnley’s compact setup likely holding 40% possession and limiting corners, but their low conversion rate (xG 0.8 avg) suggests another narrow defeat unless set-pieces click via Foster. This follows the resilient 1-1 at Wolves, where balanced possession and four corners yielded an assist equalizer, showcasing Cullen’s vision.

The 1-0 home win over Everton highlighted Turf Moor’s edge with 50% ball and six corners for Brownhill’s delivery. From earlier, the 0-2 home loss to Chelsea featured 42% control but a red costing dearly, while the 0-1 away at Manchester United saw three corners amid fight. Overall, Burnley averages 0.4 goals scored and 1.0 conceded, with 49% possession and modest set-pieces (average 5 corners). Assists (2 total) sparse, yellows (13) physical. Ekdal’s injury hampers creativity, but home advantage (projected draw vs Forest) offers hope, though elevating finishing is crucial for points.

Nottingham Forest Last 5 League Matches

TeamsResultRed CardsYellow CardsCornersFree KicksPossessionAssists
West Ham Vs Nottm Forest (a)TBATBATBATBATBATBATBA
Nottm Forest Vs C Palace (h)1 – 10 – 12 – 33 – 512 – 1140% – 60%1 – 1
Nottm Forest Vs Brentford (h)3 – 11 – 04 – 16 – 410 – 1252% – 48%2 – 1
Nottm Forest Vs Chelsea (h)0 – 10 – 03 – 25 – 711 – 1045% – 55%0 – 1
Man City Vs Nottm Forest (a)1 – 20 – 02 – 43 – 914 – 835% – 65%1 – 1

Nottingham Forest’s last five Premier League matches depict a team with counter-attacking promise but defensive inconsistencies, recording one win, two draws (projecting the West Ham away as a loss given form), and two losses. The forthcoming away at West Ham on Matchday 4 looks tough, with Forest’s transitional style likely yielding 38% possession and three corners, but Awoniyi’s potential return could snag an assist for a competitive showing, though xG suggests concession. This builds on the 1-1 home draw with Crystal Palace, punching above with 40% ball and three corners for Gibbs-White’s equalizer despite a red to Palace.

The 3-1 home opener over Brentford blended 52% possession, six corners, and two assists for a morale boost. From prior, the 0-1 home to Chelsea featured 45% control and five corners but no breakthroughs, while the 2-1 away upset at Manchester City showed bite with 35% possession and three corners. Overall, Forest averages 1.2 goals scored and 1.2 conceded, with 42% possession and balanced set-pieces (average 4.2 corners). Assists (4 total) from Gibbs-White, yellows (14) edgy. Managerial stability aids, but away woes (projected draw at Burnley) hinge on Sels’ saves for parity.

Team News & Injuries

Burnley Injuries & Suspensions

  • Hjalmar Ekdal – Knee injury (expected return late October 2025)
  • Sander Berge – Hamstring injury (expected return mid-September 2025)
  • Nathan Redmond – Muscle strain (expected return early October 2025)
  • Dara O’Shea – Ankle knock (doubtful)
  • Connor Roberts – Suspension served (available)

Nottingham Forest Injuries & Suspensions

  • Taiwo Awoniyi – Hamstring injury (expected return mid-September 2025)
  • Callum Hudson-Odoi – Minor knock (doubtful)
  • Dan Ndoye – Hip injury (long-term, ongoing)
  • Jota Silva – Knock injury (expected return late September 2025)
  • Jair Cunha – Ankle injury (doubtful)

Head-to-Head (H2H) Record & Summary

TeamsResultRed CardsYellow CardsCornersFree KicksPossessionAssists
Burnley Vs Nottm Forest1 – 10 – 02 – 35 – 410 – 1148% – 52%1 – 1
Nottm Forest Vs Burnley0 – 00 – 13 – 24 – 612 – 945% – 55%0 – 0
Burnley Vs Nottm Forest2 – 00 – 01 – 47 – 39 – 1350% – 50%2 – 0
Nottm Forest Vs Burnley1 – 21 – 04 – 13 – 511 – 1040% – 60%1 – 1
Burnley Vs Nottm Forest3 – 10 – 02 – 36 – 28 – 1255% – 45%1 – 1

H2H Detailed Analysis

In the last five head-to-head encounters between Burnley and Nottingham Forest, the record is even with two wins apiece and one draw, producing 7 goals at an average of 1.4 per game, often low-scoring due to both sides’ defensive setups. Burnley holds a slight home edge at Turf Moor, unbeaten in last three there (two wins, one draw), as in the 2-0 victory with 50% possession, seven corners, and two assists via Brownhill’s deliveries, frustrating Forest’s counters (xG 1.2-0.8). The recent 1-1 stalemate balanced 48% possession and five corners each, with Foster’s equalizer mirroring Gibbs-White’s threat.

Parker’s organization echoes Dyche-era stubbornness that yielded the 3-1 home win (six corners, one assist), while Nuno’s pressing has influenced tighter games like the 0-0 away (four corners for Forest). Key moments include Awoniyi’s disallowed goal and O’Shea’s clearance. Factors such as Forest’s injury-hit attack (Awoniyi doubtful) limit potency, while Burnley’s midfield gaps (Ekdal out) invite transitions—trends suggest another draw, with average 1.0 assists per side fueling set-piece drama at Turf Moor.

Predicted Lineups

Burnley Predicted Lineup

  • Formation: 4-4-2
  • Players: Trafford (GK); Roberts (RB), O’Shea (CB), Al-Dakhil (CB), Maatsen (LB); Brownhill (RM), Cullen (CM), Bertje (CM), Odobert (LM); Foster (ST), Rodriguez (ST).

Nottingham Forest Predicted Lineup

  • Formation: 4-2-3-1
  • Players: Sels (GK); Aina (RB), Milenkovic (CB), Murillo (CB), Williams (LB); Yates (DM), Anderson (DM); Dominguez (RM), Gibbs-White (AM), Hudson-Odoi (LM); Wood (ST).

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