Nottingham Forest vs Leicester City Lineups – Confirmed Teams, Score and Stats

Nottingham Forest and Leicester City played out a 2-2 draw at The City Ground on May 11, 2025, in a Premier League fixture that carried significant implications for both clubs. Forest secured European qualification despite missing the chance to reclaim fifth place, while Leicester fought back to earn a point despite facing numerical disadvantage in the closing stages.

The match showcased the tactical approaches of both managers, with Forest opting for a structured 4-2-3-1 formation under Nuno Espírito Santo and Leicester responding in kind under their own setup. Key players including Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood found the net for the home side, while Jamie Vardy led the line for the visitors in what marked a significant occasion for the veteran striker.

What are the Nottingham Forest vs Leicester City lineups today?

Confirmed Starting Lineups

Both teams fielded identical 4-2-3-1 formations, aligning closely with pre-match predictions from multiple sources. Nottingham Forest’s lineup featured Matz Sels in goal behind a back four of Ola Aina, Nikola Milenkovic, Morato, and Neco Williams. The midfield double pivot comprised Ibrahim Sangaré and Elliot Anderson, with Anthony Elanga, captain Morgan Gibbs-White, and Nicolás Domínguez supporting striker Chris Wood.

Leicester City named Jakub Stolarczyk as their goalkeeper following Mads Hermansen’s season-ending injury. James Justin, Conor Coady, Wout Faes, and Luke Thomas formed the defensive line, with Wilfred Ndidi and Oliver Skipp anchoring midfield. Kasey McAteer, Bilal El Khannouss, and Jordan Ayew provided attacking width behind lone forward Jamie Vardy.

Confirmed Substitutions and Cards

Forest introduced Taiwo Awoniyi at the 83-minute mark for Sangaré, while Jota Silva replaced Elanga deep in stoppage time. Ryan Yates came on for Domínguez in the 74th minute. Several players picked up bookings during the contest: Morato (60′), Ola Aina (69′), and Elliot Anderson (73′) for Forest, with James Justin (39′), Conor Coady (16′), and Luke Thomas (58′, 77′) for Leicester. Thomas received a second yellow in the 77th minute, reducing Leicester to ten men for the closing stages.

Key Facts Comparison

Predicted lineups for Nottingham Forest vs Leicester City

Pre-match predictions from several outlets largely anticipated the formations that materialised on the day. The Top Flight and Sports Illustrated both foresaw a 4-2-3-1 approach from Forest, though there was some debate over whether Murillo or Milenkovic would partner Morato at centre-back.

For Leicester, the main uncertainty concerned the midfield pairing alongside Ndidi, with Skipp and Soumaré both considered viable options. Sports Mole noted that Vardy’s presence as the focal point of the attack remained certain, with the striker approaching milestones of 200 goals and 501 appearances for the club.

Team News and Injury Updates

Nottingham Forest entered the match without Callum Hudson-Odoi, who suffered a hamstring injury in the previous fixture against Brentford. His absence created a reshuffle in the attacking areas, though manager Nuno Espírito Santo had sufficient depth to maintain the intended tactical structure.

Leicester City faced a more significant list of absentees. Goalkeeper Mads Hermansen was ruled out for the remainder of the season, prompting the selection of Jakub Stolarczyk between the posts. Stephy Mavididi, Bobby De Cordova Reid, and Ricardo Pereira were considered unlikely to feature, narrowing Ruud van Nistelrooy’s options in both defence and attack.

Nottingham Forest vs Leicester City live score and stats

The match ended 2-2, with Nottingham Forest taking the lead twice through Morgan Gibbs-White at the 25-minute mark and Chris Wood shortly after the hour. Forest had sought a home victory to boost their top-five ambitions but ultimately settled for a point that guaranteed European qualification for next season.

Leicester demonstrated resilience to recover from deficits on both occasions, despite playing the final thirteen minutes with ten men following Luke Thomas’s second booking. FotMob recorded possession statistics of 56% for Forest and 44% for Leicester, reflecting the home side’s territorial dominance for much of the contest.

Statistical Breakdown

Forest registered 15 total shots compared to Leicester’s 10, with both sides creating four clear-cut opportunities. The xG figures of 1.30 for Forest and 1.05 for Leicester indicate that the scoreline fairly represented the balance of play throughout the ninety minutes.

Nottingham Forest vs Leicester City match timeline

The fixture unfolded with early pressure from the home side before Leicester settled into their defensive shape. Here are the key moments from the contest at The City Ground:

1. 16′ – Coady yellow card: Conor Coady became the first player booked for a foul on the Forest wing.
2. 25′ – Gibbs-White goal: Morgan Gibbs-White opened the scoring with a composed finish past Stolarczyk.
3. 39′ – Justin yellow card: James Justin picked up a booking for a late challenge on the Forest right flank.
4. 56′ – Wood goal: Chris Wood doubled Forest’s advantage with his second goal in as many meetings against Leicester this season.
5. 58′ – Thomas yellow card: Luke Thomas received his first booking for a tactical foul.
6. 60′ – Morato yellow card: Forest centre-back Morato was booked for dissent.
7. 69′ – Aina yellow card: Ola Aina joined the list of cautioned players.
8. 73′ – Anderson yellow card: Elliot Anderson picked up a booking for a challenge near the halfway line.
9. 74′ – Yates substitution: Ryan Yates replaced Nicolás Domínguez for Forest.
10. 77′ – Thomas second yellow (red): Luke Thomas received a second booking for impeding an opponent, reducing Leicester to ten men.
11. 83′ – Awoniyi substitution: Taiwo Awoniyi entered the contest for Ibrahim Sangaré.
12. 91′ – Jota Silva substitution: Jota Silva replaced Anthony Elanga in added time.

The match concluded with Leicester holding on for a valuable point despite their numerical disadvantage, while Forest secured the European qualification that had been their primary objective entering the final stretch of the season.

What information is confirmed versus what remains unclear?

While the match events and team selections are fully documented through official sources, several peripheral matters remain subject to clarification. The recovery timeline for Mads Hermansen following his season-ending injury has not been specified in public communications. Similarly, Forest have not disclosed the expected timeframe for Hudson-Odoi’s return from his hamstring complaint.

Why this fixture matters for both clubs

The East Midlands derby carried distinct motivations for each side entering the fixture. Nottingham Forest were pursuing a win that would have potentially moved them back into fifth place, maintaining pressure on the clubs occupying the remaining European qualification positions. The draw, while securing continental football for next season, represented a missed opportunity given the dropped points at home.

Leicester City arrived at The City Ground operating under considerable pressure, with their Premier League status under threat as the season entered its decisive phase. Despite the constraints imposed by injuries and suspensions, the visitors demonstrated the character that has defined their recent history in this fixture, recovering twice to claim a point that could prove significant in their survival bid.

The fixture also held personal significance for Jamie Vardy, who approached the match on the brink of milestone achievements. His continued influence on the team, even at this stage of his career, underscores the importance of experienced leadership within the squad during critical moments.

Sources and further coverage

Forest sought a home win to boost top-five hopes but settled for a European-qualifying draw. Leicester fought back for the point despite red-card challenges.

— Sports Illustrated match preview

Forest won 3-1 at Leicester in October 2024 (Wood double), aiming for a league double since 1994/95 and third straight win over Leicester in three decades.

— The Top Flight preview coverage

Additional reporting and statistical analysis can be found through Sky Sports and FotMob for live match data. For squad information and official league records, the Nottingham Forest official website provides comprehensive club communications.

Summary

Nottingham Forest and Leicester City shared the points in a 2-2 draw at The City Ground on May 11, 2025. Forest’s goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood secured European qualification, though the home side missed the chance to reclaim fifth place. Leicester fought back twice despite playing the final thirteen minutes with ten men following Luke Thomas’s dismissal. Both teams employed identical 4-2-3-1 formations, with lineups closely matching pre-match predictions across multiple sources. For further context and analysis of this fixture, readers may refer to our related coverage on Nottm Forest vs Leicester City – Preview, Prediction and Stats.

Frequently Asked Questions