Preview: Nottingham Forest vs Fiorentina— Prediction, Team news, Stats, Lineups

Match Analysis 05 August 2025 Hits: 21

Forest and Fiorentina clash this Tuesday in Nottingham. It’s a pre-season match, but both clubs need a lift ahead of a long campaign. Forest are desperate for a win, while Fiorentina aim to build momentum under new boss Stefano Pioli.

Forest have no victories in five friendlies so far, 4 draws and 1 loss, and their attack has scored just once. They’re in Europa or Conference League pending Crystal Palace’s appeal and need reinforcements. Fiorentina started better under Pioli with wins over Grosseto and Carrarese before flying to England.

They opened their tour with a 2–0 loss to Leicester but still look sharper. With new signings settling in, expectations are rising.

Photo Credit ( Getty Images)

Nottingham Forest vs Fiorentina: Key Stats

Forest are scoreless in 4 of their 5 preseason games
Forest are winless in their last 4 home friendlies
Fiorentina have scored 2+ goals in 6 of their last 7 preseason wins
Forest and Fiorentina have never met before
Fiorentina hold a narrow historic edge in friendlies vs English teams (7–8–others)

Photo Credit (Nottingham Forest Fc)

What to Expect From Both Teams

Nottingham Forest;

Nuno Espirito Santo is still tinkering. Taiwo Awoniyi is back from injury and could play alongside Chris Wood or summer signing Igor Jesus. New winger Dan Ndoye and Jair Cunha may also feature. Forest need goals—fast—as they gear up for Brentford in two weeks.

Fiorentina;

Pioli’s 3-4-2-1 setup gives them balance. Moise Kean leads the line and scored twice in Italy. Pablo Mari and Davide De Gea add experienced defensive weight. Expect a more organised side, comfortable in midfield and fast in transition.

Predicted Lineups

Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1)🔴⚪️: Sels; Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Richards; Yates, Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood

Fiorentina (3-4-2-1)🟣⚪️: De Gea; Comuzzo, Mari, Ranieri; Dodô, Fagioli, Richardson, Gosens; Sabiri, Fazzini; Kean

Players and Matchups to Watch

Gibbs‑White vs Fagioli: Creativity versus control in the midfield engine rooms.
Kean’s runs: Fiorentina’s top scorer in form is key to everything.
Gibbs‑White vs Fagioli:Creativity versus control in the midfield engine rooms.
Milenkovic vs Kean: Veteran defender up against a forward in form.
Hudson‑Odoi vs Dodo: Forest’s winger vs Fiorentina’s attacking wing-back in a battle for width.

Forest needs a result that gets people believing again before the real season starts. Fiorentina already looks sharp—they’ve got their structure, and they know what they’re doing. It’s one team still figuring things out against another that’s already moving. At the City Ground, expect energy, noise, and a proper test for both sides.

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