Last Word on Football brings you the latest team news and the predicted lineups ahead of Sunderland vs Nottingham Forest on Friday night. The hosts were narrowly beaten 4-3 last time out at Aston Villa but are still in the hunt for a European place, something they could have only dreamt about at the start of the season. Whatever happens, they will have had an excellent season.
Forest are battling at the wrong end of the table and are desperate for points to put a little daylight between themselves and third from bottom Tottenham, who play already relegated Wolves on Saturday. The Tricky Trees also have a two-legged European semi-final on the horizon, which may play a part in their survival hopes should the extra games take their toll
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Sunderland vs Nottingham Forest: Latest Team News and Predicted Lineups
Date: Friday 24th April 2026
Venue: Stadium of Light
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Last meeting: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Sunderland (27th September 2025)
Referee: Darren England
Current odds: Sunderland 17/10, Nottingham Forest 13/8 (Sky Bet)
Sunderland Team News
No changes to Sunderland’s squad are expected. However, there were doubts over several players over the past week due to illness, but Regis Le Bris has confirmed that all is now well with those who were affected. He said: “Last week we had a few players unwell, which can happen. So they were just on the edge, five of six of the players so it was massive for us. But it is what it is. You have to manage the situation.”
The Black Cats will once again be without Nilson Angulo, Bertrand Traore, and Jocelin Ta Bi. However, the trio are making progress with Le Bris saying, “Nilson and Berto are close to returning for part training next week, so probably a bit with the squad.
“Jocelin started the sessions with us this week, so we might go further next week because he felt good, which is good news, and nothing else to flag.”
Nottingham Forest Team News
Callum Hudson-Odoi, Willy Bolly, Nicolo Savona, John Victor, and Murillo will be missing. However, Dan Ndoye, who missed the victory against Burnley, is available.
On Murillo missing the game at the Stadium of Light, Forest boss Vitor Pereira said: “He is out. We will see. It is a muscle injury. I’m not a doctor, I cannot predict, but he will be out tomorrow. I think it will be more than one game.”
On NDoye: “Now, he is better and can play tomorrow. He can help us tomorrow because he is on the list. It was not serious, it was just a small problem.”
Sunderland Predicted Lineup
Roefs
Mukiele
Reinildo
Ballard
Alderete
Xhaka
Sadiki
Diarra
Rigg
Le Fee
Brobbey
Nottingham Forest Predicted Lineup
Sels
Aina
Milenkovic
Morato
Williams
Sangare
Anderson
Bakwa
Gibbs-White
Hutchinson
Jesus
Featured image courtesy of SmartFrame/Ryan Crockett/Every Second Media
