Forest vs Wolves

A high-stakes "relegation six-pointer" arrives at The City Ground this Wednesday, February 11, 2026, as Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest hosts a beleaguered Wolverhampton Wanderers. Kick-off is set for 19:30 GMT.

The narrative is one of desperation. Forest (17th, 26 points) sit just three points above the drop zone following a bruising 3–1 defeat to Leeds United on Friday. For Rob Edwards’ Wolves (20th, 8 points), the situation is even more dire; rooted to the bottom of the table and 18 points from safety, they are essentially fighting for their Premier League lives.

Match Information

Nottingham Forest: Searching for Defensive Steel

Since taking over, Sean Dyche has transformed Forest into a more resilient unit, but recent "passive" performances have seen them slide back toward the bottom three. With West Ham winning over the weekend, the cushion has thinned, making this home fixture against the league's basement side a non-negotiable three points.

Team News and Selection:

• The Murillo Factor: There is hope that star defender Murillo will return to the starting XI after missing the Leeds clash. His presence is vital for a backline that looked disorganized on Friday.

• Striker Shortage: With Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi sidelined long-term, Igor Jesus is expected to lead the line. Recent arrival Lorenzo Lucca remains an option off the bench.

• Midfield Engine: Morgan Gibbs-White remains the primary creative hub, facing his former club once again.

• Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): John; Williams, Milenković, Murillo, Morato; Sangaré, Anderson; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Igor Jesus.

Wolves: The Great Escape or Final Stand?

Rob Edwards has endured a nightmare run, with Wolves managing only one league win all season. Recent heavy departures in the January window—including Jørgen Strand Larsen to Crystal Palace—have thinned the squad significantly. However, a massive 6–1 FA Cup win over Shrewsbury and a fighting performance against Chelsea (1–3) have offered small glimmers of hope.

Team News and Selection:

• Injury Woes: Captain Toti Gomes is out with a hamstring injury. Ladislav Krejčí has returned to training and could be vital in a makeshift back three.

• New Faces: High expectations surround January signings Angel Gomes and Adam Armstrong, both of whom are desperate to provide the goals Wolves have lacked (only 16 all season).

• Midfield Battle: João Gomes and André have been rare bright spots, but their disciplinary record (8 yellows each) remains a concern in high-tension games.

• Predicted XI (3-4-3): Johnstone; Mosquera, Agbadou, Krejčí; Tchatchoua, André, J. Gomes, Wolfe; Angel Gomes, Armstrong, Hwang.

? Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats

• The Dominant Red: Nottingham Forest won the reverse fixture 1–0 at Molineux in December and also beat Wolves 3–0 in their last meeting at the City Ground in early 2025.

• Wolves' Away Drought: Wolves have not won an away game in the Premier League this season (0W, 3D, 9L).

• Set-Piece Specialist: Forest’s James Ward-Prowse (if selected) or Gibbs-White will look to exploit a Wolves side that has conceded 48 goals this season, many from dead-ball situations.

• Discipline: Both teams are among the most cautioned in the league; expect a physical, stop-start encounter.

Tactical Preview and Prediction

Dyche will likely set Forest up to be "direct and physical," utilizing the height of his defenders and the pace of Callum Hudson-Odoi on the break. Wolves, under Edwards, try to maintain a more expansive style but have been repeatedly punished in transition.

If Forest can weather the early energy from Wolves' new signings, their home advantage and Dyche’s survival experience should see them through. A loss for Wolves here would likely signal the end of their realistic hopes for survival.

Final Score Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2–0 Wolves