Sean Dyche makes his Premier League return on Sunday, 26 October 2025, as Nottingham Forest visit high-flying Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. It follows a dream start to life at the City Ground, where Forest claimed a 2–0 win over Porto in the Europa League — their first victory since August, as reported by Softfootball. It was also their first European triumph since 1995, a moment Dyche later described as one he had waited a long time to experience.
The 54-year-old’s appointment, as reported by Softfootball, makes him Forest’s third permanent manager this season. Now he faces the daunting task of lifting a side sitting in the relegation zone after four defeats in their last five league games.
Nottingham Forest, via their official X account, posted a video of the new manager discussing soaking in the “Mull of Kintyre” rendition and contrasts it with past playing struggles, underscoring football’s fleeting successes.
Watch the video below:
Bournemouth, meanwhile, continue to thrive under Andoni Iraola. The Cherries are fourth in the table with 15 points from eight matches (W4 D3 L1) and remain unbeaten in seven league outings. Their thrilling 3–3 draw at Crystal Palace last weekend saw 19-year-old Eli Junior Kroupi bag a brace, while Ryan Christie added the third before a late equaliser spoiled the party.
Team News
Evanilson (calf) misses out, David Brooks (hamstring) is doubtful, and Enes Ünal has returned to full training but won’t feature. For Forest, Chris Wood and Oleksandr Zinchenko are fitness doubts, while Ola Aina and Bakary Koné remain sidelined.
Possible Lineups
Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Jimenez, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert; Adams, Scott; Tavernier, Kluivert, Semenyo; Kroupi.
Nottingham Forest (5-3-2): Sels; Savona, Murillo, Morato, Milenkovic, Williams; Anderson, Sangare, Luiz; Gibbs-White, Wood.
Softfootball’s Prediction
Bournemouth 2–1 Nottingham Forest
Iraola’s men to edge it, though Dyche’s new-found resilience could make this tighter than expected.
