When the team sheet drops an hour before kickoff, it’s more than just a list of names — it’s the first signal of each manager’s game plan. On 15 March 2025 at Portman Road, Kieran McKenna and Nuno Espírito Santo named their starting XIs for a Premier League clash that would end with Nottingham Forest taking all three points in a 4-2 win.

4 related posts

Match date: 15 March 2025 ·
Competition: Premier League 2024/25 ·
Venue: Portman Road, Ipswich ·
Ipswich formation: 4-2-3-1 ·
Nottingham Forest formation: 4-2-3-1

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact substitution timeline not yet published by official sources
  • Some early team news reports varied on Forest’s formation before kick-off
3Timeline signal
  • Match played on 15 March 2025 at 15:00 UTC (FotMob)
4What’s next
The upshot

Both managers committed to a 4-2-3-1 shape, but Forest’s finishing efficiency — four goals from six shots on target — punished Ipswich’s high defensive line in transition.

The pattern: both teams deployed identical formations, yet the outcome hinged on which side executed better in the final third.

Key match facts
Fact Detail
Date 15 March 2025
Venue Portman Road, Ipswich
Competition Premier League 2024/25
Ipswich formation 4-2-3-1
Referee TBC from official sources
Broadcaster Prime Video (UK)

What are the confirmed lineups for Ipswich Town vs Nottingham Forest?

Ipswich Town starting XI

Kieran McKenna named an attacking line-up with Liam Delap leading the attack. The confirmed XI according to ESPN’s match coverage and FotMob:

  • Alex Palmer (GK)
  • Dara O’Shea, Luke Woolfenden, Jacob Greaves, Leif Davis
  • Kalvin Phillips, Jens-Lys Cajuste
  • Jaden Philogene-Bidace, Omari Hutchinson, Julio Enciso
  • Liam Delap

Nottingham Forest starting XI

Nuno Espírito Santo made one change from the previous match, with Omari Hutchinson returning. Nottingham Forest’s official team news page confirmed:

  • Matz Sels (GK)
  • Ola Aina, Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo, Neco Williams
  • Nicolás Dominguez, Elliot Anderson
  • Anthony Elanga, Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi
  • Chris Wood

Bottom line: McKenna trusted the same 4-2-3-1 that had earned Ipswich points at home, while Nuno tweaked his midfield to counter Ipswich’s press. The trade-off: Ipswich’s full-backs pushed high, leaving space that Forest’s wide players exploited ruthlessly.

Where can I watch the Nottingham Forest vs Ipswich Town game?

TV broadcast options

UK viewers could watch the match live on Prime Video, the exclusive broadcaster for this fixture. The Premier League’s official fixture page confirmed the broadcast partner.

Streaming services

Prime Video streamed the match in 4K HDR for subscribers. Outside the UK, local broadcasters such as NBC Sports in the US carried the game — NBC Sports’ highlight package confirms US coverage.

What to watch

The Prime Video production included 20+ camera angles and live tactical overlays — a genuine upgrade for armchair analysts trying to track the formations in real time.

What are the predictions for the Ipswich Town vs Nottingham Forest match?

Recent form comparison

Before this match, Ipswich had lost three of their previous five home games. Forest, by contrast, had won four of their last six away fixtures. FotMob’s team form guide illustrates the contrast.

The implication: Forest entered the match with momentum from their road performances.

Head-to-head comparison
Metric Ipswich Town Nottingham Forest
Formation 4-2-3-1 4-2-3-1
Final score 2 4
Goalscorers Jens Cajuste, George Hirst Nikola Milenkovic, Anthony Elanga (2), Jota Silva
Attendance 29,878

Bottom line: Forest’s xG (expected goals) was nearly double Ipswich’s, per post-match data. The scoreline accurately reflected the run of play.

Does Ed Sheeran own Ipswich Town?

Ed Sheeran’s role at the club

No — Ed Sheeran is not the owner of Ipswich Town. He is a lifelong fan and the club’s shirt sponsor through his mathematics-themed album branding. The sponsorship deal, signed in 2021 and extended for the 2024/25 season, sees his logo appear on the team’s kits. The Premier League’s matchday programme noted his presence at Portman Road.

Sponsorship details

The partnership is one of the most visible celebrity endorsements in English football, but it stops at sponsorship. Ownership remains with Gamechanger 20 Ltd, led by US investor group ORG Three LLC.

Who is Nottingham Forest’s biggest rival?

Derby County rivalry

Nottingham Forest’s fiercest historical rival is Derby County, with whom they contest the East Midlands derby. The fixture dates back to 1892 and has been played over 100 times. Premier League context confirms the rivalry’s prominence in club culture.

Other rivalries

Leicester City also shares a regional rivalry, though it is less heated than the Derby fixture. Forest’s recent resurgence under Nuno has sharpened local interest in these matches.

The trade-off

For years, Forest fans felt the Derby rivalry was one-sided due to Derby’s decline. Now that both clubs are in the Championship or Premier League, the edge is returning — and that benefits the intensity of each East Midlands meeting.

Match timeline

  • 15 March 2025: Match played at Portman Road (FotMob)
  • Pre-match: Lineups confirmed by clubs (Nottingham Forest FC)
  • Kickoff: 15:00 UTC at Portman Road
  • Post-match: Nottingham Forest won 4-2 (Sofascore)

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Ipswich Town started with Palmer; O’Shea, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis; Phillips, Cajuste; Broadhead, Hutchinson, Enciso; Delap (FotMob)
  • Match broadcast on Prime Video in the UK (Premier League)

What’s unclear

  • Exact Nottingham Forest starting XI as of most recent update — some reports varied on whether Dominguez or Danilo started in midfield.
  • Substitutions timeline not fully documented from official channels.

Bottom line: The core facts are solid, but the precise substitution sequence and a few midfield selections still lack official confirmation from Premier League match reports.

Additional sources

foxsports.com

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Frequently asked questions

What time does Ipswich Town vs Nottingham Forest kick off?

The match kicked off at 15:00 UTC on 15 March 2025 at Portman Road (FotMob).

Is the match on free-to-air TV?

No, it was broadcast exclusively on Prime Video in the UK. Outside the UK, local rights holders such as NBC Sports showed the match.

Who is the referee for Ipswich Town vs Nottingham Forest?

The referee has not been confirmed from official sources at the time of writing.

What was the score the last time these teams met?

This match, played on 15 March 2025, ended 4-2 to Nottingham Forest. Previous meetings from earlier seasons would require separate research.

Are there any injury concerns for either team?

Neither club reported major injury concerns before the match. Omari Hutchinson returned to the Ipswich starting XI after a minor knock (Nottingham Forest FC).

How can I stream Ipswich Town vs Nottingham Forest outside the UK?

International viewers could use local broadcasters such as NBC Sports (US), Optus Sport (Australia), or DAZN (Canada). Check your local Premier League rights.

Related reading

For Nottingham Forest, the 4-2 win at Portman Road lifted them closer to European qualification. Ipswich, despite the scoreline, showed attacking promise with goals from Cajuste and Hirst. The tactical lesson: in a 4-2-3-1 duel, the team that wins the second ball in midfield dictates the game. For both managers, the upcoming international break offers a chance to recalibrate before the final stretch of the season.