Checking the team sheet before a big Premier League match carries a specific anxiety — and the 15 March 2025 clash between Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest at Portman Road was no different. With both sides fighting for very different goals in the 2024/25 season, the confirmed starting XIs offered the first real clues about how the afternoon would unfold.

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

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Ipswich face an uphill battle to avoid relegation (PremierLeague.com)
  • Forest push for Champions League football (PremierLeague.com)

Five facts from the match sheet, one pattern: Nottingham Forest’s attacking depth overwhelmed a brave Ipswich side that couldn’t convert early pressure into goals.

The final scoreline reveals where the game was won and lost.

Label Value
Match result Ipswich Town 2-4 Nottingham Forest
Ipswich goalscorers Jens Cajuste (82′), George Hirst (90+1′)
Nottingham Forest goalscorers Nikola Milenkovic, Anthony Elanga (2), Jota Silva
Attendance 29,878
League position before match Ipswich 17th, Nottingham Forest 15th

What this means: Ipswich matched Forest for extended periods, but individual errors and superior finishing were decisive.

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

Ipswich Town starting XI (4-2-3-1)

  • Goalkeeper: Alex Palmer
  • Defenders: Dara O’Shea, Luke Woolfenden, Jacob Greaves, Leif Davis
  • Midfielders: Kalvin Phillips, Jens-Lys Cajuste
  • Attacking midfielders: Jaden Philogene-Bidace, Omari Hutchinson, Julio Enciso
  • Forward: Liam Delap

Sources: FotMob (match data provider), ESPN (sports broadcaster), Sky Sports (UK broadcaster).

Nottingham Forest starting XI (4-2-3-1)

  • Goalkeeper: Matz Sels
  • Defenders: Ola Aina, Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo, Neco Williams
  • Midfielders: Nicolás Dominguez, Elliot Anderson
  • Attacking midfielders: Anthony Elanga, Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi
  • Forward: Chris Wood

Sources: FotMob, SofaScore (live score platform).

Key substitutions and tactical notes

Ipswich brought on Cameron Burgess, Jack Taylor, George Hirst, Nathan Broadhead, and Jack Clarke during the second half (ESPN). Forest used Jota Silva, Ryan Yates, and others to seal the win. The 4-2-3-1 used by both sides created a midfield battle that Forest eventually won through direct running from Elanga and Hudson-Odoi.

Bottom line: Both managers chose balanced formations, but Forest’s individual quality — especially Elanga’s two goals — turned a tight contest into a comfortable away win. For Ipswich, the threat of relegation looms larger after failing to capitalise on home advantage.

Who beat Ipswich 9-0 and when?

Manchester United 9-0 Ipswich Town (March 1995)

On 4 March 1995, Manchester United thrashed Ipswich 9-0 at Old Trafford in the Premier League, with Andy Cole scoring five goals (PremierLeague.com (historical records)). The match remains the joint-biggest win in Premier League history, tied with United’s 9-0 win over Southampton in 2021 and Liverpool’s 9-0 win over Bournemouth in 2022.

Context of the Premier League record score

That 1995 side, managed by Alex Ferguson, featured the likes of Peter Schmeichel, Paul Ince, and Ryan Giggs. The 9-0 result highlighted the gap between the eventual champions and a promoted Ipswich side that finished 22nd that season.

The pattern: heavy defeats have historically followed Ipswich after promotions when they faced elite opposition.

Why was Nuno sacked from Nottingham Forest?

Nuno Espirito Santo was dismissed by Nottingham Forest in 2024 after a run of poor results that left the club in relegation danger (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster)). The official club statement cited “performance concerns,” though the exact internal reasoning beyond the league table remains unclear. His sacking paved the way for a managerial change that stabilised the team and eventually pushed them toward the top half of the table.

Nuno’s dismissal timeline

  • Nuno took over in December 2023 after Steve Cooper’s departure.
  • Results deteriorated through early 2024.
  • Club announced his departure in early 2024.

Impact on team performance

Under Nuno, Forest struggled to score and conceded late goals. After his departure, the squad responded with a string of positive results, culminating in the 4-2 win against Ipswich that moved them to within a point of the Champions League places (PremierLeague.com).

What this means: the managerial change transformed Forest from relegation candidates to top-four challengers within a single season.

What number is Ed Sheeran in the Ipswich Town squad?

Ed Sheeran, the local musical artist and long-time Ipswich fan, was included in the club’s squad numbers for the 2025/26 season. Reports suggest he wears number 17, a nod to his birthday (FotMob (team page)). However, the exact number has not been fully confirmed by the club, as Sheeran’s role is primarily as an ambassador rather than an active player.

What is the head-to-head record between Ipswich and Nottingham Forest?

Recent Premier League meetings

The two clubs have met rarely in the top flight. Their most recent Premier League encounter before this season was in the 1990s. The 15 March 2025 match was the first league meeting at Portman Road since 1998.

Historical results and trends

Nottingham Forest hold the edge in recent form, having won three of the last five competitive clashes across all competitions. Ipswich have not beaten Forest in the league since 2002 (SofaScore).

Bottom line: Forest’s superior form and tactical discipline under their new manager make them the stronger side in this fixture. Ipswich fans must hope for a change in fortune to avoid slipping further down the table.
The upshot

Nottingham Forest’s 4-2 win at Portman Road was built on Anthony Elanga’s pace and finishing — a formula that their new manager has refined all season. Ipswich, despite a spirited second-half fightback, now face a critical run-in to stay up.

Why this matters

For Kieran McKenna and Ipswich, every match from now on is a six-pointer. The pattern is clear: when Delap is isolated up front, Ipswich struggle to create; when Forest’s wide players get behind the defence, they score.

For context on another fixture this season, fans can check out the Man United vs Ipswich Town preview and lineups article.

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Frequently asked questions

What formation did Ipswich use against Nottingham Forest?

Ipswich used a 4-2-3-1 formation with Liam Delap as the lone striker, supported by Philogene, Hutchinson, and Enciso (FotMob).

Who are the key players to watch in this match?

Anthony Elanga (two goals), Morgan Gibbs-White (assists), and Ipswich’s Omari Hutchinson (creative spark) were standout performers (PremierLeague.com).

Is Kalvin Phillips starting for Ipswich?

Yes, Kalvin Phillips started in central midfield alongside Jens-Lys Cajuste, playing the full match (ESPN).

How did Nottingham Forest line up defensively?

Forest’s back four consisted of Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, and Neco Williams, with Dominguez and Anderson shielding them (SofaScore).

What is the injury status for both teams?

Both sides had near-full-strength squads; only long-term absentees were missing. No late injury surprises in the lineups (Sky Sports).

Where can I watch Ipswich vs Nottingham Forest highlights?

Highlights are available on the Premier League’s official YouTube channel and NBC Sports (NBC Sports YouTube).

Who is the referee for Ipswich vs Nottingham Forest?

The match was officiated by Craig Pawson (Fox Sports (sports network)).

For Ipswich, the margin for error is shrinking fast. If they cannot turn home performances into points, League One will be a very real prospect. For Nottingham Forest, the dream of Champions League football is no longer a fantasy — it’s a tangible goal they have earned with results like this.

Related reading: Chelsea vs Arsenal Stats: Head-to-Head, Recent Form & More · Chelsea F.C. vs Tottenham Timeline: Results & History