As they prepare for the return of the Premier League and their foray into European competition, Nottingham Forest will face Al Qadsiah in a friendly at the City Ground on Saturday.
The Garibaldis are still waiting for their first win in pre-season, while Fares Al Sharqiyah are looking for their first victory in six games.
Match preview
Nuno Espirito Santo's Nottingham Forest enjoyed an excellent top-flight campaign, despite the fact that a poor run of form in the final stages saw them miss out on a Champions League place.
The Tricky Trees finished the season in seventh place with 65 points, just one shy of fifth-placed Newcastle United, though they did earn a spot in the Europa League's league phase.
However, Espirito Santo's side have continued their dire spell throughout the summer, failing to win any of their six pre-season matches, drawing four and losing two.
Hoping to end their seven-game winless streak this weekend, the hosts will have to defy their shocking home record that features four defeats and three draws in a run going back to April 1.
Saturday's clash represents Forest's final chance to get back to winning ways before the English top flight resumes when they welcome Brentford on August 17.
Al-Qadsiah manager Michel on August 4, 2025
Meanwhile, Michel's Al Qadsiah enjoyed a strong first campaign back in the Saudi Pro League following their promotion, and they will be keen to build some momentum ahead of the start of the new season.
In 2024-25, Fares Al Sharqiyah ended the term in fourth place with 68 points, just two behind third-placed Al-Nassr, though they withdrew from the AGCFF Gulf Club Champions League.
In preparation for a return to top-flight action, Michel's men have found pre-season difficult, carrying their end-of-season form into the summer by losing one and drawing two of their three friendlies to date.
To make matters worse, fans of the visitors will be concerned that their team have only won once on the road in their nine away matches since mid-February, drawing three and losing the other five.
A rare victory on Saturday for Al Qadsiah could give them a significant psychological boost ahead of their Super Cup clash against Al-Ahli on August 20.
Nottingham Forest Club Friendlies form:
D
D
L
D
L
D
Nottingham Forest form (all competitions):
D
D
L
D
L
D
Al Qadsiah Club Friendlies form:
Al Qadsiah form (all competitions):
W
L
L
L
D
D
Team News
Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White pictured on May 18, 2025
Forest will be without Nicolas Dominguez until late September at the earliest, so expect Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson should start in the centre of the park on Saturday.
The pair should be flanked by Callum Hudson-Odoi and summer signing Dan Ndoye, while a striker partnership of Chris Wood and new-man Igor Jesus start up top.
As for Al Qadsiah, centre-forward Mateo Retegui is likely to make the XI alongside Abdullah Al Salem this weekend, after the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
On the flanks, wing-backs Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat and Christopher Baah will provide width, either side of midfielders Nahitan Nandez, Ezequiel Fernandez and Cameron Puertas.
In the backline, former Real Madrid star Nacho should be joined by Ibrahim Mahnashi and Gaston Alvarez in front of Koen Casteels between the sticks.
Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Sels; Williams, Murillo, Milenkovic, Jair; Ndoye, Anderson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood, Jesus
Al Qadsiah possible starting lineup:
Casteels; Mahnashi, Fernandez, Alvarez; Al-Shamat, Nandez, Fernandez, Puertas, Baah; Al-Salem, Retegui
SM words green background
We say: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Al Qadsiah
Nottingham Forest have struggled for wins at home in recent months, and they may find it difficult to break down their final pre-season opponents this weekend.
Similarly, Al Qadsiah have found it difficult to earn victories on the road, and they may have to settle for a draw on Saturday.
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