Nottingham Forest vs. Leicester City: What Most People Get Wrong About the East Midlands Derby

If you walk into a pub in Nottingham and call the match against Leicester "the big one," you might get some funny looks. Most Forest fans will tell you their blood boils for Derby County. Across the A46, Leicester fans often have their eyes on Coventry or even the big boys in London.

But here is the thing. Nottingham Forest vs. Leicester City is quietly becoming the most competitive and explosive fixture in the Midlands.

It isn’t just about proximity. It’s about two clubs that have both climbed the mountain, won the league against all odds, and are now fighting for oxygen in a Premier League that’s harder to stay in than ever before. While the media obsesses over the North London Derby or the Manchester clash, the tension between the City Ground and the King Power has reached a fever pitch.

The Modern Beef: More Than Just Neighbors

Last season’s 2-2 draw in May 2025 was a perfect example of why this game is a nightmare for managers and a dream for neutrals. Forest were chasing a top-seven finish—an unthinkable dream a few years ago—while Leicester were fighting for their lives.

Facundo Buonanotte’s 81st-minute equalizer didn't just grab a point for the Foxes; it felt like a statement of intent. Even when Leicester are down, they seem to find a way to annoy Forest.

Honestly, the "little brother" narrative that Forest fans used to push is dead. You've got two teams with incredibly similar records. Historically, they are neck-and-neck. Forest has 42 wins, Leicester has 41, and they’ve shared 28 draws.

That is about as close as it gets in professional football.

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What Really Happened With the 12-0?

You’ll hear Forest fans bring up the 12-0 win from 1909 like it happened yesterday. It’s the record league win for the Tricky Trees and a source of eternal shame for the Foxes.

But there’s a detail most people miss.

The Leicester Fosse (as they were called then) players were reportedly hungover. Several members of the squad had attended a teammate's wedding the night before. They were already relegated and, basically, they just didn’t show up. The Football League actually launched an inquiry because the scoreline was so ridiculous they thought the match was fixed.

It wasn’t. It was just a lot of hungover men trying to chase 11 very fast footballers.

The Tactical War: Nuno vs. the New Guard

Nuno Espírito Santo has turned Forest into a counter-attacking machine. In their 3-1 win at the King Power in October 2024, Chris Wood looked like the best striker in the world for about 90 minutes. He’s a former Leicester man, which always adds that extra bit of spice.

Wood scoring twice against his old club? Classic script-writing.

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Leicester’s approach under their recent setups has been more about possession and finding gaps through guys like Bilal El Khannouss and the ageless Jamie Vardy. Vardy is a menace in this fixture. Even at his age, he’s still the one Forest defenders are most worried about when the ball turns over.

Why the 2025/26 Season Changes Everything

As we sit here in January 2026, the stakes have shifted again. Forest had a rocky December, losing to Man City and Everton, while Leicester has been trying to find consistency after their recent promotion-relegation roller coaster.

The gap between "European contenders" and "relegation scrap" is about three bad weeks.

In their most recent FA Cup encounter just days ago, Wrexham actually knocked Forest out on penalties. That kind of result puts immense pressure on the next league game. If Forest can't beat their local rivals after a domestic cup embarrassment, the fans at the City Ground won't be happy.

Key Players Who Define This Rivalry Now

• Morgan Gibbs-White (Forest): Everything goes through him. If he’s on his game, Forest wins. If he’s marked out by someone like Wilfred Ndidi, Forest stalls.
• Facundo Buonanotte (Leicester): He’s the spark. His ability to jink inside defenders—like he did to Morato in the 2-2 draw—is world-class.
• Chris Wood (Forest): He reached 100 Premier League goal involvements recently. He knows where the goal is, and more importantly, he knows exactly how to hurt Leicester's backline.
• Conor Coady (Leicester): He’s the vocal leader. In high-pressure derbies, you need someone who isn't going to panic when the Trent End starts roaring.

The "Cinderella" Comparison

There is a constant debate on Reddit and in pubs about whose story is better.

Forest won the league in 1978 right after being promoted, then won back-to-back European Cups. Leicester won the league in 2016 at 5,000-1 odds.

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Forest fans argue that back-to-back European titles are the ultimate achievement. Leicester fans argue that winning the league in the "money era" of the Premier League is statistically more difficult.

Both are right. That’s why this rivalry is so deep. They aren't just fighting for points; they’re fighting for the soul of the East Midlands and the right to be called the region's greatest overachiever.

Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors

If you are looking at the next time these two face off, keep these things in mind:

• Watch the Set Pieces: Forest has been incredibly strong from dead-ball situations lately. Gibbs-White’s delivery to Wood is a proven goal-scoring formula.
• The Former Player Factor: It’s a cliché because it’s true. Players like Chris Wood or even management figures like Martin O'Neill (who famously crossed the divide) always seem to have an outsized impact on the atmosphere.
• Check the Lineups for Fatigue: Both teams have dealt with thin squads this winter. If Ibrahim Sangaré or Elliot Anderson are missing for Forest, their midfield loses its bite.

Keep an eye on the injury reports for Taiwo Awoniyi. His absence has forced Forest to rely almost exclusively on Wood, making them more predictable. For Leicester, the fitness of veteran Jamie Vardy still dictates how high their defensive line can play.

The next chapter of Nottingham Forest vs. Leicester City is likely to be just as chaotic as the last century of meetings. Whether it's a 12-0 freak show or a 2-2 tactical stalemate, don't expect a quiet afternoon.