Detailed Nottingham Forest Season Preview: Insights and Predictions

Where Did Nottingham Forest Finish Last Season?

Though Nottingham Forest always seem to be in the Premier League limelight for a plethora of reasons - may they be good or bad ones at that - they spent last season's top-flight campaign in the spotlight for their outstanding and daring on-field achievements.

Despite being tipped as one of the favourites to be relegated back into the Championship at the end of the 24/25 season, following two consecutively nail-biting but eventually successful relegation battles, Espirito Nuno Santo and his side shocked the league by maintaining a surprise push for Champions League qualification over the course of their campaign. Though they sadly lost momentum in the twilight of the season to fall short of that metric, they still secured European football for the first time in 30 years by way of the UEFA Conference League, finishing in 7th position in the Premier League.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST ARE THIRD IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE 🚨 pic.twitter.com/54lqWamtj8

— Louis Wheeldon (@LouisWheeldonNS) December 21, 2024

They made their way through domestic trophy formats in solid style, too. An early exit in the Carabao Cup at the hands of Newcastle United was more than made up for by a Wembley visit in the FA Cup semi-final, where they fell short to eventual runners-up Manchester City by a score of 2-0 in the capital.

However, off-field circumstances have seen Forest squaring up with a promotion to the Europa League for the forthcoming season, with John Textor's opinion-splitting involvement in both Olympique Lyon and Crystal Palace, who secured their ticket to the competition by besting Man City in the aforementioned FA Cup final, seeing the latter moved into the Conference League due to UEFA's ever-confusing multi-club ownership rules (pending an appeal from The Eagles).

Best Result: Nottingham Forest 7-0 Brighton: (Dunk 12' og, Gibbs-White 25', Wood 32', 64', 69', Williams 89', Silva 90'+1)

Worst Result: Bournemouth 5-0 Forest: (Kluivert 9', Ouattara 55', 61', 87', Semenyo 90+1')

Who Have Nottingham Forest Signed In The Summer Transfer Window So Far?

Omari Hutchinson from Ipswich Town - £37 Million

🚨🌳 Nottingham Forest agree deal to sign Omari Hutchinson from Ipswich Town for £37m fee, here we go!

Omari, on his way to medical right now as personal terms are also agreed for new #NFFC signing.

Follows James McAtee (done) and Arnaud Kalimuendo (very close). pic.twitter.com/jaSJF4VwsF

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 15, 2025

Dan Ndoye from Bologna - £34 Million

Dilane Bakwa from RC Strasbourg - £30.3 Million

James McAtee from Manchester City - £22 Million + £8 Million Add Ons

Arnaud Kalimuendo from Rennes - £26 Million

Nicolo Savona from Juventus - £14 Million

Jair Cunha from Botafogo - £10.4 Million

John Victor from Botafogo - £10 Million

Igor Jesus from Botafogo - £10 Million

Cherif Yaya from Rio Ave - Undisclosed Fee

Angus Gunn from Norwich - Free Transfer

Donnell McNeilly from Chelsea - Free Transfer

Douglas Luiz from Juventus - Season long loan with Obligation to Buy

Oleksandr Zinchenko from Arsenal - Season long loan

Total Spent: £179.7 Million + £8 Million in Potential Add Ons

Who Have Nottingham Forest Sold in the Summer Transfer Window So Far?

Anthony Elanga to Newcastle United - £55 Million

Ramon Sosa to Palmeiras - £10.4 Million

Andrew Omobamidele to RC Strasbourg Alsace - Loan made permanent for £9 Million

Matt Turner to Olympique Lyonnais - £6.8 Million

Carlos Miguel to Palmeiras - £4.7 Million

Marko Stamenic to Swansea City - £2 Million

Dale Taylor to Blackpool - Undisclosed Fee

Lewis O'Brien to Wrexham - Undisclosed Fee

Ben Perry to Colchester United - Undisclosed Fee

Jack Perkins to Northampton Town - Undisclosed Fee

Jonathan Panzo to Rio Ave - Free Transfer

David Carmo to Real Oviedo - Season long loan

Eric Da Silva Moreira to Rio Ave - Season long loan

Donnell McNeilly to Wycombe Wanderers - Season long loan

Tyler Bindon to Sheffield United - Season long loan

Josh Powell to Colchester United - Season long loan

Kyle McAdam to Mansfield Town - Season long loan

Emmanuel Dennis - Released

Harry Toffolo - Released

Wayne Hennessey - Released

Josh Bowler - Released

Alex Moreno to Aston Villa - End of Loan

Joel Ndala to Manchester City - End of Loan

Total Received: £87.9 Million

Nottingham Forest 2025/26 Squad List

Goalkeepers: Matz Sels.

Defenders: Ola Aina, Nicolo Savona, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Nikola Milenkovic, Willy Boly, Eric da Silva Moreira, Neco Williams, Murillo, Morato, Omar Richards, Jair Cunha.

Midfielders: Ryan Yates, Nicolas Dominguez, Omari Hutchinson, James McAtee, Morgan Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson, Ibrahim Sangare, Lewis O'Brien.

Attackers: Igor Jesus, Taiwo Awoniyi, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Chris Wood, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Jota Silva, Dilane Bakwa.

Nottingham Forest 2025/26 Home, Away and Third Kits

Nottingham Forest’s new home shirt.

Retro vibes. 🌳 pic.twitter.com/t7cDwyBaKO

— Secret Shirt Co (@secretshirtco) July 11, 2025

Nottingham Forest x adidas away

Featuring a bespoke pattern that incorporates the Forest badge 😍 pic.twitter.com/U4pLI1KuWW

— They Think Kits All Over (@TheyThinkKits) August 7, 2025

Nottingham Forest 25/26 Third Kit by Adidas pic.twitter.com/Yn7aR1xoHK

— Athlete Vanity (@AthleteVanity) August 28, 2025

What is Nottingham Forest’s Opening Premier League Fixture?

Nottingham Forest vs Brentford | The City Ground, Nottingham | Sunday, August 17th, 14:00

How Can I Watch Tottenham vs Burnley?

Nottingham Forest's opening day clash with Brentford has been selected for live Super Sunday coverage by Sky Sports.

What Are Nottingham Forest's First Five Fixtures?

Nottingham Forest vs Brentford - Sunday, August 17th

Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest - Sunday, August 24th

Nottingham Forest vs West Ham United - Sunday, August 31st

Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest - Saturday, September 13th.

Burnley vs Nottingham Forest - Saturday, September 30th.

When Do Nottingham Forest Play Rivals Leeds United in 2025/26?

With all of their local derby opponents playing in the Championship or below, Nottingham Forest’s only perceived rivals for the upcoming season may be Leeds United. Though the two clubs will have largely differing aspirations on the field, the duo have a fairly fiery history between each other.

Last Five Meetings:

- 04/04/2023 - Leeds United 2-1 Nottingham Forest (Premier League)

- 05/02/2023 - Nottingham Forest 1-0 Leeds United (Premier League)

- 08/02/2020 - Nottingham Forest 2-0 Leeds United (EFL Championship)

- 10/08/2019 - Leeds United 1-1 Nottingham Forest (EFL Championship)

- 01/01/2019 - Nottingham Forest 4-2 Leeds United (EFL Championship)

Who is Nottingham Forest’s Manager for 2025/26?

Evangelos Marinakis has handed Nuno Espírito Santo a new three-year contract until the summer of 2028. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/SCYwWz4DRW

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) June 21, 2025

Nottingham Forest fans will have been forgiven at the time of Nuno Santo's arrival for being apprehensive of his appointment as manager, no less due to the fact it meant the departure of Steve Cooper, a manager who rose to legend status in a few short years with the club after restoring the joy to a rotting Championship relegation contender, before achieving an outstanding Premier League promotion for The Reds after decades away.

However, Nuno Santo has more than convinced even the hardest-set opinion-makers amongst the fanbase in his first full year in charge of the club. After guiding the side through a points deduction and a slipping grip on a relegation battle, the former Porto goalkeeper guided Forest from a successful relegation battle to a successful European qualification in the space of just over a season, finding the signings and the style of play that suited Forest to their core and left the Premier League stunned. Though momentum slipped in the final weeks of the season, it was a campaign to be proud of.

The Portuguese manager, revered at Wolverhampton Wanderers for providing similar exploits, was rumoured to be on the way out of The City Ground this summer, but a contract extension until 2028 signed at the back end of June has tied the fan-favourite boss to a commitment to their forthcoming European adventure.

Who is Nottingham Forest’s Player to Watch?

Elliot Anderson

Elliot Anderson won possession 207 times in the Premier League last season. Only Bruno Fernandes (213) and Moisés Caicedo (229) won the ball more.

Grafter. 🔋 pic.twitter.com/4nEXXmjBsA

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) July 2, 2025

Though signed with more of an attacking intention placed behind him, Elliot Anderson made the central midfield position his own within Forest's ranks over the course of last season, with his work-ethic, tenacity and ability in possession all making him out as a shining light within red ranks.

With the departure of Anthony Elanga confirmed and the controversial sale of Morgan Gibbs-White likely to be confirmed at some point this summer, Anderson may well receive a larger share of the plaudits across the forthcoming campaign, with his performances in the recent U21 European Championship giving the wider footballing world a glimpse of his phenomenal talent.

Nottingham Forest 2025/26 Season Prediction

Though losing Anthony Elanga will no doubt hurt Nuno Espirito Santo’s side after his inspired performances last season, Forest have mitigated his departure with some thrifty signing. Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee will provide their electric youthful exuberance, while the signings of Douglas Luiz, Arnaud Kalimuendo and Dan Ndoye bring in both experience, and quality rotation options.

These have made Forest something of a dark horse for the 2025/26 season. Stunning millions with their season long Champions League push last season, it is easy for neutrals to tag them as a one season wonder. However, with much of their squad still present after last season's exploits, Nottingham have more than enough about them to fire themselves into upper mid-table conversation.

There is however the caveat of European football. Competing on the continental scene for the first time since 1996 will bring with it unique pressures that few of the squad have faced before. Though they have brought in significant squad depth to mitigate these difficulties, I cannot see them seriously competing on both fronts. They either excel in the league, or go deep in the UEFA Conference League. I see the latter as more likely.

Football Park’s Prediction: 12th