2025/26 OPPOSITION FOCUS: NOTTINGHAM FOREST

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As we gear up for the 2025/26 Premier League campaign we take a closer look at our opponents

2025-07-10T09:00:00.000Z

2025/26 OPPOSITION FOCUS: NOTTINGHAM FOREST

As we gear up for the 2025/26 Premier League campaign we take a closer look at our opponents

2025-07-10T09:00:00.000Z

As we gear up for the 2025/26 Premier League campaign we take a closer look at our opponents

What's their history?

Having been formed by a group of shinty players in 1865, the following year saw Forest play their first-ever game against cross-city rivals Notts County.

In the early years, Nottingham Forest were a multi-sports club playing shinty, football and baseball amongst others. Entering the FA Cup in 1878 for the first time, Forest reached the semi-finals where they lost to Old Etonians.

Rejected to join The Football League when it formed in 1888, the Reds instead joined the Football Alliance in 1889 and having won that competition in 1892, they were then permitted to join The Football League.

‘The Garibaldi’ would go on to win the FA Cup six years later beating another local rival in the form of Derby County to do so, before being relegated for the first time in 1906.

Winning the FA Cup again in 1959, Forest had been involved in numerous promotions and relegations to that point and continued in the years to come as they missed out on the 1966/67 Football League title to Manchester United.

A key relegation from the top flight came in 1972 with Brian Clough in turn becoming manager at the City Ground in January 1975, just 12 weeks after his 44-day tenure at Leeds United.

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Clough had also previously managed Derby and he picked up a Forest side sat 13th in the second tier. Slow progress followed but eventually Clough and his assistant Peter Taylor would take the club to heights never experienced before.

Starting with the Anglo-Scottish Cup in 1976/77, the duo would get the Reds back amongst England’s elite and then go on to topple them, winning the 1977/78 Football League, finishing seven points ahead of runners-up Liverpool.

The following season, Forest won the Charity Shield, League Cup and - most recognisably - the European Cup. Sensationally, they would retain the European Cup 12 months later, only eight clubs have achieved that feat to date.

In 1989 & 1990, back-to-back League Cups were also claimed by the Reds, who were then relegated from the Premier League in its inaugural campaign, with Clough retiring at the end of that season.

Returning at the first time of asking, they then finished 3rd in the top flight in the 1994/95 season, but that was as good as it got. Relegated in 1999, they would remain outside the top flight until 2022, also having a spell in League One during that time.

A 16th-placed finish in their first season back in the Premier League ensured safety, with Forest then narrowly avoiding relegation the following season, before an impressive 7th-placed finish last year saw the Reds just miss out on a European spot.

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Stadium

City Ground, famously located on the banks of the River Trent, has been home to Nottingham Forest and their fans since 1898.

The stadium currently holds just over 30,000 on a matchday, with plans recently approved to increase their capacity to 35,000 following the proposed reconstruction of the Peter Taylor Stand.

The Clarets are set to visit City Ground in April this season.

City Ground visit pushed back

Last Season

Forest entered the 2024/25 campaign looking to build on a difficult previous season that saw them narrowly avoid relegation.

Under the guidance of Nuno Espiritu Santo, the Reds made a huge improvement and were amongst the top six of the Premier League for more than half of the season.

They went on to secure a 7th place finish in the league and ended the season with 65 points, more than double what they earned the year before.

After missing out on a UEFA Champions League qualification, the final day of the campaign saw Forest narrowly miss out on UEFA Europa League qualification as well.

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Who’s the Boss?

Nuno Espiritu Santo arrived at Nottingham Forest in December 2023, when he was appointed to replace their previous manager, Steve Cooper, who departed after clinching promotion in May 2022.

The Portuguese boss arrived at the City Ground in 2023 and steered Forest to safety, after securing a 17th place finish.

His first campaign in charge last season then saw Nuno guide his team towards the top of the Premier League table, as Forest finished 7th.

A former goalkeeper, Nuno played for various clubs in Portugal, Spain, and Russia before moving into management.

He has previously taken charge of Wolves, Tottenham and Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.

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Memorable Meeting

13/09/2008 - Burnley 2 – 1 Nottingham Forest (City Ground)

Burnley recorded a narrow away win against Nottingham Forest in September 2009, with two goals from Graham Alexander securing a Clarets victory.

After a rather slow opening, the tempo picked up when Alexander found the back of the net, sending the ball past Forest keeper Paul Smith into the bottom corner.

The two teams continued the contest, until Forest found a response, equalising the game with a close-range shot that was steered home by Robert Earnshaw in the 52nd minute.

With the scores level and both pushing for a winner, a penalty was then awarded Burnley's way when a handball was called against Forest, resulting in a clinical penalty scored by Alexander.

That goal proved to be the winner at the City Ground in a tight contest against Forest.

Burnley: Jensen, Alexander, Anderson, Caldwell, Jordan, Carlisle, McCann, Elliott, McDonald (Gudjonsson 63), Paterson (Blake 57), Thompson (Akinbiyi 67)

Unused substitutes: Penny, Mahon

Nottingham Forest: Smith, Heath (Cole 80), Morgan, Chambers (McCleary 80), Wilson, Cohen, Perch, Martin, Moussi, Earnshaw, Tyson

Unused substitutes: Roberts, Breckin, Thornhill