3 things to look forward to in the Nottingham Forest season run-in
03/31/2025 12:42 AM
After an exciting Premier League matchweek 29, the players have teamed up with their respective countries for international duty.
Nottingham Forest have been the surprise-package in the Premier League this season. Just a year ago, they were deducted four points following Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) breach and dropped into the Premier League’s relegation zone. It led to a messy end to the 2023/24 season, with the Tricky Trees eventually beating the drop and finishing 17th in the table.
Fast forward and Nottingham Forest are on the cusp of a fantastic achievement as they close in on Champions League qualification. They are third in the standings with nine games left and hold a six-point advantage to Manchester City in fifth.
Now that the international break has taken over, here are the three things to look forward to from Forest in their final stretch of games.
#Can they qualify for the Champions League?
This is perhaps the biggest question in the minds of the fans, the media and the broadcasters—can Nuno Espirito Santo guide Forest to an unbelievable spot in the Champions League?
Nuno's side dispatched relegation-threatened Ipswich Town before heading into the international break, establishing a seven-point cushion for a spot with the Europe's elite. The Portuguese tactician has fostered team spirit, work ethic and energy which has propelled the Midlands club into the top four as they chase a return to Europe for the first time in almost three decades.
Forest do have tricky fixtures during their season's final run-in, but given they have a healthy squad and teams around them dropping points every weekend, there is no reason why Nuno and Co. cannot secure Champions League qualification.
#Can Chris Wood hit the magic 30 mark?
What a season Chris Wood is having at Forest! The veteran striker has fired Nuno's side into surprise Champions League contention with 18 goals and three assists in 29 appearances. For his fabulous goalscoring performances, the club rewarded him with a two-year contract extension until 2027.
Wood is enjoying the best season of his Premier League career. The last time he scored 18 times or more in a season was during the 2016/17 Championship campaign when the Kiwi smashed 30 goals in 48 appearances for Leeds United.
Given his form in front of goal and the relationship he has built with the likes of Anthony Elanga, Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi, Wood can replicate the 2016/17 campaign but in the top flight and for the Tricky Trees.
#Will Matz Sels continue his fantastic form?
A lot of praise have been given towards Forest's attackers this season, and rightly so, but one cannot ignore the massive contributions from their defenders. Summer signing Nikola Milenkovic has formed a rock-solid partnership with Murillo at the heart of the defence. Ola Aina is a strong contender for the PL Team of the Season, while Nico Williams continues to impress from the right-back spot.
Behind them is goalkeeper Matz Sels who has silently enjoyed a superb season. He is leading the race for the Golden Glove with 12 clean sheets, proving his credentials with some incredible performances in between the sticks. The Belgian is part of the fourth-best defence in the division and has been a huge influence in what has been an incredible turnaround at City Ground.
Sels has a great chance to script his name in the Forest history books by winning the Golden Glove award and guiding the club to Champions League qualification. If he can continue his great form, there is every reason the veteran shot-stopper scoops this accolade.
The post 3 things to look forward to in the Nottingham Forest season run-in appeared first on Mad About EPL.
