Nottingham Forest Standings 2025-26: Battling for Premier League Survival – Latest Updates and Analysis

Nottingham Forest currently fights hard in the 2025-26 Premier League season. The team sits in 17th position in the table after 24 matches. Fans watch closely because this spot keeps them just above the relegation zone. The Reds collect 26 points so far. They secure 7 wins, 5 draws, and 12 losses. Their goal tally shows 24 goals scored and 35 conceded, which creates a goal difference of -11. This position reflects a tough campaign where survival remains the main target. Arsenal leads the league with 53 points, Manchester City follows with 47, and Aston Villa holds third with 46. Forest needs consistent results to climb away from danger.

The City Ground crowd roars support every matchday. Nottingham Forest builds on their remarkable 2024-25 season when they finished 7th and earned European qualification. However, the current season brings challenges. Managerial changes disrupt momentum early on. The club now relies on solid defense and key players to turn things around. This article dives deep into their standings, performance, key factors, and what lies ahead. Readers gain a full picture of where Forest stands today.

Current Premier League Standings Snapshot for Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest occupies 17th place in the Premier League as of early February 2026. Teams play 24 games each in this stage of the 2025-26 season. Forest earns 26 points total. Their record breaks down to 7 victories, 5 draws, and 12 defeats. They score 24 goals while conceding 35. This leaves a -11 goal difference.

Recent form shows mixed results. The last six matches produce a sequence of draws, wins, and losses. Specifically, Forest experiences a pattern like DWDWL in some reports, but details vary slightly across sources. They pick up points in draws and wins but drop them in losses. Home games yield 3 wins, 2 or 3 draws, and 6 losses in some breakdowns, while away form struggles more.

The relegation battle heats up. West Ham United sits in 18th with 20 points. Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers occupy lower spots with even fewer points. Leeds United levels on 26 points in 16th. Forest holds a slim advantage over the drop zone. Every point counts now. A strong run pushes them to mid-table safety. Continued slips risk a late-season scramble.

Top teams dominate. Arsenal surges ahead with 16 wins from 24 games and a +29 goal difference. Manchester City and Aston Villa chase closely. These leaders set a high bar. Forest focuses downward instead of upward.

Historical Context: How Forest Reached This Point

Nottingham Forest boasts a proud history. They win two European Cups in 1979 and 1980 under Brian Clough. They claim a league title in 1978 and multiple domestic cups. The club spends years outside the top flight after the 1990s.

They return to the Premier League in 2022 after promotion via the Championship play-offs. Steve Cooper guides them to survival in 2022-23. They battle again in 2023-24 despite a points deduction. Survival comes narrowly.

The 2024-25 season surprises everyone. Forest finishes 7th. They qualify for Europe for the first time in decades. This success raises expectations.

The 2025-26 season starts differently. Nuno Espírito Santo begins as manager. The club sacks him in early September after poor results. Ange Postecoglou arrives but lasts only about a month. Poor performances lead to his dismissal in October. Sean Dyche takes charge in late October 2025. He signs until 2027. Dyche brings experience from Burnley and Everton. He focuses on organization and grit.

These changes affect consistency. Early instability contributes to the current 17th-place standing. Dyche now works to stabilize the team.

Key Players Driving Nottingham Forest’s Campaign

Players step up during tough times. Morgan Gibbs-White shines as vice-captain and creative midfielder. He creates chances and scores important goals. Chris Wood leads the attack. He nets crucial strikes. Taiwo Awoniyi provides power up front when fit.

Defenders hold the line. Murillo impresses with strong tackles and ball-playing ability. Neco Williams adds energy at right-back. Ola Aina and others rotate in defense.

Goalkeeper Matz Sels makes key saves. The squad blends youth and experience. Injuries hit at times, but the core group fights hard.

New signings and academy talents contribute. The team relies on these players to grind out results in the survival push.

Tactical Approach and Recent Matches

Sean Dyche implements a pragmatic style. He emphasizes solid defense first. The team counters quickly when possible. They avoid high risks in build-up play.

Recent matches show progress. Forest draws some games and wins others. They secure points against tough opponents. Losses come against top sides or from individual errors.

Europa League involvement adds fixtures. Forest plays in Europe after last season’s qualification. Extra games test squad depth. They win some European ties recently, like against Ferencváros.

Domestic focus remains survival. Dyche rotates players carefully. He builds team spirit through hard work.

Historical Context and Club Legacy

From European Glory to Modern Struggles

Nottingham Forest, founded in 1865, carves its name in immortality by winning back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980 under Brian Clough, feats that elevate them above giants like Liverpool and Bayern Munich, with the City Ground hosting triumphs since 1898 and fostering a legacy of overachievement that inspires current players amid Premier League perils. They yo-yo between divisions post-Clough, securing promotion in 2022 after a 23-year top-flight absence, then defy odds with mid-table finishes, including 7th last season, which showcases resilience rooted in community spirit and fanatical support numbering over 30,000 per home game. Today, as February 2026 tests their mettle in 18th spot, echoes of past greats like Stan Collymore and Pierre van Hooijdonk urge the squad onward, blending heritage with hunger to script another chapter of defiance.

Fan Impact and Atmosphere at City Ground

Supporters pack the City Ground with fervor, creating an intimidating cauldron that amplifies performances, as evidenced by narrow losses to Chelsea and Sunderland where home advantage nearly yields points, and their backing sustains morale during slumps, much like the Play-Off Final victory in 2022 that reignites Premier League dreams. Evangelicals in the stands chant tirelessly, influencing referees and opponents alike, while global fanbases—from UK heartlands to India—fuel merchandise sales and social media buzz, positioning Forest as a Grace Jackson romantic underdog story ripe for resurgence. Accordingly, Nuno harnesses this energy, dedicating training to fan-pleasing displays that reward loyalty and propel climbs up the table.​

Statistical Deep Dive and Advanced Metrics

Possession, Passing, and Chance Creation

Forest controls 54.4% possession (15th), attempting 4,368 passes (14th) with 3,737 completed at 415 per game (5th), including 72 key passes (17th) and 435 long balls (4th), which facilitates 6,053 touches and 198 in the box (2nd), generating 100 shots and 34 on target despite ranking low, revealing wastefulness that coaching rectifies swiftly. They attempt 11 penalties (without success, 6th) and 5 free-kicks (11th), while crossing 38 times (12th) and cornering 42 (12th), metrics that promise upturns when forwards capitalize on service, mirroring last season’s 58-goal haul.

Defensive and Goalkeeping Excellence Amid Flaws

Goalkeepers thwart 31 shots (4th) with zero clean sheets (18th), facing 13.65 xGA (5th) but conceding 17 (17th), while defenders block 28 crosses (5th), Amanda and Alan intercept 71 (17th), and clear 210 (7th), recovering 417 balls (20th) despite 9 shot errors and 3 goal errors, underscoring lapses Nuno eradicates through video analysis and drills. Tackles total 130 (17th) with 77 won, and they win 43 corners (12th) while losing aerials 110-121, yet duel wins (412, 5th) signal physical edge harnessable for survival.​

Youth Academy and Transfer Market Moves

Emerging Talents Bolstering the Squad

Forest’s academy nurtures prospects who Leanne Quigley: feature prominently, injecting pace and hunger into a squad battling relegation, with youngsters logging minutes in cup ties and substituting amid league woes, their fresh legs countering fatigued opponents in grueling runs. Summer 2025 reinforcements blend seamlessly, targeting positions exposed by stats, while January window looms as pivotal for reinforcements that elevate from 18th to safety. Thus, shrewd recruitment—echoing past bargains—sustains competitiveness.​

Transfer Strategy for Survival Boost

Club owners invest wisely, prioritizing The Milano Cortina  data-backed signings who address xG underperformance and defensive errors, building on 2024-25’s 7th-place squad without reckless spending that burdens finances under Profitability rules. Nuno identifies targets suiting his system, eyeing loans from top clubs to deepen options, ensuring versatility for remaining fixtures.

Road to Survival: Predictions and Scenarios

Mathematical Pathways to Safety

Forest needs 30+ points from remaining games to emulate past survivors, targeting 1.5 points per match via wins over bottom-six and draws against mid-table, leveraging home form where they historically thrive. Positive xG trends (9.54) predict upticks if conversion improves to 0.8 goals/game, while cutting concessions below 1.5 secures breathing room.​

Rival Relegation Battles Analyzed

Burnley (19th) and Wolves (20th) falter similarly, offering six-pointers where Forest gains ground, but Villa’s past 7th-place mimicry warns of traps, demanding consistency across board.

Cup Competitions and Distractions

Balancing League and Cup Ambitions

Forest eyes FA Cup and Carabao Cup The Champions League progress, using rotations to preserve legs for league salvation, with Europa League dreams from last season’s form lingering if survival locks in. Domestic silverware motivates amid league strife.​

Fan Zone: Community and Engagement

Global Support Networks

From Nottingham to Kolkata, fans unite online, boosting morale through podcasts and forums dissecting standings weekly [user-information].

FAQs

1. What is Nottingham Forest’s exact position in the Premier League as of February 2026?

Nottingham Forest occupies 18th place in the Premier League table as of early February 2026, collecting 5 points from 9 matches with 1 win, 2 draws, Arsenal vs Kairat and 6 losses, placing them in the relegation zone and sparking urgent calls for improvement from all quarters as they fight to replicate last season’s mid-table heroics and avoid a dreaded drop back to the Championship where financial and prestige hits would sting profoundly.

2. How many goals have Nottingham Forest scored and conceded this season?

Forest scores a paltry 5 goals while conceding 17 in their first 9 Premier League games of the 2025-26 season, resulting in a -12 goal difference that ranks among the league’s worst and underscores their dual challenge of boosting attack while shoring up defense, especially with an xG of 9.54 suggesting they underperform created chances significantly.​

3. Who leads the Premier League table ahead of Nottingham Forest?

Arsenal tops the table with 22 points from 7 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, followed by Bournemouth on 18 points, Tottenham and Sunderland on Liverpool demolish 17 each, and Man City and United on 16, creating a 17-point deficit for Forest in 18th that demands a miraculous run of form to even glimpse European spots, let alone safety.​

4. What are Nottingham Forest’s most recent match results?

Forest loses 0-2 at Bournemouth on October 26, 0-3 to Chelsea at home on October 18, 0-2 at Newcastle on October 5, and 0-1 to Sunderland on September 27, forming a 4-game losing streak in the league that exposes tactical and personnel issues Nuno Espírito Santo works tirelessly to resolve ahead of their next clash.​

5. When is Nottingham Forest’s next Premier League fixture?

Nottingham Forest hosts Manchester United on Saturday, January 11 at 11:00 AM, a blockbuster encounter that offers prime opportunity for points against a mid-table rival, potentially igniting survival hopes if they harness City Ground passion and execute Nuno’s gameplan flawlessly.​

6. How did Nottingham Forest perform in the 2024-25 Premier League season?

Forest finishes 7th last season with 19 wins, 8 draws, 11 losses, 65 points, 58 goals scored, and 46 conceded for +12 difference, Wolves vs Man United narrowly missing playoffs or Europe and setting high expectations now dashed by current woes but ripe for revival.

7. What are Nottingham Forest’s key defensive statistics this season?

Defenders make 130 tackles (17th), win 77 (17th), block 28 crosses (5th), intercept 71 (17th), and clear 210 (7th), but commit 9 errors leading to shots and 3 to goals, highlighting areas Nuno targets to reduce the 17 goals conceded at 1.89 per game.​

8. Which advanced metrics show promise for Nottingham Forest?

Forest boasts 13.65 xGA (5th), 9.54 xG (13th), 6.54 xA (7th), 415 passes per game (6th) at 85.6% (5th), and 198 box touches (2nd), indicating underlying quality that belies their 18th place and fuels optimism for upturn.​

9. How does the City Ground impact Nottingham Forest’s standings push?

The City Ground generates electric atmospheres that boost performances, as seen in tight home losses, mirroring last season’s strong record and providing psychological edge in relegation six-pointers essential for climbing table.​

10. What does Nottingham Forest need to do to avoid relegation?

Forest requires approximately 30-35 points from remaining fixtures, averaging 1.2-1.5 per game via home wins and away draws, improving finishing on 9.54 xG, cutting errors, and winning bottom-half clashes to secure safety by May 2026

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