Nottingham Forest are back in the big time with optimism surging around the City Ground thanks to their promotion under manager Steve Cooper. They needed a victorious play-off campaign to do it, but will be relishing the prospect of being back in the Premier League for the first time in 23 years.
Promoted clubs often find life hard when stepping up to the Premier League, but in recent years clubs like Sheffield United, Leeds and now Brentford have adapted swiftly to their new division. Forest also dealt with Arsenal and Leicester in the FA Cup last season, so will certainly fancy their chances of prolonging their stay in the top flight.
We’ve taken a look at all you need to know about Nottingham Forest – from their next league game, to the latest football betting odds.
When is the next Nottingham Forest Premier League fixture?
Nottingham Forest start their season with an away game, visiting Newcastle at St. James’ Park on Saturday at 15:00. Although this will be Forest’s first Premier League game in 23 years and 82 days, they actually won their last three games in the top-flight. No other Premier League club is on a longer current win streak in the division.
Forest won on their last visit to St. James’ Park: a 3-2 extra-time victory in the League Cup in 2017. Their last league visit here, in the Championship in 2016, ended in defeat.
What are the odds that Nottingham Forest win their next game?
Forest start the season as underdogs, and Steve Cooper’s team are 9/2 to win at Newcastle on Saturday afternoon. A draw would be a fine result against the resurgent Magpies – that outcome is 27/10.
Forest have been outstanding defensively so far this year, conceding just 12 goals in their 21 league games in 2022. Only Liverpool (10) have conceded fewer goals in the top four tiers of English football so far this calendar year. If you think Forest can keep this one tight, a 1-0 away win is 12/1 and a Forest clean sheet is 4/1.
Steve Cooper has been busy strengthening his side over the summer, and Taiwo Awoniyi is one of the more exciting names to arrive. Awoniyi scored 15 times in the German Bundesliga last season – he is 7/1 to mark his debut by getting the first goal against Newcastle.
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What is the latest Nottingham Forest injury and transfer news?
Forest have almost a perfectly clean bill of health heading into the new season, with only Omar Richards absent with a leg injury that’s expected to keep him out until October. Other than Richards, Steve Cooper has a full squad to choose from.
Who are Nottingham Forest’s key players?
Key to Forest’s fortunes this season will be their young star, Brennan Johnson. The son of former Forest favourite David Johnson, Brennan bagged 18 goals in the Championship last season and also scored his first international goal with Wales. New signing Taiwo Awoniyi is an exciting goalscoring import from the Bundesliga, while Joe Worrall and Steve Cook form a dependable defensive partnership.
What are the Nottingham Forest odds to be relegated from the Premier League?
Nottingham Forest are 11/10 to be relegated from the Premier League this season, although the last side promoted via the Championship play-offs – Brentford – enjoyed a fine top flight campaign. Forest have one of the best English managers in the game and have been busy in the transfer market, so there’s understandably plenty of optimism from fans ahead of the new season.
Nottingham Forest Premier League fixtures
Nottingham Forest’s Premier League fixtures for the 2022/23 season in full are below:
Who is the manager of Nottingham Forest?
Welshman Steve Cooper made his name while coaching England at youth level, during which he guided the Under-17 team to win the U-17 World Cup. He surprisingly left Swansea on the eve of last season, and Forest were quick to act and get their man. From there, the rest is history: Cooper oversaw an unstoppable charge up the league, culminating in play-off victory.
Where is Nottingham Forest’s stadium?
Situated on the banks of the River Trent in Nottingham, the City Ground was built in 1898 with Forest moving in later that year. One of the stands is named after the legendary manager Brian Clough, who won the European Cup and First Division while in charge of Forest.
