Nottingham Forest odds to finish top four in the Premier League: Prediction, best players & stats
Nottingham Forest were fighting relegation last season but in 2024-25 they’ve got their sights set on something greater.
The Tricky Trees look a completely different side under Nuno Espirito Santo, with their Premier League status in doubt when it took over pre-Christmas 2023.
But he led Forest to safety, even with a points deduction, and they haven’t looked back since. As we move into April, Forest are holding tightly onto a spot in the top four — sitting third at the time of writing — and have a 71.43% implied probability of doing so per Sky Bet’s odds.
Latest Nottingham Forest odds to finish in 2024-25 Premier League
| Betting Market | Odds | Implied Probability | Opta Probability |
| Nottingham Forest to win the 2024-25 Premier League | 250/1 with Sky Bet | 0.40% | 0% |
| Nottingham Forest to finish in 2024-25 Premier League top four | 2/5 with Sky Bet | 71.43% | 81.60% |
| Nottingham Forest to finish in 2024-25 Premier League top six | 1/25 with Sky Bet | 96.5% | – |
Nottingham Forest’s transfer window business
Nottingham Forest were once again busy in the summer transfer window, with 12 players joining the club either permanently or on loan. Nikola Milenkovic and Elliot Anderson have been the standout performers of those arrivals, with the former one of the best centre-backs in the league on form.
Going the other way were the likes of Moussa Niakhate and Orel Mangala, both of whom moved to Lyon — though the latter is back in the Premier League on loan at Everton.
In January, Forest signed young New Zealand defender Tyler Bindon from Reading — immediately returning to the Royals on loan — while experienced goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey signed a contract until the end of the season. A host of players also left the club on loan, including Andrew Omobamidele (Strasbourg), Lewis O’Brien (Swansea City) and Emmanuel Dennis (Blackburn Rovers).
Who are Nottingham Forest’s most important players?
Nottingham Forest’s top Premier League Golden Boot contender: Chris Wood
What a season Chris Wood is having. The New Zealand striker has scored 18 goals in 29 Premier League games so far this season, already four beyond his total tally from 2023-24. Then, Wood needed 31 games to score his 14 goals. That was his personal best return in the Premier League, having also scored 14 in 32 games for Burnley in 2019-20.
He’s on a bit of a drought at the moment, failing to score in his past four appearances, but that came at the end of a good streak. The New Zealand striker netted eight goals in seven games, only failing to score in one of those matches.
Wood has averaged 0.69 goals per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, from 2.02 shots and 1.22 efforts on target. He’s also got an Expected Goals total of 0.42 per 90, while his xG on Target per 90 jumps up to 0.57. That’s an impressive shot placement ratio of 1.37.
Nottingham Forest’s primary playmaker: Morgan Gibbs-White
Morgan Gibbs-White enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2023-24, providing 10 assists in the Premier League with only Ollie Watkins (13) and Cole Palmer (11) registering more. He was also just the third Nottingham Forest player to hit double figures for assists in a single Premier League season, joining Bryan Roy in 1994/95 (11) and Ian Woan in 1995/96 (10).
This season, Gibbs-White has provided seven assists in the Premier League so far. But he has been creating a lot of chances. The Englishman has 42 chances created in the Premier League this season, more than any other Forest player. Those chances created have also come at an average of 1.78 per 90. He’s also created eight big chances, at 0.34 per 90.
Nottingham Forest’s card magnets & top tacklers: Nicolas Dominguez
Nicolas Dominguez has been in and out of Nottingham Forest’s starting XI, with only 16 of his 26 appearances in the Premier League coming from the off. He’s also amassed just over 1,400 minutes in the league this season — a little over the 50% mark for available minutes. But when he is on the pitch, you can guarantee Dominguez will get involved.
Dominguez has been booked eight times in the Premier League so far, with no Forest player receiving more yellow cards — Ryan Yates is also on eight. The Argentine ranks second overall among Forest players for tackles on 64, but he leads by some distance looking at his 4.05 tackles per 90. He’s also averaged 1.58 fouls per 90.
Nottingham Forest’s rising star: Elliot Anderson
It was hoped that Elliot Anderson would be the next big thing for boyhood club Newcastle United, but their loss has been Nottingham Forest’s gain. The England U21 international — who switched allegiance from Scotland in 2024 — has been good in defence and attack for Forest.
Anderson has provided six assists so far this season from 32 chances created, six of which were big chances. In recent months, he has been moved slightly back, and he’s done his bit with a team-high 70 tackles. Anderson has also won possession 77 times in the defensive third, inside the top 10 in the Premier League.
Nottingham Forest’s set-piece specialists:
- Penalties: Chris Wood
- Free kicks: Anthony Elanga
- Corners: Anthony Elanga/Elliot Anderson
Nottingham Forest’s tactical analysis, formation & player ratings
Nottingham Forest team stats from the 2023-24 Premier League season (avg per game):
- Corners: 3.89
- Shots on target: 3.89
- Shots on target conceded: 13.39
- Offsides: 2.03
Nottingham Forest 2024-25 player ratings*
- GK: Matz Sels – 68% – Sels has been great for Nottingham Forest this season, keeping a league-high 13 clean sheets so far, with 1.17 goals conceded per 90.
- RB: Ola Aina – 65% – Aina has performed excellently as a full-back on either flank, winning 56.16% of his ground duels so far this season.
- CB: Nikola Milenkovic – 73% – The Serbian giant is the third-best-ranked centre-back in the Premier League this season behind only Virgil van Dijk and Gabriel, having been an absolute rock at the back for Nottingham Forest.
- CB: Murillo – 61% – Murillo has formed an excellent partnership with Milenkovic, providing the foundation for what looks set to be Forest’s highest Premier League finish.
- LB: Neco Williams – 72% – Williams has won 1.73 tackles per 90 this season, alongside making 3.95 clearances. And while he only has one goal and one assist so far, he gets forward well to support the attack.
- CM: Ryan Yates – 48% – Captain Yates brings a semblance of calm to Forest’s midfield including a retention rate of 83.33%, though his tackle and interception numbers aren’t as high as other defensive midfielders.
- CM: Elliot Anderson – 60% – Forest’s marquee summer signing, Anderson has quickly made an impact at both ends of the pitch, with 2.05 tackles won per 90 and 0.22 intentional assists.
- AM: Morgan Gibbs-White – 58% – Gibbs-White has 0.21 goals and 0.21 intentional assists per 90 in the Premier League this season, proving important to Forest’s attack.
- RW: Anthony Elanga – 68% – Last season felt like a breakthrough campaign for the former Manchester United forward, who has 0.28 goals and 0.33 intentional assists per 90 this time around.
- LW: Callum Hudson-Odoi – 54%– Hudson-Odoi has been incredibly creative for Forest this season, but it hasn’t translated to end-product metrics, which is why his Score is so low.
- CF: Chris Wood – 68% – To say Wood is Forest’s most crucial attacking player would be an understatement. He has averaged 0.69 goals per 90 minutes from 0.33 non-penalty xG.
Espirito Santo has been pretty rigid with his formation since taking charge of Forest, mostly running a 4-2-3-1, although there have been a few switches to a 3-4-1-2. The personnel has changed at times, but whatever the combination, it works for Forest. In his system, the striker drops slightly deeper to play alongside the No.10, with the two wingers often the most-advanced members on the pitch.
There is also a set shape defensively, with the back four very much staying in their places. You won’t see the full-backs bombing down the pitch too often. The width comes from the wingers.
Nottingham Forest’s full Premier League 2024-25 squad
| PLAYER NAME | POSITION | AGE |
| Matz Sels | Goalkeeper | 32 |
| Carlos Miguel | Goalkeeper | 26 |
| Murillo | Defender | 22 |
| Nikola Milenkovic | Defender | 27 |
| Morato | Defender | 23 |
| Andrew Omobamidele | Defender | 22 |
| Willy Boly | Defender | 33 |
| Zach Abbott | Defender | 18 |
| Alex Moreno | Defender | 31 |
| Harry Toffolo | Defender | 29 |
| Neco Williams | Defender | 23 |
| Ola Aina | Defender | 28 |
| Ibrahim Sangare | Midfielder | 26 |
| Danilo | Midfielder | 23 |
| Elliot Anderson | Midfielder | 21 |
| James Ward-Prowse | Midfielder | 29 |
| Nicolas Dominguez | Midfielder | 26 |
| Ryan Yates | Midfielder | 26 |
| Morgan Gibbs-White | Midfielder | 24 |
| Callum Hudson-Odoi | Forward | 23 |
| Ramon Sosa | Forward | 25 |
| Jota Silva | Forward | 25 |
| Anthony Elanga | Forward | 22 |
| Eric da Silva Moreira | Forward | 18 |
| Taiwo Awoniyi | Forward | 27 |
| Chris Wood | Forward | 32 |
| Emmanuel Dennis | Forward | 26 |
Nottingham Forest FAQs
Where did Nottingham Forest finish in the 2023-24 Premier League season?
Nottingham Forest staved off Premier League relegation when they finished in 17th place.
Who is the Nottingham Forest manager?
Nuno Espirito Santo took over as Nottingham Forest manager in December 2023, replacing Steve Cooper. He secured 22 points out of a possible 63 to conclude the 2023-24 season.
Who is the current Nottingham Forest captain?
Ryan Yates, who came through Nottingham Forest’s academy, is their captain and was described by former boss Cooper as a “culture-setter” within the team.
What is Nottingham Forest’s best Premier League finish?
Nottingham Forest’s best Premier League finish is third place, which they achieved in the 1994-95 season under Frank Clark.
Nottingham Forest upcoming fixtures
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