6 days Ago By [email protected] (Sarah Clapson)
Nottingham Forest still have a very good chance of securing Champions League qualification, according to expert analysis. The Reds are nervously looking over their shoulder after losing to Aston Villa and Everton back-to-back. They remain third in the Premier League table but their rivals have closed the gap.
Victory for Newcastle United on Sunday moved them up to fourth; they are now just one point behind Forest and have a game in hand. Manchester City are a point further back while Chelsea and Aston Villa are three points below Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. The Reds are still in control of their own destiny and have it in their own hands to secure the top-five finish required for passage into Europe’s elite club competition.
And stats experts Opta are backing them to do just that. As it stands, Opta predict Forest will finish in fifth spot. It was confirmed last week that such a finish will be enough to secure Champions League football, thanks to the Premier League being rewarded with an extra place courtesy of English clubs’ performances in UEFA competitions in 2024/25.
Opta put the Reds’ chances of clinching Champions League qualification at 73.51 percent, despite their last two results. Their expected points total is put at 66.
26 - suggesting they require nine points from their remaining six games to secure fifth. The predicted table has Newcastle coming third, behind champions-elect Liverpool and Arsenal, with 67.47 points.
The Magpies ’ chances of making the Champions League are put at 83.67 percent. Manchester City are tipped to finish just above Forest, with 66.
88 points. The reigning champions have an 84.1 percent chance of qualifying for the Champions League.
Villa and Chelsea are predicted to just miss out, finishing in sixth and seventh respectively. The former are given just a 27.28 percent chance of making the Champions League spots, while the Blues have a 28.
14 percent chance of a top-five finish. We have produced a special 48-page edition of the Nottingham Post celebrating the club’s two European Cup wins. Nottingham Forest are flying high in the Premier League and Reds fans are dreaming of a return to European competition.
It has been an outstanding campaign for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men, who are on course for a place in the Champions League next season. And Forest supporters can whet their appetite for a possible return to football’s top tier on the continent with our 48-page special edition celebrating the club’s two European Cup wins. Buy now and have it delivered directly to your door.
Alternatively you can purchase in most supermarkets, high street retailers and independent newsagents in Nottinghamshire from April, 2 2025. For online order postage and packaging applies, orders will be posted from April 2, 2025. Forest’s Champions League chances have actually increased, despite losing 1-0 to Everton on Saturday.
Prior to the weekend, Opta had given the Reds a 69.22 percent chance of qualifying. The Reds have a bit of time to prepare for their next fixture, away to Tottenham Hotspur next Monday (8pm kick-off).
But they could have dropped down the table by then as their nearest challengers play before them. After defeat to the Toffees, head coach Nuno said: “It is in our hands but nobody is going to give us anything, we have to do it by ourselves. It is up to us to improve and compete much better - like we did before.
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