Nottingham Forest’s rise this season has been nothing short of extraordinary, marking one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent memory. A mere 12 months ago, the club was engaged in a desperate battle to avoid relegation. Many Forest supporters were anxious that the team might even be overtaken by Luton Town, a club that had just gained promotion and appeared to be on a similar level of competitiveness. Survival seemed uncertain, and hopes of even mid-table comfort were far from guaranteed.

Fast forward a year, and the story is entirely different. Forest are now firmly in the race for Champions League football, sitting comfortably in third place with just a handful of games left to play. Their remarkable position is a testament to the incredible work done by Nuno Espirito Santo, the manager who took over a squad in transition and completely reshaped the way they play, instilling a sense of resilience and belief. The fact that they’ve occupied third place since December 29th speaks volumes about their consistency and the system they’ve developed under Nuno.

Forest’s transformation this season has been one of the most impressive in the Premier League, especially considering the expectations around the club at the start of the campaign. Many experts and fans, myself included, were uncertain about their prospects. It wasn’t just about maintaining Premier League status but also about how they would cope with the pressure of the league’s top teams. However, Nuno’s tactical acumen and the team’s collective effort have ensured that they’ve not just survived but thrived, staying within the Champions League places for months.

Gary Lineker, one of the most famous pundits in the game, famously predicted at the start of the season that Forest would get relegated, with Leicester, who were also in a relegation battle, surviving. Looking back now, it’s easy to see why he would have thought that; Forest was still in the midst of a major rebuild, with several new players settling into the squad and trying to adjust to the demands of the Premier League. Lineker, like many others, had doubts about whether Forest’s quality would be enough to avoid the drop.

But as the season progressed, it became clear that Lineker’s predictions couldn’t have been further from the mark. In fact, Forest’s rise up the table has been so stunning that even Lineker himself had to admit he was wrong. In an entertaining and humble moment, the Match of the Day presenter called himself an idiot for predicting Forest’s relegation. It’s one of those rare moments when a pundit openly acknowledges their mistake, but it’s a reflection of just how much credit Forest’s performance deserves this season.

In fact, Lineker recently made another prediction that was far more favorable for Forest. Speaking on The Rest is Football, he expressed confidence that Forest would finish in the top five, securing a place in the Champions League barring a collapse in the final stretch. He noted that, despite the loss to Aston Villa in their previous match, the overall picture for Forest remains incredibly bright. Lineker even went so far as to suggest that unless something “bizarre” happens, Forest is already essentially guaranteed a top-five finish. This kind of endorsement from a footballing figure of Lineker’s stature only underscores just how impressive Forest’s season has been.

While the Villa loss certainly put a small dent in Forest’s momentum, it is not enough to derail their overall campaign. In a season where every game counts, that 2-1 defeat is just a minor setback, and it hasn’t significantly altered the club’s trajectory. They have a solid cushion in third place, and with seven games left to play, Forest are firmly in control of their own destiny. What’s even more promising is that four of those final seven games are at home, where Forest have been especially strong this season. They have developed a real fortress at the City Ground, and that will be crucial in ensuring they don’t slip up in the final weeks.

The remaining fixtures are certainly favorable for Forest. Last year, when they were in the thick of the relegation battle, their run-in appeared daunting. Their survival bid depended on navigating tough matches, and they did so with grit and determination. Fast forward to this season, and Forest’s task is quite different. Instead of fighting for survival, they’re now battling for a top-four finish, and the teams they’ll face in the final stretch are ones with little left to play for. This gives Forest the advantage, as they can focus on finishing the job and securing the points they need to lock down a Champions League spot.

The upcoming game against Everton at the City Ground is especially critical. Everton, like many of the teams Forest will face in these final fixtures, are in a difficult position themselves. But with the City Ground behind them, Forest should have the confidence and momentum to take all three points. It’s a game they can’t afford to drop, and with Nuno’s leadership and the squad’s current form, they will be expected to perform. If Forest win this match, it will go a long way in securing their top-four position and will give them a huge boost heading into the final games.

Gary Lineker’s warning about a “capitulation” is something that shouldn’t be entirely dismissed, as we’ve seen in football how quickly fortunes can change. However, with the way Forest have handled pressure this season, it seems unlikely they’ll crumble at the final hurdle. Nuno has instilled a mindset of resilience and focus in his players, and the team’s performance so far suggests they have the maturity and determination to finish the job.

If Forest do qualify for the Champions League, it will be a monumental achievement for the club, both on and off the pitch. A return to Europe’s premier competition would not only provide a massive financial boost but would also raise the club’s profile internationally, attracting more top-tier players and elevating their status within the footballing world. For the fans, it would be the culmination of a remarkable journey that began with a difficult fight for survival and is now on the verge of securing a spot among the continent’s best.

There’s no denying that Forest’s achievement this season will go down as one of the most surprising and exciting stories in the Premier League, and if they can continue their form and secure that Champions League berth, it will serve as a testament to Nuno Espirito Santo’s outstanding management. With the final stretch of the season in sight, Forest must maintain their focus and composure. If they can do that, they’ll be celebrating a historic qualification for the Champions League, proving that football, as always, is full of surprises.