Nottingham Forest 2025/26 Season Preview: A Bright Start to the Premier League Campaign
As the Premier League fixtures for the 2025/26 season were released, the excitement around Nottingham Forest quickly reached a fever pitch. After finishing last season with a mixture of highs and lows, the Reds now have the perfect opportunity to begin the new season on the front foot. With several intriguing matches and a relatively manageable early schedule, Forest fans can approach the upcoming campaign with optimism and anticipation. The fixtures present a real chance for Steve Cooper’s side to hit the ground running, build early momentum, and set the tone for the rest of the season.
The first month of the new season is crucial, as it will lay the foundation for the months to come. Forest have two home games in the opening three, which will provide them with a familiar setting to pick up vital points. The Reds’ squad has been bolstered in the offseason, and their preparations are now focused on making a positive start. The upcoming fixtures, including Brentford (home), Crystal Palace (away), and West Ham United (home), all offer a mixture of challenges, but also an opportunity for Forest to get off to a strong start.
🏟️ Fixture 1: Nottingham Forest vs. Brentford (Home)
The curtain-raiser of the season sees Nottingham Forest take on Brentford at the City Ground. The Bees were able to secure a memorable 1-0 victory at Forest last season, and although the match was tight, the Brentford gameplan proved to be effective, utilizing their famous counter-attacking style and solid defense. This year, however, there’s a lot more uncertainty surrounding the Bees. The departure of Thomas Frank, their longtime manager and tactical mastermind, to Tottenham has left a significant void in their structure and philosophy. The new manager, whoever they may be, will need time to settle into the role, and it’s unclear how Brentford’s playing style will evolve as a result.
For Forest, the opportunity to begin their season at home is significant. The City Ground is often a fortress for the Reds, and the fans will be fully behind them, eager for a positive start to the new campaign. The atmosphere will likely be electric, with supporters confident that Nuno Espirito Santo’s style of play, which emphasizes high pressing and aggressive transitions, will allow Forest to dominate possession and dictate the tempo.
With Igor Jesus now in the squad, the Reds have an added element of attacking firepower to complement their already potent attacking options. Taiwo Awoniyi and Morgan Gibbs-White form a dynamic front three, and the pace of their counters will be key to unlocking Brentford’s defense. Brentford’s defenders, including the experienced Pontus Jansson, may struggle to cope with the direct and physical threat posed by Forest’s attacking unit.
While Brentford are a tough opponent, the lack of continuity in their managerial setup could work in Forest’s favor. The Reds will be keen to avenge last season’s defeat, and given their home form, they should be confident of picking up three points in this fixture. A strong start against Brentford would be the perfect way to build momentum heading into the next set of matches.
🦅 Fixture 2: Crystal Palace (Away)
Following their opening home fixture, Forest will travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace. Palace, under manager Roy Hodgson or his successor, have always been a tough side to break down, particularly when playing at home. Their deep defensive setup and reliance on quick counters are designed to frustrate opponents, but this tactic has often left them vulnerable when they are unable to keep possession. Forest, however, will fancy their chances here.
The Reds are coming off a solid record against Palace in the 2024/25 season, where they took four points off the Eagles, including an important 1-1 draw away at Selhurst Park. This will give them confidence as they prepare to face the South London side in what will be a hard-fought match. Forest’s quick counter-attacking style, led by the pace of Awoniyi and Gibbs-White, will be a direct threat to Palace’s defense, particularly in wide areas. The Eagles’ full-backs often push forward in support of the attack, which leaves them exposed in behind — a weakness that Forest’s attackers will be keen to exploit.
In the midfield battle, Ibrahim Sangare will play a crucial role in ensuring that Forest’s defensive shape is solid. The Ivorian will be tasked with breaking up Palace’s counter-attacks, distributing the ball quickly, and providing defensive stability. His presence in the middle of the park should be vital in stifling Palace’s midfield creativity, especially with the likes of Eberechi Eze and Wilfried Zaha looking to orchestrate from deep.
A point away at Selhurst Park would be a positive result, especially if Forest can follow up their home win over Brentford with an away draw. However, with three points on the line, Forest will be eager to take the game to Palace and show that they can take the initiative away from home.
⚒️ Fixture 3: Nottingham Forest vs. West Ham United (Home)
The third fixture of the season sees Forest return home to face West Ham United, a team that has often proven to be a tricky opponent in recent years. However, the Reds have an excellent record against the Hammers, having defeated them twice in the 2024/25 campaign, including an incredible 4-1 victory at the City Ground. That performance was one of Forest’s most convincing of the season and will no doubt provide a significant confidence boost as they prepare to face David Moyes’ side once again.
West Ham will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing end to the previous season, but Forest will be keen to maintain their dominance over the Hammers. Forest’s pace and physicality up front will continue to be their key weapon, particularly against a West Ham defense that can be vulnerable to quick, direct counter-attacks. The likes of Gibbs-White, Awoniyi, and new signing Igor Jesus will look to capitalize on any defensive mistakes, with Jesus likely eager to get his first Premier League goal after his move from Club Brugge.
In midfield, Forest’s Sangare will again be central to everything, providing the link between defense and attack. West Ham’s midfield, led by Declan Rice’s replacement, could struggle to cope with the intensity and pressing power of Forest’s midfield. With Sangare and Danilo in midfield, Forest will have the necessary balance to control the game and dominate possession.
A win against West Ham would be another huge step in establishing Forest’s credentials as a team capable of competing at the top half of the table. It would also set a fantastic tone for the rest of the season, sending a clear message that Forest are not to be underestimated.
🌟 Key Players to Watch: Igor Jesus and Ibrahim Sangare
As the season kicks off, the integration of new signing Igor Jesus will be a major talking point. The 24-year-old striker arrives with big expectations, and the early fixtures offer him the ideal platform to make an instant impact. Forest fans will be eager to see how quickly he settles into the Premier League, and with two home games early on, he’ll have every opportunity to build chemistry with his new teammates and stake his claim for a regular starting spot.
The key to Forest’s success, however, could lie in the form of Ibrahim Sangare. The Ivorian midfielder has already shown his quality in glimpses and will be integral to Forest’s performances in the early fixtures. If he can stay fit and avoid the injury troubles that have plagued him in the past, he could establish himself as one of the Premier League’s most dominant midfielders this season.
🔴 Overall Outlook: A Bright Start for Forest
As the new season approaches, the first month of the campaign offers a real opportunity for Nottingham Forest to make a statement. With two of the first three fixtures at home, and a mix of winnable matches and challenges against teams outside the traditional top six, Forest should be aiming for a strong start. A positive result against Brentford would set the tone, while a point or three at Palace would show that Forest are capable of performing away from home. The West Ham fixture gives the team a chance to reaffirm their superiority over mid-table teams.
If Forest can pick up seven points from their opening three fixtures, it will provide a massive confidence boost and set the stage for an exciting season. A good start could see them challenging for a top-half finish, which is the ultimate goal for a team that has shown plenty of promise over the last couple of years.
Are you excited about the new signings and how they will fit into Forest’s system, or would you like to dive deeper into the tactical setup for these opening fixtures? Let me know!