Nottingham Forest win sixth Premier League game in a row – are they on course for the Champions League and title race? | Football news
These are busy days for Nottingham Forest. The last time they won this many consecutive games in the first league, they were European champions.
There is a growing belief that this current run of results will get them back there, boosted further by a 3-0 win against Wolves on Monday Night Football – their sixth consecutive Premier League victory.
They do it their way, averaging two points a game despite having less possession than any other team in the Premier League. Or should it be because they have less possession than any other team in the Premier League? Masters of the counterattack.
Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood scored their first two goals at Molineux after the break. They also had only 39.5 percent of possession, and fewer shots.
Adding to all of the above, can Nottingham Forest do what few predicted at the start of the season and bring the Champions League and European football back to the City Ground? Here’s what some of the key voices have to say…
Gibbs-White: We’re going game by game – but CL would be amazing
Nottingham Forest goal scorer Morgan Gibbs-White to Sky Sports:
“It would be absolutely amazing. First of all, just for the fans. There would be a few who could experience it twice, so we can give them that opportunity which is what we really want to do as a club.
“We believe in it, but we can’t get ahead of ourselves.
“We accept every training session, every opponent as it comes. There is a lot of faith in the group and the fans.
“There are high expectations from the fans as well and that’s what drives us forward. We’ll go game by game and see where it will take us.
“Tonight [against Wolves] it was difficult. When we had opportunities, we took them and that was the difference with us this season – we were clinical when we needed to be. Now we are good at managing games, so kudos to the boys. We deserve to be in the position we are in.”
Nuno will not check the table until the end of the season
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo remained focused on their upcoming game against Luton in the FA Cup when asked about the potential title race.
“We’re playing Luton in the FA Cup at the City Ground, which is massive for us. It’s a good opportunity for us. I’m sorry not to answer your direct question, but this is the reality.
“We have to prepare well. The FA Cup is important, it’s a good opportunity for us. As I said, as far as the team is concerned, to give minutes to everyone, because it’s going to be a very, very long season.”
When asked when he could take a look at the league table, Nuno replied: “I don’t know, maybe at the end of the season. I’ll probably take a look.”
Carragher: Forest have a great chance for the Champions League
Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football:
“If they beat Liverpool [in their next Premier League game]then they are in the title race and are the only team to beat Liverpool.
“And if the Champions League goes to the top five positions, they have a hell of a chance.
“As a Premier League side, we need Nottingham Forest to get into the top five if it’s going to be Champions League football.
“It’s the same for Aston Villa, who only returned to the Premier League for a few seasons a few years ago. Forest are the same. It gives hope to a lot of struggling clubs.
“If they can do that, it sends a message to the whole Premier League and to the fans that there is hope when sometimes that’s all you’ve got.”
What do the statistics say?
Nottingham Forest continue to run and break records in their current winning streak:
- Nottingham Forest have won six consecutive Premier League games, the longest winning streak (across all teams) in the competition this season.
- It is the first time since then that Forest have won six consecutive matches in the top flight May-September 1979 (seven in a row), doing so within one season for the first time since 1966-67. (two streaks of six wins)
- Nottingham Forest ranks third in the Premier League, behind Arsenal only on goal difference (level with 40 points each). Of the 70 teams that have won 40+ points in their first 20 Premier League games (before 2024-25), only four failed to finish in the top four at the end of the season.
- They kept Nottingham Forest nine clean leaves in the Premier League this season, more than any other party. They have kept four consecutive shutouts in the top flight for the first time since March 1992 (a run of five).
- From the first game, Nun Espirito Santa was in charge Nottingham Forest (23 December 2023) only Erling Haaland (24) and Alexander Isak (23) have scored more goals without penalties in the Premier League since Chris Wood (21).
- Nottingham Forest have scored first in 16 out of 20 games in the Premier League this seasonmore than any other side (Arsenal and Fulham in 13 games each).
