Alious
Nottingham Forest’s meteoric rise this season has left many, including veteran pundit Gary Lineker, eating their words. Just a year ago, some Forest fans feared relegation back to the EFL, with Luton Town hot on their heels. Fast forward to the present, and Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are sitting comfortably in third place with just seven Premier League matches remaining—and Lineker now believes they’re all but guaranteed a spot in next season’s Champions League.
Since December 29th, Forest have held onto third place, thanks to a consistent run of form and the tactical brilliance of Nuno. Their 2-1 loss to Aston Villa last weekend was a setback, but it hasn’t derailed their campaign or their Champions League ambitions.
Gary Lineker, who previously admitted he felt foolish for predicting Forest would be relegated while backing Leicester to survive, has now changed his tune. Speaking on *The Rest is Football podcast, the *Match of the Day host offered Forest fans a fresh boost of confidence. “Liverpool are going to win the league. Arsenal’s almost certainly second, and Forest is most probably third unless they completely fall apart,” he said.
Lineker’s new outlook reflects just how impressive Forest’s season has been—a complete turnaround that few, if any, saw coming.
Forest’s remaining fixture list only strengthens their position. Of their final seven games, four will be played at the City Ground, and most of their opponents are sides with little left to fight for. That run begins with Everton this weekend, a crucial match that could all but secure their place in Europe’s elite competition next season.
It’s a stark contrast to their situation one year ago, when they faced a brutal end-of-season schedule in a bid to avoid relegation. Back then, Nuno’s men rallied to survive. Now, with the finish line in sight and Champions League qualification within grasp, they’ll be determined to see things through.
For Lineker, who has been both critic and now believer, the message is clear: unless Forest suffer an unthinkable collapse, they’re headed for European nights under the lights at the City Ground.
Alious
