Premier League 2025/26: Nottingham Forest Season Preview & The Best Value Bet to Grab

This guide assesses Nottingham Forest’s prospects for the 2025/26 Premier League season. With bold transfer moves underway and renewed belief under Nuno Espirito Santo, Bet365 are offering a market that offers tremendous value.

We break down what makes Forest one of the most intriguing sides to watch this season, and why now is the time for punters to back them before prices shift.

Part of our team-by-team guide to the 2025/26 Premier League season.

🔁 Change of Pace at the City Ground

Nottingham Forest are no longer outsiders. After finishing seventh last season—securing European football and delivering their highest league position in 30 years—this is a club on the rise.

Nuno Espirito Santo has penned a new long-term deal, and with owner Evangelos Marinakis back at the helm, the club is pushing hard in the market. Brazilian talents Igor Jesus, Jair Cunha and Cuiabano are close to joining from Botafogo, giving Forest a serious injection of youth, depth, and hunger.

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📊 2024/25 Recap

🧤 League Finish: 7th
⚽ Top Scorer: Chris Wood (20)
🏆 Cup Runs: FA Cup Semi-Final, EFL Cup Second Round
📈 Flying Start: 2nd at New Year
📉 Flat Finish: 2 wins in last 8 league matches

Our Best Bet

🧠 Reasoning

Forest have already shown they can hang with the league’s best. They struck first in 25 of their 38 matches last term, winning 18 of those and rarely giving away leads. Their game model under Nuno is efficient and disciplined—traits that matter even more when managing European midweeks.

With fresh investment, a more balanced squad, and continuity at the helm, Forest’s ceiling remains high. Even at 1/1, this bet holds real merit, especially considering some of the instability among mid-table rivals.

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🔍 Nottingham Forest 2025/26 Preview & Betting Insight

Last season’s breakout came sooner than many expected. From relegation scrappers to European qualifiers, Forest rode a solid defensive setup, an effective attack led by Chris Wood, and outstanding organisation from Nuno.

But their Expected Goals data told a different story: they struggled to create consistent high-quality chances. That’s why summer recruitment is focusing heavily on bolstering the midfield and forward lines. Igor Jesus offers mobility and finishing ability, while the club continues to push for creative reinforcements like Palmeiras’ Richard Rios.

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💡 Where Forest Can Break Through

• European Pulling Power: The Europa Conference League spot is already helping attract higher-level targets.
• Tactical Cohesion: Nuno’s side plays with purpose—compact off the ball, vertical when breaking. They rarely lose control of matches.
• Transfer Vision: Signings like Jair Cunha and Cuiabano indicate a strategy geared towards building a sustainable, dynamic core.
• Squad Evolution: Chris Wood remains a reliable finisher, and if partnered correctly, could better last season’s tally of 20 goals.

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📈 Why This Market Screams Value

Even money for a side that just finished 7th and has strengthened early? It’s rare to see a market this grounded in logic. Here’s why 1/1 on Forest finishing top-half is worth your stake:

💷 Backed by Results: 7th-place last season was no fluke—it was backed by one of the league’s best defensive records.
⚽ Key Additions: Jesus, Cunha and possibly Rios are real upgrades in areas where Forest were stretched.
🧠 Managerial Stability: Nuno has the squad’s trust, a clear identity, and a full pre-season to embed new ideas.
📊 Mid-Table Turmoil Elsewhere: Palace, Wolves, Brentford and even Brighton all face major questions—Forest don’t.

💬⏰ Move Before the Odds Shift

Odds at even money reflect the market’s current uncertainty. But once Forest confirm their Brazilian trio and potentially land a big-money midfielder, this price will vanish.

👉 Click here to back Nottingham Forest for a Top Half Finish at 1/1 with Bet365 – while it’s still on offer! 👈

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📋 Transfer Activity – In Progress

Incoming (confirmed or close):
✅ Igor Jesus (Botafogo – striker)
✅ Jair Cunha (Botafogo – centre-back)
✅ Cuiabano (Botafogo – left-back)

In Talks:

• Richard Rios (Palmeiras – midfielder, £34m-rated)
• Yoane Wissa (Brentford – forward)

Linked with Moves Away:

• Anthony Elanga (Arsenal, Newcastle interest)
• Callum Hudson-Odoi (Napoli, Roma)
• Morgan Gibbs-White (Chelsea, Manchester City)

Core Squad Holding Firm:

• Chris Wood (20-goal striker)
• Murillo (key defensive figure)
• Willy Boly (signed new deal)

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⏳ Final Thoughts on the Market

This isn’t a shot in the dark. Nottingham Forest are not only positioned to repeat last year’s success—they may even improve on it.

At 1/1 with Bet365 for a top-half finish, the market is still catching up to Forest’s trajectory. Take advantage before it’s corrected.

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⚖️ Final Verdict from Tyler Morris

Nottingham Forest are no longer looking to simply survive—they’re building to compete. With a clear tactical identity under Nuno Espirito Santo, shrewd recruitment already in motion, and European football returning to the City Ground, this is a club on the cusp of something bigger.

Yes, challenges lie ahead—balancing Thursday-Sunday fixtures, retaining key players, and integrating new signings swiftly. But this version of Forest is built on more than momentum; it’s underpinned by structure, purpose, and growing ambition.

A top-half finish at 1/1 with Bet365 isn’t a speculative shout—it’s a calculated nod to a team rising with intent. Grab it now, before the market wakes up.

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