Can Nottingham Forest secure a Champions League place this season?

Karan Ahgun

— 3 min read
Can Nottingham Forest secure a Champions League place this season?

Nottingham Forest have performed excellently so far this season and many are wondering what they can achieve if this form was to continue through to May. They are currently sitting in 3rd place after a run of 6 wins in 7 games and having just drawn at home to Liverpool. This could turn out to be a historic season for Nottingham Forest but just how far can they take it?

Throughout this period of winning form, there have been whispers amongst some fans of the possibility of a title challenge from Forest this season, especially when you look at the patchy form of Arsenal and the fact that Liverpool have started to concede more goals recently. The Forest team certainly has some attributes similar to the Leicester City side who won the league in 2016. For example, the central defensive partnership of Murillo and Milenkovic has been the foundation upon which Forest's success this season has been built upon. We saw glimpses of Murillo's potential last season, including that mazy run he went on against Crystal Palace and nearly scored one of the goals of the season. Milenkovic was signed for £12 million from Fiorentina after having been linked to many top teams around Europe in previous seasons, and has showcased why he was highly-rated this season in the Premier League. With this foundation, Forest have only conceded 20 goals so far which is the joint 2nd best defensive record, making the team hard to beat. On top of that, the team physical profile means that they are able to compete with almost every team in the league both in attack and defence.

The output of Nottingham Forest's attacking players has been impressive too. Chris Wood looks rejuvenated and is performing like one of the best strikers in the league at the moment. Wood has scored 13 goals this season, including goals against Manchester United and Liverpool but this output would not be as high without the support of Forest's flying wingers. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga have been electric this season. The transitional style of football compliments their attributes and their pace and ability to carry the ball forward has been essential for the team's success. Elanga's performances have been particularly eye-catching, scoring goals and picking the right time to pass to a teammate in a better position to score. Forest fans will be hoping that their attackers' form can continue through to the end of the season as they look to secure a place in Europe.

So what can Nottingham Forest achieve this season? They are in an excellent position to secure European football of some sort for next season but will be giving everything until the end of the season to secure a prosperous spot in next season's Champions League. Many will know of Forest's heritage in the European Cup, having won the competition twice, but if they are to succeed in getting a place in next season's Champions League, it will be the club's first time playing in the competition since the 1980/81 season. Forest will also be aiming to go on a good cup run in the FA Cup and could be dark horses to win the cup for the first time since 1959. There are still many things Forest can achieve in what could become a historic season for the club.

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