NafisaNottingham Forest are currently clinging to a Champions League spot, prompting OPTA to bring out the supercomputer once again.
The Reds are chasing European football for the first time since 1996 when they reached the UEFA Cup quarter-finals. Now, fans are beginning to dream of another historic run.
Securing a Champions League place won’t be straightforward. Forest are battling with several clubs for a top-five finish, which should be enough to qualify this season.
In their last match, Forest held Arsenal to a goalless draw, putting an end to a two-game losing streak. Nuno Espirito Santo will now turn his attention to the FA Cup before hosting Manchester City next weekend.
With the season nearing its climax, pundits are being asked to predict the final standings. Yesterday, a former Forest player shared his thoughts on the club’s Champions League hopes.
Michael Dawson weighs in on Forest’s Champions League chase
If Forest were to secure a top-five finish and qualify for the Champions League just a year after narrowly avoiding relegation, it would be one of the Premier League’s great stories.
Speaking on Soccer Saturday, Dawson was asked for his opinion after the supercomputer’s predictions were discussed. While he’d love to see Forest maintain their position, he expressed some concerns about their chances.
He told Sky Sports News: “I’d love to say yes but I’m looking and I’m thinking they’ve got Manchester City next. I’m worried, I knew this was a big week with the games against Newcastle, Arsenal and City next, it’s three teams that have already beaten them this season.
“It was a good point against Arsenal, it was good to stop the losing run but I just think it’s hard to keep it up, the way they play, it’s hard to keep playing to that level and to consider where they were in the previous two seasons, to even be talked about in the equation for Champions League football is remarkable.
“But when your players are playing to the maximum of their level for this long and the amount of teams coming with a late run, it’s going to be a real challenge.”
Champions League or not, Forest’s season is already a success
The supercomputer’s projections add an interesting element to the conversation, suggesting Forest have a 40% chance of finishing in the Champions League places based on their remaining fixtures.
However, nothing in the Premier League comes easily. Forest will need to maintain their intensity over the next 11 games to accumulate enough points for a top-five finish.
Dawson’s concerns are understandable. While he clearly hopes the club can pull it off, he also acknowledges that securing any form of European football would be a huge achievement.
Espirito Santo is focused on weekly improvements, and with the final stretch of the season approaching, plenty of twists and turns are still ahead.
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