Nottingham Forest

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

"It feels unfair but I don't want to be complaining and feeling as victims."

Oliver Glasner's words offer a positive outlook as he believes Nottingham Forest deserve more following their disappointing start to the season.

There is belief that progress is being made, but it needs to translate on the pitch.

Forest are yet to score in the Premier League at the City Ground this season.

They have netted just eight times in the league at home in 2026 so their struggles in front of their own fans are not new.

They were masked by the Europa League victories over Ferencvaros, Porto and Aston Villa but, in the league, they have won just two of 17 home games since November.

Of those eight goals, four were scored against a weak Burnley side in April and they have now gone eight hours and 26 minutes without netting at home.

Overall this season, Forest have scored five times but have a -6.20 xG, which is the worst in the division.

They have had the third-highest number of shots in the Premier League with 120, only behind Manchester United (138) and free-scoring Brighton (125), but only 25 have been on target.

Against Arsenal, they had 14 shots but only two on target and Liam Delap's miss against Crystal Palace, Walter Benitez saving his close-range blast, summed up Forest's lack of cutting edge.

It meant Forest have a conversion rate of just 4.17% - the lowest in the division after Spurs' rose to 6.06% following Monday's win over Coventry.

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

Ipswich Town welcome Nottingham Forest to Portman Road on Friday looking to consolidate their place in the top half of the table after a topsy-turvy return to Premier League.

Last season's Championship runners-up have blown hot and cold in the opening seven games, winning three and losing four, with draws seemingly off the table for Gary O'Neil's side, who sit 10th.

Tractor Boys ploughing on

One thing Ipswich fans can be assured of is that their team will fight until the end of each game. All three of those wins – over Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Fulham, have come through late winners.

They also scored consolations at the death in defeats by the two Manchester clubs, meaning their total of five goals netted in the 90th minute or later is more than any other side have managed this term.

Two of those have come from Zian Flemming. The Dutchman, who was top scorer for relegated Burnley last season, has made an impact since joining from the Clarets for an initial fee of £17m on transfer deadline day, with two goals in five substitute appearances. The ex-Millwall striker's next top-flight goal will be his 50th in English league football.

Ipswich manager O'Neil is unlikely to repeat the 3-4-2-1 system deployed in last week's loss to Manchester City. With midfielder Sasa Lukic hoping to be available again after a groin issue, a return to the usual 4-2-3-1 system is expected against an opponent O'Neil has a decent record against.

The former Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers boss hasn't lost in his five previous Premier League matches against Forest, winning one and drawing four; - the most games he has managed against any club without suffering defeat in this competition.

Faltering Forest need a win

Nottingham Forest head coach Oliver Glasner is one of several Premier League bosses in dire need of a win to stave off the threat of losing his job.

The Austrian, who moved to the City Ground just 40 days after guiding Crystal Palace to Conference League glory, is already under intense scrutiny after only one win in seven league games.

Forest have scored just five league goals, fewer than any other team in the division, and sit second-bottom with a tricky run before the November international window. Their xG underperformance of -6.2 is the worst in the division, with marquee summer signing Liam Delap netting just once.

Delap was Ipswich's top scorer in their previous Premier League campaign in 2024-25. Having scored with his third shot for Forest this term, the £45m summer signing from Chelsea has had a further 15 attempts without success.

"I don't see it as a massive problem because we're creating enough situations," Glasner said this week in reference to the goalscoring issue, although Forest fans might not entirely agree. The Tricky Trees have failed to score in four different top-flight games this season, with no side drawing a blank more often.

Forest have lost their past three league games, more defeats than in their previous 14. With last season's top scorer Morgan Gibbs-White fit again for the trip to Suffolk, Glasner will be hoping his men can arrest this worrying decline in form.

This game is a tough one to call. It is going to be very tight.

Nottingham Forest can't score. That's their issue, and they have only managed five goals in their first seven league games.

It did make me laugh when I read that Forest boss Oliver Glasner had got Chris Wood to give advice to the other strikers about finishing - why not just play Wood then?

Ipswich are still bottom of the league table based on my predictions but they ran Manchester City close in the end last week and are doing better than everyone expected, myself included.

I like what Tractor Boys boss Gary O'Neil is doing there, and they already have three league wins from seven games - the last time they were in the Premier League, in 2024-25, they only managed four all season.

Forest are second bottom and could really do with getting something here, and Ipswich haven't drawn a game yet - so that's what I am going for.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner says "five points after seven games is not good enough", but is confident his team "will give everything" to get more on the board in the coming weeks.

"I never look at the table in October, but of course we want to get more points," Glasner told BBC Radio Nottingham. "I feel we are playing better than the teams I've previously managed in the early stages.

"The results are the same, but the spirit gives me confidence."

Listen to Glasner's full interview above or here on BBC Sounds

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel says Crystal Palace's second goal against Nottingham Forest should have been disallowed on the field for handball - but backed the video assistant referee's decision not to intervene.

The game was locked at 1-1 deep into first-half stoppage time when Jefferson Lerma appeared to nod the ball through the legs of Forest keeper Matz Sels.

However, it soon transpired that the ball had deflected off the elbow of team-mate Anan Khalail on its way into goal.

That meant the goal technically belonged to Khalail, who could not score a goal with his arm.

This was not picked up in the initial replays, only becoming clear during the half-time analysis on the television coverage.

Palace went on to win the game 3-1 at Selhurst Park.

The Premier League's KMI Panel voted 3:2 that it was an on-field mistake by referee Peter Bankes, but it was unanimous that the VAR, Darren England, was right not to rule out the goal.

"On the balance of probability the ball is likely to have come into contact with Khalaili's arm," the KMI Panel said.

"The panel all supported the VAR's decision to not intervene on the basis that the footage readily available to the VAR doesn't show conclusive evidence of a handball."

It will sting for Forest as they had a Neco Williams goal ruled out for handball in their 0-0 draw with Tottenham through a VAR intervention.

Williams insisted after the game the ball did not touch his arm, but replays which later emerged appeared to prove it did. The KMI Panel unanimously supported the decision.

Bankes was on VAR duty for the disallowed goal against Spurs.

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Friday's Premier League game against Ipswich at Portman Road (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Morgan Gibbs-White is able to return after training for the entire week. Nikola Milenkovic, who was an unused substitute in Forest's last game, is "ready to start".

• Igor Jesus and Nicolo Savona are the only players who can't be involved with everyone else being "fine and fit".

• Glasner says Gibbs-White's return is "important", adding: "He can create chances and score goals himself and that is always very positive - but on the other hand, without him we had a very competitive team against the champions. This gives us confidence."

• On the team's performances and results so far this season: "The feeling is that we deserve more points but the reality is that we don't. So far the tactical approach has been quite OK in most games, but if things don't work, you need to do something extra or 'not on your to do list' to get the result.

• He spoke about the importance of sticking to his principles: "The results are not satisfying but I won't change my principles in life or how I see football because this is why I'm sitting here as a Premier League manager. I was just told I am the manager with the most trophies won in the last 16, 17 months. Why is there now doubts?"

• On coming to the City Ground: "The reason I am sitting here is because no-one was pleased with last year's season. We want to change something because if you do the same you will always get the same. Right now we are the same but we want to change a few things."

• On what he wants to change: "It's not just how we play, it's how we deal with each other. We are in the middle of the thunderstorm but you always have to go through it. Afterwards, the sun is shining."

Are Nottingham Forest's lack of goals a worry or just unlucky?

That's the question BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club have been debating after Oliver Glasner's side failed to find the back of the net at the City Ground for a fifth consecutive game in all competitions.

The unwanted run comes after owner Evangelos Marinakis splashed a club-record £50m on Chelsea striker Liam Delap, who has scored just one league goal in 2026-27.

"When he was playing for Chelsea he was doing a lot of things right, but he is paid to put the ball in the back of the net and he isn't doing that," former Manchester City centre-back Steph Houghton said. "Obviously, in seasons gone by, Nottingham Forest have heavily relied on Chris Wood to score goals.

"It seems like the team are lacking a bit of confidence when it comes to getting in the box and making that final action. It probably isn't a situation the club or its fans need at this moment in time."

The Observer's Rory Smith provided a different viewpoint, claiming that there isn't "any problem to analyse" and that the Reds' goalscoring figures "will average out".

"Nottingham Forest are fourth in the xG table, which suggests they are creating chances," Smith said.

"You could worry that Liam Delap, Chris Wood and Arnaud Kalimuendo aren't quite of the requisite quality to take those chances though, but the chances are they're just having a bit of a bad run at the moment.

"I reckon they will make up for it by having a better run relatively soon. I'm not worried about the club in any way."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal.

Here are some of your comments:

Forest fans

Richard: In your wisdom, you sack Nuno Espirito Santo and then finish up with second-rate replacements. Is it no wonder Forest are struggling at the bottom of the table. When will owners, like ours, ever get it right?

Sean: Another battling defeat. Another loss with plenty of positives to take. Another home match we failed to score in with the amount of chances we made. It's against the league champions, so it was always going to be a tall order, but the question has to be asked. When are all these good things we're doing going to pay off?

Peter: The players gave their all to limit Arsenal to one shot on target - unfortunately, that shot took a deflection and resulted in us losing the game. But as Glasner said, the results will come and it was encouraging to see how well we defended as a team. Keep the faith.

John: Football is a cruel sport. We deserved at least a point. We didn't let them play and could/should have levelled in the last five minutes. There's no justice. We'll win games (one day) by playing worse than this. I can't fault the effort, the set-up, the invention. They're champions because they had one chance and took it. We didn't. One of these days we'll give someone a proper beating. Soon, I hope.

Arsenal fans

Matthew: Arsenal got the job done, but the performance was far from convincing. We controlled possession for long periods but lacked creativity and urgency in the final third. Against a disciplined Nottingham Forest side, we needed more quality and quicker decision-making to create clear chances. Keeping a clean sheet away from home was another positive. The biggest takeaway is that title-winning teams must find ways to win even when they are not at their best.

Trevor: Dangerous to leave it till the second half to start playing. The deflection for the goal was fortunate but, on balance, Arsenal just about deserved the win.

Philip: Nottingham Forest played well and for 80 minutes they had the edge. Madueke's goal was proof we need to do more down the left. Our moves on the right are predictable, and Saka is getting closed down far too easily. We ground out the win, but it wasn't pretty.

Rod: Eze continues to frustrate and Havertz is ineffective playing with his back to goal. Saka is attracting two defenders every match, but we seem unable to use the overload effectively. Tzolis is truly missed and Dowman deserves a start when Arsenal are misfiring so badly. Konsa is our best signing this year and Saliba will struggle to push his way into the only part of the team functioning well. Give Guimaraes time to adjust to the Arsenal heartbeat, and he'll take some of the creative pressure off of Odegaard.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Morgan Gibbs-White is expected to be fit for Nottingham Forest's crucial trip to Ipswich.

The England international missed Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal with a muscle injury having missed training in the week.

Gibbs-White suffered the problem in last week's loss at Crystal Palace and Forest missed his invention as they slipped to a harsh defeat against the Gunners.

It left them in the Premier League's relegation zone - and goalless and winless at home in the top flight - going into Friday's trip to Portman Road.

"He was very close to playing and he said he's fine but he felt it a little bit," said Glasner.

"In a few situations he felt his muscle and then I decided not to play him. I didn't want to take any risk and we can't allow to lose him because if it was a re-injury it was four, five, six weeks.

"That's why I decided not to play him. I think all the players did very well and I expect him being back for the Ipswich game."

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It has been eight hours and 26 minutes since Nottingham Forest scored at the City Ground.

Had it not been for Ezri Konsa's excellent block to thwart Liam Delap in stoppage time, that run would have been broken but, instead, Forest are still looking for a first home goal since May.

It was only in the final few minutes against Arsenal that they really threatened, with Chris Wood having a shot blocked and Murillo shooting over.

Defeat, following Noni Madueke's deflected effort, also leaves them pointless at home and keeps Oliver Glasner's side in the Premier League's relegation zone.

"It feels very harsh, it feels unfair, but we have to accept it. We are missing some bits. The performance in many parts was very good. Giving them one shot on target, it's deflected, and we lose feels even tougher," said Glasner.

"What I take from today's game is another frustrating result, but we can be very tough to play against. In every single game we create moments where we can score.

"We will get the results we all feel we deserve."

Defeat keeps Forest in the bottom three of the Premier League ahead of Friday's trip to Ipswich.

Glasner added: "I have no doubts in what we are doing. It has proven right so often, and I am really confident we will go where we want to be. We are not there today but we will be."

Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Very tough to take, a bit of deja vu. Many things here we feel the result is unfair, but it's what stands, and it's zero points at home.

"Very good performance against the champions. We caused many problems, didn't give them a lot and, at the end, we have zero points. It's tough today. It feels a bit unfair, but on the other side it's our responsibility to not drop the head and build up on the performance and the many positive aspects.

"Feels a bit weird to have a third defeat in a row but I see progress in every game and today the effort was amazing, - it was just the result we can't be pleased with.

"Huge credit to the players, they stick to the plan, and then we had our moments and if you want to win against the champions you have to take these moments and this is what we have to work on - to take the moments.

"When I see the reaction at the end, three big opportunities in the end, many set pieces and things to improve. Eight corners, but we didn't take one and this is what we have to learn and improve, and we'll get the results we all think we deserve."

On a lack of confidence in front of goal: "I don't think so. When you see their goal, it's deflected, otherwise it's straight to the gloves of Matz Sels. You have periods in football where you feel everything going against you and then there are periods when things are on your side.

"Now it is how we deal with the situation and react as a team and just how we can change this is staying positive, sticking together and working hard. And having this coolness, not to worry too much, because I can see good performances and not good results. The results will come if the performances stay good.

"It's like the stock market - the past never tells you what happens in the future. Sometimes it takes a while - during my first year at Palace we didn't start well but we had a turnaround.

"We are playing better right now, but we also concede how competitive the Premier League is because every mistake you get punished. Today I was pleased with the team."

Nottingham Forest defender Murillo, speaking to Sky Sports: "We knew it would be a tough game, it is always against Arsenal. They have a good team.

"But we feel we can change the result, maybe a draw, maybe a win. Now we have to put it in the past and focus on the next match.

"We have a good manager and I think we are still getting his ideas. We changed everything in our system this season. It is difficult, but after three or four months we keep improving, and I think we are close to reaching our best."

Did you know?

• Nottingham Forest have won just one of their last 15 Premier League games at the City Ground (D8 L6); since the first of these matches (27 December 2025), no ever-present side has won fewer home games in the competition.

• Along with Schalke 04, Nottingham Forest are one of just two sides without a home league goal in Europe's big-five leagues this season.

Listen to more from Glasner below or on BBC Sounds

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Oliver Glasner delivered memories Crystal Palace fans perhaps never thought they would experience by winning the FA Cup and the Uefa Conference League with the Eagles.

He left and became head coach at Nottingham Forest in the summer, but the City Ground's Glasner era is not quite going to plan in these early stages of the season.

Forest have managed just one win in the Premier League - a 2-1 win at Aston Villa - but their home form will be starting to become a serious concern.

Victory against the defending champions was always going to be a lot to ask, even with Arsenal not at their best, but the failure to get a goal in this game means Forest have not yet scored a goal in four home league games this season.

Their struggle to make opportunities count in the final third is the main issue. They had 14 shots against Arsenal but only two went on target.

Nottingham Forest starting XI:

Matz Sels: The goalkeeper was untroubled with Arsenal struggling to create clear chances until Forest's resistance was broken with 10 minutes left. 6

Murillo: He took a blow to the head in the first half which required treatment and almost grabbed an injury-time leveller following some great skill. 6

Ousmane Diomande: It was only the summer signing's fourth Premier League start but he has settled well and looked to be helping Forest to a positive point. 6

Jair Cunha: Has become a dependable member of Oliver Glasner's side and was unlucky when Madueke's shot clipped him and flew in. 6

Neco Willams: Booked in the first half and was unable to threaten from wing-back while his usual reliable deliveries did not meet his usual standards. 6

Xaver Schlager: The midfielder has slotted in well to the Forest engine room but was unable to influence the game this time. 6

Nicolas Dominguez: Neat and tidy in the middle in his first Premier League appearance of the season but naturally ran out of steam. 6

James McAtee: Without the injured Morgan Gibbs-White the onus fell on him to be a creative force but, while he worked hard, could not find that spark. 6

Daniel Munoz: Tested David Raya in the first half and tried to get forward, especially in the first half, but more will be needed. 6

Dan Ndoye: The forward shot wide early but there was little end product and he was unable to get the better of Riccardo Calafiori. 6

Liam Delap: Enjoyed the physical battle with Arsenal's defence and was a nuisance to Ezri Konsa and Gabriel but did not get close to a goal. 6

Nottingham Forest substitutes:

Ibrahim Sangare (on 74, Dominguez): Stopped at the crucial moment to allow Arsenal to regroup and score. 5

Arnaud Kalimuendo (on 74, Ndoye)

Chris Wood (on, 85, Cunha)

Callum Hudson-Odoi (on 85, McAtee)

Subs not used: John Victor, Yates, Netz, Milenkovic, Aina

Read the full article and see how you rated the players

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Nottingham Forest's performance

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Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Bournemouth v Sunderland

• Brighton v Crystal Palace - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Leeds United v Manchester United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Nottingham Forest v Arsenal (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

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Nottingham Forest held Arsenal 0-0 here last season but I don't think they have got a clean sheet in them this time.

Forest were actually pretty good in their defeat against Crystal Palace, but just didn't take their chances.

I can't see them causing Arsenal too many problems, however. The Gunners had a good win over Lille in the Champions League on Tuesday and this should be just as comfortable for them.

Sutton's prediction: 0-3

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal face struggling Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday (16:30 BST) as they seek to continue their fine form after returning from the international break.

The Gunners have not been at their best in their past two fixtures, but they have battled well to earn a 2-1 victory over Leeds United in the Premier League and a 3-0 win against Lille in the Champions League.

Forest have yet to fire under new boss Oliver Glasner. They have suffered two consecutive defeats, with a disappointing 3-1 loss at Crystal Palace following a 1-0 reverse at home to Coventry City.

Glasner and Forest yet to get going

Glasner's style of play has yet to fully click at Forest, although their biggest issue so far this season has been a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal.

Only Tottenham, with a conversion rate of 4.72%, have a worse record in the Premier League. Forest also have the biggest differential between their expected goals (xG) and the number of goals they have scored, with figures of 10.30 and five respectively, leaving them at -5.30.

Glasner's side have also missed the most big chances in the Premier League this season, with 17, while they have hit the woodwork a league-high six times.

The head coach will be frustrated, as his team's poor form continues a trend we saw towards the end of last season, when he was the head coach at Crystal Palace.

Glasner has won just five of his last 29 Premier League games, and his win percentage of 17% is the second-lowest of any manager to have taken charge of 20 or more games, ahead of only Rob Edwards (13%).

Arteta finding an edge off the bench

The squad depth at Mikel Arteta's disposal has been key since the start of last season, with the high-quality options off the bench helping the Gunners get over the line.

Since the start of the previous campaign, Arsenal have recorded 25 goal contributions from substitutes - 13 goals and 12 assists - more than any other club in the top flight.

Two of those goals have come in the past three matches, with Bruno Guimaraes netting long-range strikes to clinch the points for the champions against Sunderland and Leeds.

Arsenal have also had to find different ways to score this season, as their set-piece effectiveness has dwindled compared with last year.

The Gunners are yet to score from a set-piece in the Premier League in 2026-27. It is the first time they have failed to score from one in any of their first six games of a season since 2011-12.

In terms of underlying numbers, their expected goals from set-pieces per 90 have fallen to 0.31 this season, down from 0.56 in the previous campaign. Their expected goals from corners have also declined, from 0.37 to 0.18.

Arsenal are taking more short corners on average, accounting for 18.5% of their corners this term, compared with 13% in the Premier League last season. The Gunners are also yet to take a single outswinging corner in their first six games, although they took just seven in the whole of last season.

Huzaifah Khan
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Arsenal at the City Ground (kick-off 16:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team news, Glasner said Nicola Savona and Igor Jesus are out because of injury, but Nikola Milenkovic "could be in the matchday squad".

• He also revealed that Morgan Gibbs-White has failed to train with the squad this week after suffering a minor muscle injury against Crystal Palace and is "doubtful" for Sunday's game. He added that the England international will have the chance to train on Saturday and the club will see how he reacts.

• On the fact his side missed big chances in the game against Palace and how they can do better against Arsenal, Glasner explained: "No team has seven, eight big chances like we had against Palace [against Arsenal] but it's possible to have two or three. Then, it's up us to be clinical, taking the chances and then you have the chance to win the game."

• On his strikers struggling in front of goal, Glasner said: "Today, the main topic was finishing in training. Before the training, I told the players what we're going to do and then I said the one who can explain it best how to deal with this situation is Chris Wood."

• He added: "Overall, [he's scored] around 200 goals in English football and he had to deal with these situations." Wood's message was: "Always be confident, never lose trust in yourself, and there's always another one around the corner. Glasner added: "And that's exactly how it is. I could see players start to smile and that's how you best to deal with it."

• The Austrian boss was highly complimentary of the Gunners saying: "In every game this season they were outrunning the opposition. It's incredible. The effort and the mindset Mikel [Arteta] has created there is incredible."

• He added: "This makes it so tough to play against them and you see it from every single player. They have so many world-class players they can react from the bench."

Listen to full commentary of Nottingham Forest v Arsenal on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds on Sunday

Find more from Glasner by pressing play above or on BBC Sounds here

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