Nottingham Forest 2026/27 Season Preview: Transfers, Squad Depth & Fixture Outlook

 

 

Nottingham Forest turned last season into a soap opera: four head coaches, Nuno Espírito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche and Vítor Pereira, all in one campaign. They still finished 16th. Somehow, they also reached the Europa League semi-finals. Then came more drama. Oliver Glasner walked away from Crystal Palace right after winning the Conference League, their biggest trophy ever, to take over at Forest. But his rebuild lost its centrepiece before it began: Elliot Anderson, the club's brightest asset, joined Manchester City for a club-record £116million. My colleagues at GoalBible and I keep debating one question. Who exactly is Glasner supposed to build around now?

 

Who Did Nottingham Forest Sign and Sell in 2026/27?

 

Nottingham Forest New Signing Players (2026/27)

 

 

Nottingham Forest Departure Players (2026/27)

 

Note: Updated on 15 Sept 2026

 

Ousmane Diomande arriving from Sporting CP for £34.2million is Glasner's first real statement signing, and the profile says plenty. A physically strong centre-back who's comfortable on the ball and can slot into a back three, which is exactly what Glasner wanted at Crystal Palace. Diomande won back-to-back Portuguese titles and played for Ivory Coast at the 2026 World Cup, so he lands at the City Ground with genuine pedigree. Xaver Schlager and Steven Benda add free-transfer depth in midfield and goal.

 

But the Elliot Anderson sale is the real story of Forest's summer. Glasner admitted to TalkSPORT that the decision was already made before he walked through the door, calling it part of football's "food chain." He pointed to his Palace experience, losing Michael Olise before winning two trophies, then losing Eberechi Eze and Marc Guéhi mid-season and still lifting the Conference League. I'd suggest that parallel is comforting in theory, but it only works if Forest find someone close to Anderson's quality. Right now, that replacement hasn't arrived, and it's the biggest question hanging over this squad.

 

More on this: Which Premier League Transfers Could Make the Biggest Impact in 2026/27?

 

Where Are Nottingham Forest's Biggest Squad Strengths and Weaknesses?

 

Goalkeepers – 3/5 (GoalBible Score)

 

Players: John Victor, Matz Sels, Steven Benda

 

Matz Sels gives Forest a dependable starting point. He has featured in every early league game, making the goalkeeper position one of the less uncertain areas of the squad. I see Sels as a high-floor No.1: he may not completely transform Forest's level on his own, but his experience and consistency give the team a reliable presence behind the defence.

 

The bigger question is what happens if Sels is unavailable. Steven Benda provides reliable cover after arriving from Fulham, while John Victor remains the third-choice option with limited expectations for regular first-team football. That gives Forest a clear hierarchy, which is useful, but it also means there is a noticeable gap between the established starter and the developmental option.

 

Compared with some other areas of the squad, there is not much competition for the starting role. I actually see that as both a strength and a limitation. Forest know exactly who their No.1 is, but they do not have another goalkeeper pushing strongly enough to create genuine selection pressure.

 

Defence – 4/5 (GoalBible Score)

 

Players: Ousmane Diomande, Murillo, Jair Cunha, Luca Netz, Daniel Muñoz, Nikola Milenković, Ola Aina, Neco Williams, Felipe

 

Defence is one of Forest's strongest areas on paper, with a good balance of established Premier League experience and younger options. Murillo and Nikola Milenković provide a strong centre-back foundation, while Ousmane Diomande adds another high-level option at just 22. Jair Cunha and Felipe then give Forest further depth rather than leaving the starting pair without reliable cover.

 

I also like the versatility across the wider defensive group. Ola Aina can operate in several defensive positions, while Daniel Muñoz and Neco Williams provide established options on the flanks. Luca Netz adds another option on the left, meaning Forest are not overly dependent on one player to cover that side.

 

Neco Williams' numbers underline the defensive work he can contribute. He made 96 tackles last season, second only to the departed Elliot Anderson among Forest players, while recording 47 interceptions and 119 blocks and clearances. He also collected six yellow cards and one red, showing how aggressively he competes defensively.

 

For me, the biggest strength is therefore not simply the number of defenders, but the variety of profiles available. The slight concern is that several players, particularly Aina, are valuable partly because of their versatility, which means losing multiple players at once could still stretch the squad.

 

Midfield – 3.5/5 (GoalBible Score)

 

Players: Ibrahim Sangaré, Nicolás Domínguez, Morgan Gibbs-White, Xaver Schlager, Ryan Yates, James McAtee

 

Forest's midfield has a solid mix of physicality, experience and technical ability, although I don't think the quality is evenly distributed across the group. Ibrahim Sangaré provides the ball-winning presence as well. Xaver Schlager adds another technically reliable option, while James McAtee brings more quality in advanced areas.

 

The standout is clearly Morgan Gibbs-White. His numbers from last season make that difficult to argue against. He scored 15 Premier League goals and provided four assists, with 12 of those goals coming in 2026 across 18 appearances. He also created 49 chances and attempted 583 passes in the final third. Looking at those figures, I see Gibbs-White as far more than just another midfielder in this squad; he is the player most directly responsible for turning possession into a combination of goals, chances created and final-third involvement last season. 

 

That is also where I see the main weakness. Forest have reasonable depth behind him, but none of the other midfielders produced anything close to the same combination of goals, chances created and final-third involvement last season. If his numbers fall significantly, I would expect Forest's attacking output from midfield to drop with them.

 

Forwards – 3/5 (GoalBible Score)

 

Players: Callum Hudson-Odoi, Chris Wood, Igor Jesus, Dan Ndoye, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Liam Delap

 

The forward line looks stronger in terms of options, but the numbers suggest there is still a gap between having attacking depth and having proven goal production. Liam Delap gives Forest a younger, higher-ceiling No.9, while Chris Wood provides a more established alternative. Igor Jesus and Arnaud Kalimuendo also mean Forest are not forced to depend on one striker profile.

 

Of everyone in this Forest squad, Igor Jesus is the one I struggle to place. Six league goals look ordinary. Seven in the Europa League made him joint-top scorer en route to the semi-finals. So which version shows up? His ceiling clearly sits higher than his Premier League numbers, but Forest shouldn't bank on that translation happening automatically.

 

The bigger improvement is therefore depth rather than guaranteed goals. Last season, Forest could get strong output from individual players, but the forward group did not consistently produce across competitions. Delap, Wood, Jesus and Kalimuendo give Forest more ways to share the scoring burden, but I would still want to see another forward establish consistent double-digit league output.

 

More on this: Can Nottingham Forest's Defence Become One of Their Biggest Strengths?

 

How Difficult Is Nottingham Forest’s 2026/27 Fixture List?

 

Nottingham Forest's 2026/27 fixture list looks tough but workable, and the difficulty is bunched into specific stretches rather than spread out. I think the opening weeks matter most, since several home games give Forest a chance to bank points before things get heavier from December. The real test comes during December and January, with trips to Manchester United, Newcastle, Manchester City and Chelsea, though Hull City, Sunderland, Everton and Fulham sit alongside those to offer recovery chances. The run-in follows a similar shape: Leeds away and Sunderland at home look favourable before Arsenal away on the final day. Honestly, this schedule rewards consistency. Forest don't need to beat the giants if they take care of the winnable games around them.

 

Updated 26/27 Fixture List for Nottingham Forest

 

 Note: Updated on 15 Sept 2026

 

What Went Wrong for Nottingham Forest in 2025/26?

 

Nottingham Forest enter the 2026/27 season after a difficult 2025/26 campaign, finishing 16th in the Premier League and also 16th in Opta’s expected-points ranking. More importantly, none of the four permanent head coaches produced a positive expected-goal difference during the season. To me, this suggests that Forest’s problems were not simply the result of bad luck; their underlying performances were genuinely inconsistent and below the level required for a comfortable Premier League position.

 

The lack of stability was also reflected in their relegation battle. The arrival of Oliver Glasner therefore gives the team an opportunity to establish a more settled environment. However, I would not expect an immediate transformation, as the players still need time to adjust after such a disrupted season.

 

Pre-season has provided some encouraging evidence of improvement. Forest won four of their nine friendlies, including victories over Bayer Leverkusen and Brest. They also started pre-season strongly with a 2–0 win over Notts County and a 3–0 win over Blackburn. However, consecutive 1–0 defeats to Udinese and Barcelona highlighted concerns about Forest’s attacking output against stronger opposition. Although the results were generally encouraging, Forest still showed some inconsistency, particularly when facing higher-level opposition.

 

Overall, I see Forest as a team with signs of recovery rather than a finished product. Their biggest challenge is improving the underlying performance that was weak last season while maintaining greater consistency. The pre-season results are encouraging, but the mixed performances suggest that Glasner still has significant work to do before Forest can become a more reliable side.

 

More on this: Has Forest’s Attacking Output Improved?

 

How Is Nottingham Forest Performing This Season?

 

Understanding where Forest are heading means being honest about the chaos of where they've been. These are the confirmed stats from 2025/26, the only reliable data we have before this season's picture becomes clearer.

 

2025/26 Premier League Stats

 

 

How Has Oliver Glasner Changed Nottingham Forest’s Tactical Identity?

 

 

The biggest change at Nottingham Forest going into the 2026/27 season is not simply the switch to a back three, but the clarity of their attacking structure under Oliver Glasner. Forest have moved away from the more reactive and inconsistent approaches seen previously and now have a recognisable 3-4-2-1/3-4-3 identity, with the wing-backs and two attacking midfielders forming the core of their offensive structure.

 

In possession, Forest can quickly turn their 3-2-4-1 into something closer to a 3-2-5. Daniel Muñoz and Ola Aina push extremely high, while Morgan Gibbs-White is given freedom to drift between the half-spaces. I particularly like this relationship because Gibbs-White does not need to stay fixed behind Liam Delap. His movement can drag midfielders out of position, creating the space for Muñoz or the opposite attacking midfielder to attack the gap. This also means Forest can progress attacks without relying on long spells of possession.

 

Their most dangerous moments should still come in transition. When Forest win the ball, the first instinct is vertical: Gibbs-White looks forward, Delap attacks the channels, and the wing-backs immediately provide width and depth. This is a significant contrast to a Forest side that could previously become too slow or predictable when possession was recovered.

 

However, I think the same aggressive structure creates Forest's biggest weakness. With both wing-backs high, the space behind them can become vulnerable if the first counterpress is beaten. This places considerable responsibility on the outside centre-backs, particularly Murillo, to defend large areas in transition. The back three gives Forest better coverage than a traditional back four, but it does not completely solve the problem.

 

Defensively, Glasner's mid-block should also make Forest more compact. Rather than pressing continuously, they can funnel opponents towards the wings before aggressively closing the ball-side area. This is where their 5-4-1 shape becomes particularly useful.

 

Overall, I see Forest as a side built around verticality, half-space occupation and transition speed, rather than sterile possession. The key question for me is whether they can maintain this aggressive wing-back positioning against teams capable of playing through their first pressing line. If they can, the structure gives Forest a much clearer attacking identity than they had previously.

 

How Does the Market View Nottingham Forest?

 

The 401.00 odds from J8DE suggest very low market confidence in Nottingham Forest, mirroring their 16th-place finish in 2025/26. They're rated alongside Aston Villa even though they're a clear outsider, and I read that as limited expectation of a major improvement.

 

Note: Odds are accurate as of 15 Sept 2026

 

GoalBible Final Verdict

 

Forest's main task this season is converting last year's chaos into sustainable progress. Glasner brings credibility and stability, while Diomande and Delap give the squad more depth. Still, Anderson's exit leaves a significant hole, and Forest shouldn't assume new arrivals will replace his overall influence straight away. Gibbs-White stays their most important attacking player, but he needs more consistent support around him. The fixture list offers opportunities to build momentum, even if tougher stretches test their consistency. To me, Forest have enough quality to improve, but this season should be judged on whether they build a stronger foundation, develop their new signings and become more dependable week to week.

 

 

Nottingham Forest Top Scorer Predictions 2026/27: GoalBible Top 5

 

The following predictions and ranges are based on each player's actual 2025/26 season data, projected forward into the new campaign.

 

1. Liam Delap

 

No. of Goals: 10–13

No. of Assists: 2–4

 

Liam Delap is my No.1 pick, simply because he looks like the clearest candidate to become Forest's main striker. His 2025/26 Premier League campaign at Chelsea didn't look great on the scoresheet, just 1 goal and 0 assists in 1,102 minutes per FotMob, but I'm not going to be too harsh on him from such a small sample. What still stands out for me is his movement, his physicality and his ability to attack the box.

 

2. Morgan Gibbs-White

 

No. of Goals: 10–12

No. of Assists: 5–8

 

Gibbs-White is the player I trust most creatively. FotMob recorded 15 Premier League goals and 4 assists for him in 2025/26, with his 10.8 xG showing that some regression would be reasonable after such an efficient scoring campaign. I still expect him to remain heavily involved around the box, particularly through his creativity, set pieces and attacking positioning. 

 

3. Igor Jesus

 

No. of Goals: 7–10

No. of Assists: 3–5

 

Igor Jesus offers Forest a threat that looks nothing like Delap's. His debut Premier League season proved he can contribute even without being the undisputed No.1 striker. Minutes are my main worry: if Delap becomes the preferred starter, Jesus may not get enough playing time for a double-digit goal season. But his physical presence, movement and ability to play centrally stand out, and his 0.44 xG/90 is currently the best figure among Forest players.

 

4. Dan Ndoye

 

No. of Goals: 5–8

No. of Assists: 3–5

 

Dan Ndoye is a versatile wide forward who tends to play on the right, behind Delap. He enjoys cutting inside into the half-spaces, where his direct running and shooting can trouble defences. Linking with right wing-back Muñoz, he also helps create useful 2v1s out wide. To me, Ndoye looks particularly dangerous in transition, and his knack for attacking space quickly could make him a key outlet this season.

 

5. James McAtee

 

No. of Goals: 3–5

No. of Assists: 2–4

 

James McAtee is the most difficult player for me to predict because playing time is the biggest obstacle. FotMob shows that he had only 289 Premier League minutes in 2025/26, recording 0 goals and 1 assist. That obviously limits the evidence for a major scoring projection, but I still see upside because of his technical quality and versatility across midfield and the attacking line. If Forest give him a significantly larger role, I think 3–5 goals is achievable. Without regular starts, however, even reaching the lower end of this range could be difficult.

 

Nottingham Forest Final Position Prediction for 2026/27 Premier League

 

Prediction: 15th Place

 

I think Forest settle into a calmer, more stable mid-table season under Glasner without genuinely threatening a top-half finish. The defensive reshuffle around Diomande should improve organisation, and the absence of European football removes a significant source of fixture congestion. But losing Anderson without a like-for-like replacement leaves a real gap in midfield, and I'd expect that to cap this season's ceiling below where the underlying talent elsewhere in the squad might otherwise suggest. Fifteenth feels like a fair, unspectacular season that provides much-needed stability after such a chaotic campaign.

 

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