Nottingham Forest 2022-23 Premier League Preview
Can Cooper keep the Reds up?
Bookmaker Paddy Power
Nottingham Forest Relegation Odds: Evens odds taken 2208 GMT, Friday 15 July
Nottingham Forest’s long stay away from the top flight of English football is over, as Steve Cooper guided the Reds to promotion via the EFL Championship play-offs last season. Cooper did a remarkable job at Forest, as the club were bottom of the second-tier table when he arrived at the City Ground.
Of course, staying in the Premier League is a different task altogether. Like most promoted teams, the bookies have tipped Forest for an instant return to the Championship, but can the Midlands club prove their doubters wrong?
In our in-depth Nottingham Forest 2022-23 Premier League betting preview, we assess the club’s survival chances, look at the new signings, and check back on what was a remarkable 2021-22 season at the City Ground.
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Table of Contents
- 1 2021-22 Review: Reds come from nowhere to seal promotion
- 2 Forest Transfer News: Any more incomings at the City Ground?
- 3 2022-23 Key Fixtures: Forest play Man City & Spurs in August
- 4 Who Are Their Biggest Challengers: Will the Reds defy the odds this season?
- 5 Everton Preview: Can the Toffees kick on under Lampard?
- 6 Leeds United Preview: Whites to stay away from trouble?
- 7 Brentford Preview: Plucky Bees to survive again?
- 8 Bournemouth Preview: Cherries to drop straight back down?
- 9 Fulham Preview: Can the Whites avoid an instant return this time?
- 10 Player to Watch Out For in the 2022-23 Season: Williams to settle in nicely at City Ground
- 11 Our Nottingham Forest Predictions: Cooper’s men to finish above the dotted line
2021-22 Review: Reds come from nowhere to seal promotion
Nottingham Forest made a woeful start to their 2021-22 Championship campaign under the experienced Chris Hughton. They drew one and lost six of the opening seven to sit rock bottom of the table in the early weeks. Hughton was sacked in September, with former Swansea City boss Cooper taking over shortly after.
Cooper had an instant impact at the City Ground, guiding the Reds to four wins and a draw from his opening five matches in charge. Before the end of 2021, Forest had picked up another four wins and were beaten just three times to move well clear of the bottom three.
They really kicked on in 2022 and turned themselves into genuine promotion contenders. Forest would go on to win a staggering 14 of 19 before a crunch match at Bournemouth in early May. They were confined to the play-offs after a 1-0 loss at the Vitality Stadium.
The Reds went up against Sheffield United in the play-off semis, winning 2-1 away and losing 2-1 at home. They prevailed with a 3-2 penalty shootout win to book their place in the play-off final. It was a tight final against Huddersfield Town, with a Levi Colwill own goal giving the Reds the victory and a place in the 2022-23 Premier League.
Nottingham Forest Key Facts
- Forest lost just six regular season matches under Cooper last season
- The Reds were bottom of the Championship when Cooper took over in September 2021
- Nottingham Forest have not been in the Premier League since the 1998-99 season
- Forest were European Cup winners in 1979 and 1980
Forest Transfer News: Any more incomings at the City Ground?
Nottingham Forest have been very busy in the transfer market, bringing in several shrewd acquisitions of late. Moussa Niakhate arrived from Mainz for £17m, while Neco Williams has made the switch to the City Ground from Liverpool for the same fee.
Forest have brought in Taiwo Awoniyi for £17.5m, and Giulian Biancone, Omar Richards and Ryan Hammond have also made permanent moves. Dean Henderson has joined on a season-long loan from Man United.
Several players have left, with the likes of Brice Samba, Gaetan Bong and Lewis Grabban all moving on. In total, 17 players have departed the City Ground so far.
2022-23 Key Fixtures: Forest play Man City & Spurs in August
Nottingham Forest face a tough trip to big-spenders Newcastle United on the opening weekend of the 2022-23 Premier League season. They then face European hopefuls West Ham United in their opening home match. At the end of August, the Midlands club travel to Tottenham Hotspur before welcoming champions Manchester City to the City Ground.
September is shaping up to be a pivotal month, as Forest play Bournemouth, Leeds United and Fulham in successive games. They sign off for the 2022 FIFA World Cup break with a home game with Crystal Palace before returning to action with a Boxing Day trip to Manchester United.
Forest have a tough finish, as they take on Chelsea and Arsenal before ending with a game against Palace at Selhurst Park.
Who Are Their Biggest Challengers: Will the Reds defy the odds this season?
Nottingham Forest spent two decades away from the Premier League, even spending time in EFL League One. However, they are back in the big time after winning the 2021-22 Championship play-offs. As previously mentioned, when Cooper arrived at the City Ground in September, Forest were bottom of the Championship table.
The Reds defied the odds last term, and Cooper is already a Nottingham Forest legend after guiding the club back to the Premier League. Of course, the Midlands outfit will want to stay there now and become an established top-flight team. Who will be their main rivals this season?
Everton Preview: Can the Toffees kick on under Lampard?
Everton had a miserable 2021-22 season. They made a strong start under Rafael Benitez, but a woeful run of one win, three draws and 11 defeats from 15 games saw the Merseysiders slip towards the bottom three. Frank Lampard replaced Benitez at the start of 2022.
Everton had a few more sticky spells before the season wrapped up, but they survived after a dramatic comeback win over Crystal Palace in their penultimate game. The Toffees will be hoping to be nowhere near the bottom three this time around.
Leeds United Preview: Whites to stay away from trouble?
Leeds United were on their way to relegation last season, and the popular Marcelo Bielsa was sacked in February after a 4-0 hammering by Tottenham at Elland Road. Jesse Marsch lost his first two fixtures in charge, but Leeds went on to win three and draw two of the next five.
United survived on the final day after an excellent victory at the Brentford Community Stadium. After finishing ninth in their first year back, the relegation battle was a real shock to the system. Still, Marsch will be looking to stamp his authority at Elland Road, and Leeds will be hoping to finish around mid-table this term.
Brentford Preview: Plucky Bees to survive again?
Avoiding the drop will be the number one priority for Brentford this season. They may have finished 13th last term, but the Bees will take 17th spot right now if offered. The lack of signings at present may worry the Bees’ supporters, but their squad is strong enough to compete once again.
Brentford proved their doubters wrong last term, and they will be desperate to do the same this time around. Can the Londoners stay in the Premier League for a second season running?
Bournemouth Preview: Cherries to drop straight back down?
After two years away, Bournemouth are back in the top tier of English football. Scott Parker done a terrific job at the Vitality Stadium last year, guiding the Cherries to a second-place finish behind his former club Fulham. They won 25, drew 13 and lost eight of 46 league matches.
Like any promoted club, Bournemouth will be doing everything in their power to avoid an instant return to the Championship. Naturally, they are one of the favourites to go down, but can Parker keep the Cherries in the Premier League?
Fulham Preview: Can the Whites avoid an instant return this time?
Fulham romped their way to the Championship title last term, finishing on 90 points and scoring an incredible 106 goals. The Cottagers have been somewhat of a yoyo club in recent times, suffering two instant relegations back to the second tier. Can they keep themselves up this time around?
Staying up will be the priority, but Fulham will be looking to finish as high as possible this term. They have a top manager in Marco Silva, although the Londoners have been quiet in the transfer market so far. It will be very interesting to see how Fulham fare this season.
Player to Watch Out For in the 2022-23 Season: Williams to settle in nicely at City Ground
Nottingham Forest already have some excellent players, but the signing of Neco Williams from Liverpool has really caught the eye. The Wales international blossomed nicely at Anfield, and really showed his quality while on loan at Fulham last season.
In spite of his young age, Williams has already racked up over 20 appearances for his national side. The Wrexham-born full-back loves to get forward and he could be the Nottingham Forest player to watch out for this season.
Our Nottingham Forest Predictions: Cooper’s men to finish above the dotted line
Forest will no doubt go head-to-head with fellow promoted sides Fulham and Bournemouth in the battle for survival this season. The likes of Everton, Brentford and Leeds United could also be in the mix.
Forest just need to better three teams, and Cooper would unquestionably take 17th place right now if offered. We are backing the Reds to keep themselves up this term (8/11).
