Nottingham Forest

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

Here are some of your comments:

Raymond: So frustrating today! But as long as we can maintain the belief we can win both the games that's left. I again reiterate Ryan Yates brings no new dynamic when he either plays or comes on. He is average at best and has limited technical ability. He's also slow and not creative enough. I believe the club is being loyal by keeping him in the first-team squad. We need to replace him next season with a more skilful and holding midfielder.

Iain: Over the course of 90 minutes, I'd say Forest deserved more out of it, but Leicester took advantage when they got the chance. We are guaranteed European football, we have a 20-goal striker, and this is year three. After two years of dodging the drop, there's plenty to celebrate.

Gary: Not brave enough to grasp the opportunity to get into the top five. Negative tactics has cost us the chance of Champions League and FA Cup success. 'Seize the day' is the saying, and we haven't. Mid-table next year with thoughts of what could have been.

Darren: Over the course of the 38 games, Forest will finish in the top seven, which was unthinkable this time last season. It's been a tremendous season and no amount of clickbait 'bottlers' headlines will change that. Forest running out of steam is completely understandable and nothing to be ashamed of, the future looks very bright! Bye bye Leicester.

Bogey: Still in our hands. Probably us or Chelsea but the way this season has gone and the passion our players have (and owner and manager, which is scarce these days). After today. I'd back us.

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's five Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Southampton 0-0 Man City

• Bournemouth 0-1 Aston Villa

• Manchester United 0-2 West Ham

• Nottingham Forest 2-2 Leicester

• Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal

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Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the 2-2 draw with Leicester: "Of course, it was a day that we put a lot of energy in to achieve the win. It's frustrating when you don't do it. It was our game to get.

"Easy to say, we need to be solid especially when we were controlling the game and being dominant. The goal was avoidable, we should have done much better. That's the frustration we have.

"No matter what happened to Leicester, they have quality players and showed that today to make it hard to beat them."

"Honestly, I think we should have won this game today. It's a bad day today."

On Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis coming onto the pitch at full-time: "Football is emotions. Today there were more than 30,000 people in the ground with their own emotions. It was a tough moment, after the situation with [Taiwo Awoniyi] we had one man less after a misunderstanding.

"It's difficult to control emotions when we had so much expectation on a day like this."

Is Awoniyi's injury situation the reason he came onto the pitch? "Yes, it was because of that. It was a misunderstanding, a miscommunication. I'm sorry, I cannot go much further.

"It's based on emotions, you cannot make a big deal out of it. It happens and it will happen again. With the emotions today, it's understandable."

On fight for Champions League places: "We now have to react. We have two games left, it's no longer in our hands but we have to find solutions for the team for those games."

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Wood recorded his 100th Premier League goal involvement (89 goals, 11 assists), while becoming just the second player to reach 20 goals for Nottingham Forest in a Premier League campaign, after Stan Collymore in 1994-95 (22).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Forest's performance

What did you make of Leicester's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

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Five matches make up Sunday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Newcastle v Chelsea (12:00)

• Manchester United v West Ham - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Nottingham Forest v Leicester City - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Tottenham v Crystal Palace - live on the BBC Sport website

• Liverpool v Arsenal (16:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 14:15 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

I am at this game for BBC Radio 5 Live and it is a must-win for Nottingham Forest in the top-five race.

The pressure is off Leicester because they are already down and they are probably still smiling after getting a rare win over Southampton last time out, when Jamie Vardy scored his 199th goal for the Foxes.

I bet Vardy would dearly love to get goal number 200 against Forest's rivals before he leaves the club in the summer, and this game does have a whiff of being one where he has a say in keeping Forest out of the Champions League places

Still, if both teams play anything like they have done all season then this is a Forest win, easily.

Chris Wood scored twice in a 3-1 win at the King Power in October and although his goals have dried up a bit, I can see him getting back on the scoresheet here.

The result is really all that matters for Forest, because they need to get to the last game of the season in touch with Chelsea before they meet in what might turn out to be a Champions League play-off.

Forest are playing catch-up at the moment but, with West Ham up next after this, I still think they have a very good chance of making it.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Saveena Johal
Fan writer

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With the race for Champions League football reaching the final few hurdles, we asked our fan contributors of five clubs involved to let us know if their team will make the top five and if not, what happens next...

Nottingham Forest are going to make the top five because…

Despite the recent drop in form, we have shown we can take points consistently throughout this season.

The run-in for us is, on paper, more favourable than that of our nearest competitors. We play Chelsea in the final game - they also play Newcastle - and the Magpies have a tough match against Arsenal, so they will likely drop points.

Injuries have impacted our recent run and there are signs of fatigue at this stage of the campaign, but qualification for Champions League football remains in our hands. Win our games and we will hear that famous anthem played at The City Ground next season, whatever our competitors do.

But if they don't qualify, it will mean…

We hopefully will still see European football at The City Ground next season.

This would still represent the best campaign of football the city of Nottingham has seen for 30 years. The club would be back with the European greats, helping us keep and attract top-class players and push on to greater heights in the coming seasons.

After the most competitive Premier League for a while, we can be proud of the consistency the team has shown, and the fans would look back on a season where we beat Liverpool at Anfield, Manchester United at Old Trafford and at home, Manchester City at The City Ground - making countless memories and enjoying away days as well as another trip to Wembley (despite the result).

There would be lots to remember and build upon, even if we do not get to the Champions League. The team and fans have been an inspiration this season and that bodes well for the coming years for Forest fans.

Find more from Saveena Johal at Punjabi Forest, external

Here is what the other four contenders' fans thought about the race for Champions League football...

Man City will make the top five because "simply, we are one of the best teams in the country"

Newcastle will make the top five because "we have the number one striker in world football"

Chelsea will make the top five because of "belief generated" by win over Liverpool

Aston Villa will make the top five because "we know exactly what we need to do"

On the latest episode of his BBC Sounds podcast, Kyle Walker talks about Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool's title, the race for the Champions League and dealing with injury at AC Milan.

Listen to the episode

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Leicester City (kick-off 14:15 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Murillo is a doubt after being forced off with an injury at Selhurst Park on Monday. He has been involved in "part of the training sessions" this week but his availability will need to be assessed tomorrow.

• Callum Hudson-Odoi will be unavailable but it is hoped the winger will feature again this season.

• He has tried to pinpoint a reason for their recent mixed form but he is yet to find any answers: "I think it is understandable. It is part of the game and part of life - the ups and the downs. I think we improved against Crystal Palace and now we require improvement against Leicester City."

• He said Newcastle United's game against Chelsea on Sunday at 12:00 BST will "upset" their warm-up before taking on Leicester City because it will be "impossible" to keep the players away from their phones and TVs, but he believes it is "better to see these things".

• However, he did concede he has not been keeping a keen eye on other fixtures that might help their quest for Champions League football: "I take the 'ifs' out of my head. I don't work on 'ifs' - I actually try to avoid them. Expectations and perceptions of reality mess with your mind."

• On how he is coping with the fight for Champions League football: "In the same way that I've been dealing with it since the start of this season. This is a stressful job but it is also enjoyable, especially when you see the improvement of the players and when the fans are happy. I think we should be proud in these moments and just enjoy it."

• He is looking for his players to "enjoy the moment", "be proud of being in the fight", "play well", "compete for every ball" and "do everything that they can" with only three games left of the 2024-25 season.

• He is not underestimating relegated Leicester City, saying they will bring a "difficult game" to the City Ground because they have plenty of "talented" players.

• He added: "A season like theirs can happen to any team, but the squad talent is there."

• He voiced his respect for Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has endured a difficult time in the Foxes hotseat: "It is a tough job - and us, as comrades, we try to support each other."

• On the "added element" of it being a local derby: "We have to make sure that at our home, we are the ones in charge of the East Midlands. We have a lot of people working with us that are from Nottingham, and they make sure we know what this game means."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray talked about Forest's European dreams on the latest Shut Up And Show More Football podcast: "It could feel different if Forest beat Leicester on Sunday, especially with West Ham away to follow, who are hardly firing on all cylinders at the moment.

"There are a number of fans who are, quite rightly, looking up and others who are looking below them to make sure Forest are getting some European football.

"If they can keep Chelsea at arm's length then the last day could be a shoot-out. Chelsea have Newcastle and Manchester United to face compared with Forest who have Leicester and West Ham. You would think that it is in Forest's grasp to keep Chelsea within a couple of points, if not go past them.

"From Forest's perspective, they have 19th and 17th-placed teams left to play so it is very much in their hands to keep things alive until the final day."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your views on what might be going under the radar with Nottingham Forest.

Here are some of your comments:

Mark: Another couple of points will guarantee Forest finish no lower than seventh. Wow, what a great campaign. European football in any guise would not have been a consideration prior to the season starting. I would have settled for 12th or close to it. Hopefully seventh would still get a European berth but I'm a little concerned matters could be taken out of our hands elsewhere, depending on who wins what.

Dave: That Europa League qualification would be a massive success this year. And probably a better fit for our squad to compete.

Alison: That the Europa League might be a better adjustment to European football for Forest rather than the Champions League is not something you want to be saying on the terraces.

Edward: This season has been a high-wire act of epic proportions. A small, shallow squad where Nuno trusts a core of maybe 15 players. No suitable additions were available in January. A combination of prayer and good fortune has kept the squad ticking over for most of the season. The injection of Champions League cash would be an elixir of life for the club, allowing Nuno to add quality and depth. Three immense games await.

John: Scoring goals is what we are missing and lots of it.

Tom: Nottingham Forest B team winning the International Cup on Wednesday on penalties. Well done lads! As usual, no coverage, if a big six team had done it there would be at least three articles by now.

Sean: Nottingham Forest's B team winning the International Cup, beating Lyon on penalties with Zach Abbott scoring the decisive penalty. The future is bright.

The latest episode of The Shut Up And Show More Football podcast has landed.

BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray and David Jackson discuss the final three games of the season and catch up with Joe Worrall about Forest's under-21 players after they won the Premier League International Cup on Wednesday.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

When things start to go awry towards the end of the season, some players can let it affect them.

From a Nottingham Forest perspective, of all the teams that up there, they are probably the ones who have had to adjust their expectations the most as the season has progressed.

There may be some players who were more comfortable with the opening objectives of doing well in the league, not being involved in a relegation scrap and seeing how far up the table they can finish.

But now they are up against teams who at the start of the campaign built their squads around trying to qualify for Europe and the Champions League and with that comes a certain type of mentality.

Any recent slide Forest have had is all relative because, in the grand scheme of things, they have still had a very, very good season. While the toughness of this part of the season may affect one or two, in reality, it will always be led by the manager because he will be able to see who is being affected and who is not.

Dips in form happen to everyone, especially those teams that are fighting for Champions League places. Some have had really good times then indifferent spells. Everyone goes through it, but it is about how you get out the other side - having the right mentality, a healthy team and a bit of good fortune.

Whether it could be a blessing in disguise if Forest qualify for Europa League instead of Champions League is difficult to say.

Qualifying for the Champions League is something you always remember. The experience of it and then the financial benefits too. Maybe the Europa League would suit Forest in terms of having a better chance of winning it, but most players dream of playing in the Champions League.

And most clubs dream of having their club in the Champions League. If Forest can do that a year after being involved in a relegation dogfight, then I think they will do whatever they need to give themselves a chance of being competitive.

Being able to test yourself against the best in Europe is something I do not think any club would ever want to turn down.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

Nottingham Forest remain in the fight for Champions League football but have spluttered in recent games.

We have heard plenty about Morgan Gibbs-White's form - and potential future - and the impact of the defensive stability this season.

But you know your club best so give us a peek behind the curtain. Let us know the one thing that no-one is talking about at Forest but really should be.

Tell us here

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

For more than a decade, those watching from the stands and through screens have been led to believe that possession-based football is the holy grail when pursuing success.

With Barcelona's tiki-taka and the tactics brought to the Premier League by Pep Guardiola, more and more teams have prioritised this 'easy on the eye' style of play.

And while it is hard to argue with the success of the La Liga giants and Manchester City's recent trophy-laden years, it is not something that works for everyone.

A number of teams have fallen foul of this obsession to build up play from the back and keep-ball over counter-attack.

But, it is a mould Nottingham Forest have been trying to break this season.

The Reds sit sixth in the table and just two points off a Champions League spot - this despite having the second-lowest average possession in the league so far this campaign (39.97%).

From relegation candidates to European place contenders in less than 12 months, they have built this progress, not on possession, but on a solid defence and ability to be clinical on the counter-attack.

The East Midlands side are joint-fourth for goals conceded (42) and sit only one place and one fewer than newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool for clean sheets (13).

There have been few occasions this term where Forest have been equal to or had more possession than their opponent.

Their draw at Crystal Palace on Monday night was one such occasion. Despite having more of the ball, they struggled to really create quality chances and, had Eberechi Eze's late effort dipped a couple of inches lower, they may have come away empty handed.

There have been 28 games in the league when Nuno Espirito Santo's side have had under 50% of the possession this season, of which they have gone on to win 15 - a win percentage of 54%.

In a much smaller sample size, there have been just seven occasions in which they have had 50% or more possession and from those they have won three games, giving them a win percentage of 43%.

While they understandably concede less per game when they have more of the ball (0.86 compared to 1.29), they do tend to score more when they have less possession (1.61 compared to 1.29 per game).

In fact, when looking at how they fared in the match they had least possession in this campaign, they scored three times in a win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

In contrast, in the game where they had the ball the most - at home to Brentford - they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat.

When everyone else is trying to move more towards the possession-based grain, going against it could be what secures Forest European football for the first time in more than 40 years.

How do you feel about Forest's style of play?

Make your choice