Nottingham Forest

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We are getting to the stage of the season where every Premier League team is managing injuries in their squad as the sheer volume and intensity of games begins to take its toll.

But who has been most affected by injuries across the campaign so far?

Ben Dinnery, from Premier Injuries Limited, has provided the data below, showing the number of domestic injuries each top-flight team has suffered, defined by a player missing at least one Premier League game.

The data has been taken from the opening weekend up to and including 18 March.

Despite this table listing domestic injuries, it is unsurprising that the top three of Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa have all competed in European competition, with the Gunners still fighting on four fronts and the Blues also coming off the back of a much-shortened pre-season following their Club World Cup victory.

Perhaps more surprisingly, however, is the fact Arsenal's 31 domestic injuries so far comfortably leads the way, illustrating the strength and depth available to Mikel Arteta to still have his side nine points clear at the top of the table.

The graphic below shows Tottenham lead the way for days missed by injured players, illustrating the issues faced by Thomas Frank, who had to cope with long-term absentees including Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison.

Both West Ham and Brentford are in the bottom three for domestic injuries and days missed through those injuries, while Arsenal and Villa are in the top three for both.

Chelsea drop down the table when looking at days missed, showing they have predominately suffered from short absences spread throughout the squad.

It is worth pointing out that Newcastle's two longest absences this season - Emil Krafth (120 days) and Yoane Wissa (88 days), who had not yet even trained with his new side, resulted from injuries picked up on international duty and are not factored into the figures.

BBC Nottingham are out in Herning, Denmark, chatting to travelling supporters before Nottingham Forest's Europa League last-16 second leg tie against Midtjylland on Thursday.

Play the clip below to hear more from fans out in Denmark or listen here on BBC Sounds

Meanwhile, BBC Radio Nottingham's David Jackson and Colin Fray did a special live preview show from the stadium on Wednesday, including interviews from the Forest camp - listen here on BBC Sounds.

Listen to full commentary as Forest face Midtjylland (not available online) and In The Game every weeknight from 18:00, on BBC Radio Nottingham. The station's build-up to Thursday's game will be available on BBC Sounds here from 16:00.

And subscribe to the Shut Up And Show More Football podcast on BBC Sounds.

Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League game against Midtjylland at MCH Arena (kick-off 17:45 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Forest have no new injuries and Chris Wood completed the warm-up alongside his team-mates in Denmark. Pereira said: "I don't want to push him, but I think he will be able to help us in the last few games [of the season]. He is important for the group; he is important because he has quality. He scores goals, and he has the personality to help us."

• Pereira also confirmed that Stefan Ortega is in contention to start tomorrow's second leg after being added to the European squad.

• The Garibaldis boss touched on the "balance" and "rotation" of the team in order to keep his side mentally and physically fresh as they sit one place above the relegation zone in the Premier League. "We are in a moment that I must try to balance the team. Try to compete in both competitions. I cannot forget the next game in the Premier League [against Tottenham] because it is an important game for us," said Pereira.

• On facing Midtjylland with a depleted squad: "We need to see the team united. Everyone in condition to help. We don't have a big squad – it means that it is important tomorrow that we feel like we are together in this game to try to get a result to qualify."

• Due to Forest's schedule, Pereira says it is "difficult to prepare the team" but understands that "pressure is part of our job" as Forest aim to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Europa League and steer clear of the relegation zone.

• On their opponents: "Midtjylland is a strong team and very physical. We create a lot of chances to win the game [in the first leg], and we believe that we have the quality to play here and win the game."

Hit play below to hear a six-minute Pereira interview with BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray or listen on BBC Sounds here

Got a question about Forest? Get in touch here and we'll put it to our experts

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views about whether Nottingham Forest may be better off without European football as they fight for survival in the Premier League.

Here are some of your comments:

Andrew: Typing this on a bus from Billund airport. It's a crying shame that we'll most likely see a total second-string tomorrow night and thus most likely elimination from a European competition we were all so desperate for this time last year. Poor recruitment and even more so poor releasing of players has hindered us completely this season. Think of the players last season who we let go. Just called up for Brazil Danilo, Toffolo, Jota Silva. All better players than what we recruited. Clubs chase this European dream, then throw it away the following season because of domestic woes.

Dave: If you offered me Forest losing in Europe but beating Spurs, I'd snatch your hand off. Anyone else remember Wigan winning the FA Cup but getting relegated from the PL? Didn't do them much good.

Gary: With regret, I have to say that we would be better off if we are knocked out of the Europa League. I hate saying this because it was the most exciting thing about this season in August. But we have had opportunities to pull away from the relegation zone but not taken them due to poor finishing and poor decision making in the final third. If we don't put everything we have into the last 8 games of the PL we are in serious danger of going down. I also don't think we would win the Europa League, even if we get past Midtjylland because we aren't playing well enough.

Mark: We absolutely haven't been able to handle European football and the Premier League. We have failed in nearly all of our Sunday fixtures after a Europa League match. The recruitment last summer was simply not good enough. Too many untried players from lesser leagues and that has cost us dearly. We are not any stronger in depth than last season. Going out now is likely but in my opinion it's too late now.

Mick: Send the kids. Sunday is far more important!

Diana: We have not had the depth of squad all season to cope with the demands of both. Add to that the disastrous additions made by Edu. The Premier League is far more important, so the sooner we are out of Europe the better.

David Jackson
BBC Radio Nottingham reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest supporters heading to Denmark today are asking themselves a difficult question.

After waiting 30 years to see their team return to European competition, they're now asking if they'd be better off without it.

Vitor Pereira has already told BBC Radio Nottingham that he will have to make changes to his team for the second leg at Midtjylland to allow key members of his squad to rest before the potentially pivotal Premier League match at Spurs on Sunday.

So, despite the excitement of last season and the joy of actually qualifying for Europe, would exiting the Europa League earlier than hoped actually be the best thing for them?

The premise of the question of course relies on the idea that they wouldn't be able to stay up AND go all the way in the Europa League. Well, the evidence of this season backs that up.

So, which is your preference? Throw everything at the Europa League and maybe win a trophy? Or prioritise the league and hopefully ensure next year in the top flight?

We'll be discussing that question, and others, on BBC Radio Nottingham on Wednesday in a special programme from the MCH Arena in Herning.

So, Forest fans, what do you think? Is exiting the Europa League the best option? Would exiting now help your chances of survival?

Get in touch with your views here

Listen to full commentary on BBC Radio Nottingham as Forest face Midtjylland (not available online), and In The Game every weeknight from 18:00, on BBC Radio Nottingham.

And subscribe to the Shut Up And Show More Football podcast on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

With Opta's supercomputer predictions suggesting it could be four teams fighting to avoid one relegation spot as we head into the final eight games of the season, we asked you who you think will be the one to go down (with Burnley and Wolves).

At the time of writing, Nottingham Forest - who Opta say have a 32% chance of finishing 18th - are the ones fans think are mostly likely to be in the Championship next season.

Here is a breakdown of the results so far:

• Leeds United - 8%

• Tottenham - 30%

• Nottingham Forest - 45%

• West Ham - 17%

Add your selection here

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

There's often a defining match, week or month in a season. A match - or series of games - that sets a course for success or failure. A time when it becomes clear what path a club will follow.

At the moment, however, it seems that any match, week or month could be pivotal for Nottingham Forest. Is this month, or week, the one that defines our season? You could argue that Sunday's point against Fulham dragged us out of the relegation places - albeit on goal difference - and Thursday's Europa League second leg against Midtjylland and Sunday's clash with Tottenham Hotspur will chart our course.

But we may well find ourselves at this juncture again very soon. Will there be a Europa League quarter-final to come? Will there be another chance for Premier League redemption? Not every game will be a 'must win' but there are times when it feels that way.

As grim as this relegation battle is, there are still three - maybe four - clubs fighting to stay up. And it's going to drag. Make no mistake, we could be facing another six or seven weeks of season-defining moments. Making predictions, deciding our fate and writing us off is still all in the future - because it's impossible to call.

There is evidently fear among the players. You can sense the trepidation. In every misplaced pass, every hesitant moment, every 50-50 decision. We all know the quality of this squad, but lack of confidence is precisely why we're where we are. Last season we had confidence in abundance - we knew we could win games.

The fine margins of recent weeks may well continue - the shots hitting the crossbar, the offside decisions, the whims of the referee. Maybe those moments will define our season? Or maybe we'll break the spell and start finishing our endless chances? If the goals come, the confidence might return.

It's never over until it's over. By Sunday we might feel a corner has been turned. Perhaps that corner is yet to come. Maybe it never comes. But it might be that the defining moment is only obvious long after the event.

Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club, external

Manchester United are set to face competition for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, 23, with Bayern Munich ready to step up their interest in the England international. (Mail + - subscription required), external

Juventus are listening to offers for Jonathan David, 26, with West Ham, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest all expressing an interest in the Canada striker in the past. (Tuttosport - in Italian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

It is the business end of the season and the race to stay in the Premier League is getting more tense.

With Opta giving Burnley and Wolves just a 0.35% and 0.07% chance of survival respectively and Crystal Palace a 0.08% chance of going down, it looks like it is a fight between four teams to avoid the remaining relegation spot.

Just three points separate West Ham in 18th and Leeds in 15th, with only goal difference currently keeping the Hammers in the drop zone.

Opta's supercomputer has been running the scenarios and providing the percentage chance of Leeds, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest and West Ham finishing in 18th place.

At 6.36%, Leeds are currently predicted to have the best chance of staying in the top flight in their first season back, while bottom-of-the-form-table Tottenham - who are just one point ahead Forest and West Ham - have been given a 13.03% likelihood of being in that third relegation spot come the end of the campaign.

Things look a bit more worrying for Vitor Pereira's Forest and Nuno Espirito Santo's West Ham with a 32.85% and 45% chance respectively.

As Spurs and Forest face each other in a crucial match this Sunday, the picture could yet look a whole lot different heading into the international break next week.

Do you agree with the supercomputer? Who do you think of those four teams is most likely to go down?

Make your choice here

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

Here are some of your comments:

Nottingham Forest fans

Steve: Another weekend where we failed to capitalise on other results. It's going to be a scrap to the final day. VAR is killing football- the joy of that goal wiped out. Onto Denmark for what I hope isn't our last EL game but we all know Spurs is the bigger game.

Luke: At this point in the season we are what we are. A team who plays well but struggles to score, and therefore won't win often. That's what we were today. You can still look at this performance and use it to suggest we'll pick up 8-10 points over the last 8 games. But our chances to do so are diminishing. Next week is huge.

Marc: Another dismal and disappointing result. Completely devoid of creativity and intensity. No real desire to make something happen to in the final few minutes. Must play the back up players in Europa League as for some reason our players have a lack of energy to play at tempo that is going to challenge opponents for 90 minutes despite having no domestic cup run. Another uninspired managerial appointment.

David: We have to find our goal scorers and asap. We are playing with fire, and we all know what's going to happen. Oh, and VAR has to go!

Fulham fans

Gerry: Typical mid season mediocrity from Fulham. Another season that promised much but that again has petered out into dull, predictable football.

Malcolm: Much better performance all round, more effort and a solid line up.

Tim: Classic Fulham going into our shells around March, Marco ruined all momentum with silly changes against West Ham and Southampton, and now we're suffering with another lacklustre performance.

Phil: Poor. Not sharp enough. Have the players booked their summer holidays already?

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Micah Richards join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 0-0 Leeds

• Manchester United 3-1 Aston Villa

• Nottingham Forest 0-0 Fulham

• Liverpool 1-1 Tottenham

Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira, speaking to Sky Sports after their goalless draw with Fulham: "Very happy with my players, we gave everything on the pitch. Happy with our supporters, they tried to help us until the end. The spirit of the team and the players from the bench. This is not a speed race, this is a marathon until the end. This was a chance to get the three points but the next game is another chance.

"We needed to refresh the team to put more energy in. They are players who are strong one-on-one. Dan Ndoye is fast in the space and Taiwo was fantastic. This is the spirit I want to see in my players.

"I like wingers one against one. They are players who can be danger players. Morgan Gibbs-White is more of a player to play inside and play between the lines. They have different skills.

"We played three days ago, raining, heavy pitch and today they try everything to get three points. The result is difficult to control but we can control what we do on the pitch or we can show the spirit to win the game. I am happy with them.

"It will be tough until the end. The decision will be at the end I think. I hope we can get points to escape the relegation zone. Tottenham, West Ham, and Leeds are good teams."

You can also listen to Pereira speak to Radio Nottingham on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Nottingham Forest have now failed to win any of their last seven Premier League home matches (D4 L3) since a 3-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur in December 2025 under Sean Dyche. This is their longest run without a victory at the City Ground in the top flight since a run of 16 between September 1998 and April 1999, in a season in which they were ultimately relegated.

Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, PA Media

Before this round of Premier League fixtures, Nottingham Forest were ranked in the top 10 for attempts on target, but only Wolves (22) had scored fewer than their tally of 28.

Despite an improved second-half display in the 0-0 draw against Fulham, they drew a blank for the 14th time in 30 league outings this term.

They had been limited to long-range efforts in the first half, with Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno comfortably dealing with shots from outside the box by Morgan Gibbs-White and Nicolas Dominguez.

The introductions of Dan Ndoye and Omari Hutchinson at half-time had the desired positive impact and, on the balance of play after the break, probably should have taken all three points.

The two offside decisions against Ndoye - which could have resulted in a penalty and a goal for Forest - were very close calls, while Ola Aina's superb attempt that hit the crossbar was only a couple of inches off target.

Forest are now seven games without a Premier League win and their next league opponents are Tottenham on 22 March, in what could prove to be a critical game for both sides' survival hopes.

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

What did you make of Fulham's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Nottingham Forest make three changes from the side that lost in the Europa League to Midtjylland on Thursday - Neco Williams, Nikola Milenkovic and Ibrahim Sangare replace Morato, Jair Cunha and Omari Hutchinson.

Forest XI: Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams, Sangare, Anderson, Dominguez, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Jesus.

Subs: Gunn, Morato, Awoniyi, Ndoye, Hutchinson, Yates, McAtee, Netz, Bakwa.

There are nine changes to the Fulham starting XI that was knocked out of the FA Cup last weekend by Southampton. Joachim Andersen and Oscar Bobb are the two players to keep their places.

Fulham XI: Leno, Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson, Iwobi, Berge, Wilson, King, Bobb, Jimenez.

Subs: Lecomte, Reed, Muniz, Cairney, Chukwueze, Lukic, Castagne, Sessegnon, Diop

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

• Crystal Palace v Leeds - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Man Utd v Aston Villa - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Nottingham Forest v Fulham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Liverpool v Tottenham (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-offs 14:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Crystal Palace v Leeds" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Spurs", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

This is a huge game for Nottingham Forest.

They got a good draw against Manchester City last time out, but what they need is a win - I know I keep pointing this out, but Forest boss Vitor Pereira still hasn't won a Premier League game this season, after 11 attempts with them and Wolves.

This is a great chance for Forest to put that right, but I don't think they will take it.

You just don't know what you are going to get from Fulham but they can play with a bit of freedom here.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest take on a Fulham side seeking to avoid a third straight defeat. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Sunday's match (14:00 GMT).

Anderson key to Forest's survival hopes

Nottingham Forest remain winless under Vitor Pereira following Thursday's 1-0 defeat by Midtjylland. The Reds spurned a host of chances against the Danes, failing to build on the momentum from last week's 2-2 draw at Manchester City, which gave them their first league point under the new head coach.

Pereira said his team showed "lots of personality" in twice hitting back from a goal down against City and praised his players for keeping their shape and "waiting for the right moments to hurt" Pep Guardiola's men.

Forest have lacked cutting edge this season, with their tally of 28 goals the second lowest in the top flight. Last year's top scorer, Chris Wood, has missed most of the campaign with a knee injury and while his replacement, Igor Jesus, has shown promise in the cups, he has scored just twice in the league.

Goals will, therefore, need to come from elsewhere, and it was Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson who stepped up at Etihad Stadium.

Anderson has not been a regular goalscorer for Forest, netting four times in 66 Premier League appearances for the club, but he has earned plaudits for his all-round game, particularly his crisp passing. He has made 303 line-breaking passes – forward balls that bypass the opposition's midfield or defensive line to find a team-mate in space. That is more than any other midfielder in the Premier League this season.

Fulham look to rebound against favourite opposition

After back-to-back home defeats by West Ham and Southampton, Fulham need a swift response to stop their season petering out. That was their fate last year, when a disappointing FA Cup loss to Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage was followed by six losses in their final nine league games, scuppering any hopes of challenging for Europe.

Head coach Marco Silva admitted his side simply were not good enough in Sunday's cup exit to Championship side Southampton and had to defend his decision to make nine changes to the starting line-up.

The good news for Fulham is key man Harry Wilson could return after missing the previous two games, while the Whites can also take heart from their excellent record in this fixture. The Cottagers have won six of the seven Premier League meetings between the sides, including a 1-0 victory when they met on 22 December.

Raul Jimenez scored the winner from the penalty spot on that occasion and has regularly been a thorn in Forest's side. The Mexican has registered four goals and an assist in four previous appearances against Sunday's opponents.

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

In the battle at the bottom, Wolves and Burnley are all but down barring a footballing miracle, which leaves one spot that is likely to be filled by one of Leeds, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest and West Ham.

With the most points on the board already, Leeds have the kindest run-in on paper, with just one game against a side from the top six (Manchester United on 13 April) and home games against both of the bottom two.

Meanwhile, it would seem like West Ham are the most likely to be relegated as not only do they currently sit in the bottom three, they also have the toughest run-in of the four sides.

However, the reason why Tottenham and Nottingham Forest fans have reason to be nervous is that the Hammers' performances have improved considerably under Nuno Espirito Santo's guidance in recent weeks.

Only four Premier League teams have taken more points from their past eight games than the east Londoners (14) and only four teams have a higher expected goal difference in that time, suggesting the upturn has not been down to luck.

Read more here

The team at BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast have been digging into the shooting stats for Forest this season.

Commentator Colin Fray has pointed to some alarming statistics and improving them could prove critical in the fight to stay in the Premier League.

Forest have had 89 shots at goal in their last five home Premier League games, scoring once.

Fray explained: "Do you count that as a chance? Most stats people would say no - there's a shot and a chance. The chance number will always be lower.

"But I think it always highlights the fact Forest are not converting opportunities in the game into chances.

"Yes it's about missing shots and chances if they are creating them but it's also about the chance to create more.

"The stats show where the problems have been this season. They have had a lot of problems on and off the pitch.

"They have 13 home goals in 14 Premier League games. Only one in the last five - the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace. Within those five, 89 shots on goal, 19 of which on target. That's 70 off target across those five games and only one goal scored.

"One of the alarming stats - 13 home goals is the lowest in the league. With away goals added - 28 in total - it's the second lowest in the league.

"Even more alarming, of the 13 goals they have at home this season, nine have come in three games. Which means that across the other 11, they have only scored four. From 14 games, they have returned eight blanks. There are all sorts of stats that show where some of Forest's problems have been this season."

Listen to the podcast below or on BBC Sounds here

You can listen to build up and live commentary from BBC Radio Nottingham from 13:00 GMT on 103.8 and 95.5fm, DAB and BBC Sounds.

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