In partnership with
Nottingham Forest host Leeds United at The City Ground on Saturday, August 22, 9a CST.
In comes Oliver Glasner from Palace to manager Forest. Is this match a must win at home? You might laugh, but last season Forest went through FOUR gaffers. Glasner took Palace to new heights but seemed like he had a falling out with management.
Both Forest and Leeds will be looking to get a leg up on the season narrative, to stay out of the relegation race and get back into the race for Europe.
2025/26 Finish - 16th Place
48 - Over/under projected points
Sleeping giants. NF is a medium sized club in the midlands who have won cups and been generally good and very consistent having spent 59 seasons in the top league, 58 in level 2 and only 5 in level 3. However, it was a long dry spell for The Reds prior to the last three seasons having been out of the PL since 1999.
The fan base is great, and home matches at City Ground are considered one of the best game day experiences you can have. If things start to click, this club has the chance to contend for Top 10 year in and year out.
Last season the club went through FOUR managers, which is kind of par for the course of owner Marinakis. Enter Oliver Glasner who decided to leave Crystal Palace after leading them to two of their best ever seasons. That might tell you how much he wanted out of Palace to come to a place where managers seem to not last.
This club has a rich history, and Marinakis has shown he will spend. He expects to make Europe and win. Glasner is a proven winner, has a strong talented core and significant transfer funds available. Expect Forest to go back to challenging for top 10 this season, or Glasner will be out before week 10.
The Club
Located in West Bridgeford suburb of Nottingham (East Midlands)
City Ground, 30,000 capacity
Rough estimates
$290M Annual Revenue
$260M Player Payroll (Big Investments)
History on the Pitch
1 Title in 1978
2 FA Cups
2 Europe Cups
Ownership
Evangelos Marinakis earned a his $3B+ in Shipping and is the Founder of Capital Maritime & Trading, Greece. Also owns Greek club Olympiacos.
In 2018, Marinakis was charged with drug trafficking as one of his ships was found with over 2 tons of heroin worth $70M. NFFC Chairman, Nicholas Randall wrote an open letter to supporters reaffirming his support of Marinakis. In 2021 it was determined there was no evidence implicating Marinakis.
Marinakis is not one to befriend his managers. In 2025 he sacked 2 managers in the first 8 matches of the season. He also owns Olympiakos (Greece) since 2011, he has sacked 24 managers in 15 years.
Sponsorship
Kit: Adidas
Shirt: TBD
Sleeve: TBD
Home Kit
Away Kit
Biggest Rival - Millwall
Notts County & Forest stadiums are the two closest clubs in all of England, 300 yards. While they are a rival, Forest has been at least 1 league ahead of Notts since 1995.
The East Midlands Derby is contested between Derby County & Forest. In 109 matches Forest has 43W 37L 29D.
Leicester City & Sheffield United are also rivals given their location in the East Midlands.
The Culture
Forest has won titles (but not since the 1970s), have a big fanbase, and great tradition. It's just been out of the spotlight stuck in The Championship. Much of the personality of the club is tied to Brian Clough, “the spiky, provocative and great self-aggrandizer” whose personality put a mark on English Football. Clough brought a brash style for close to 20 years, with success. Forest fans definitely have a “preferred-style” of play - to play beautiful soccer - described by Clough as “aiming for utopia”. Current manager Steve Cooper’s team plays this way, out of the back with precision passing and quick build ups.
The fans have been unwavering and hope this third season back in the PL is not a launching pad. This slogan on a 40-yard banner hung by supporters on the first level grandstand sums up a Forest fan - “Nottingham Forest. No matter what. We’ll be behind you. And will never stop.”
Word Association
Reds, City Ground, Brian Clough, Tricky Trees, Sleeping Giant, Yo-yo club, Proud, Loyal, Enduring, Garibaldi Reds.
Garibaldi Red
At the founding of the club in 1865, the decision was made to honor Giuseppe Garibaldi, an Italian general who led the Red Coats Freedom Fighters in battle and was populate in England at the time. Forest was the first club to officially wear red.
Arsenal’s red kits are a result of Forest who donated red kits to them at the founding of their club.
Supporters You May Recognize
Lee Westwood
Joe Dempsie
Many UK celebrities
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem
Song
Made famous by Paul McCartney and Wings, the song was released in 1977 and adopted by Forest fans in 1978 when they won the top league title.
“City Ground, Oh mist rolling in from the Trent, My desire is always to be here, Oh City Ground.
Far have I travelled and much have I seen Goodison, Anfield are places I've been. Maine Road, Old Trafford still echo to the sound, Of the boys in the red from the City Ground.”
Game Day Pub Guide
Tent Bridge Inn
Fan Sites
Official X
@NFFC
High Follows on X
@NFFC_Live (21k)
@NFFCNA (3k)
@Forest_Review (22k)
@Official_NFSC (6k)
@ForestWatch_ (9k)
The Team
The Gaffer
Oliver Glasner (Austria), 50yo
Glasner’s playing career was all in Austria over 16 years that ended with a head injury that required him to stop playing.
He began coaching in Austria and moved to Germany where he had success with Wolfsburg and Frankfurt.
Glasner replaced CP icon Roy Hodgson in February 2024 and led Palace to two of their best seasons BUT he was not happy with ownership and decided to leave.
ODDS
To Win League +50,000
Top 4 +3,300
To Be Relegated +700
Roster Notes
Full Roster click link
Americans on the Roster
Tyler Bindon
Roster
Morgan Gibbs-White
Murillo (yes, one name, Brazilian)
Dan Ndoye
Callum Hudson-Odoi
Omari Hutchinson
Chris Wood
Nikola Milenkovic
Neco Williams
Dilane Bakwa
Igor Jesus
Arnaud Kalimuendo
Ibrahim Sangare
James McAtee
Nicolas Dominguez
Xaver Schlager
Ryan Yates
Goalkeeper
Matz Sels - Bottom 10 Keeper in PL.
City Ground
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