Opta supercomputer has just predicted where Nottingham Forest will finish in the Premier League

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The race for the Champions League continues to hot up for Nottingham Forest, with Sunday’s clash with Newcastle United a key checkpoint in the run-in.

Forest’s remarkable efforts to cling onto a top four position were eased by the news that the Premier League may receive a fifth Champions League place, but Nuno Espirito Santo will be wise enough to not rest on his laurels.

Especially after Forest’s defeat against Fulham last Saturday gave a harsh reminder to the squad that their incredible work can come undone in an instant.

Less of an instant and more of a fortnight, Forest’s next three fixtures put them up against three other Champions League contenders, all of which who have bested Espirito Santo’s side already this season.

Whilst Evangelos Marinakis refused to listen to offers for Murillo in an attempt to help Forest keep hold of their lofty position, Reds fans will know that if these next three fixtures go wrong, the psychological impact on the Forest squad could cast major doubts on the Champions League dream.

The sheer fact these conversations can be had is evidence enough that Forest cannot be ruled out of the race until the whistle blows on the final day, though, with the latest supercomputer prediction for the final Premier League table emphasising that.

Nottingham Forest given Champions League boost in supercomputer prediction

Espirito Santo won’t discuss Forest’s top four chances but they are certainly hard to ignore with the season well into its second act.

With 25 games now played, the data set on each Premier League team is also rather substantial, leading to Opta publishing their latest predictions for the final table standings.

Unsurprisingly, Liverpool are expected to romp home with the title but movement is predicted for Forest, not enough to spoil the Champions League party, though.

Forest are predicted to slip behind Manchester City into fourth place, which will remain a strong enough finish to bring Europe’s elite club competition back to the City Ground for the first time since 1980, following on from Brian Clough’s historic back-to-back European Cup wins.

However, the margin between Forest and their closest rivals for the position in Chelsea and Bournemouth is too small to take too much comfort, especially when considering the fixtures on the final day of the season.

Nottingham Forest face Champions League final day showdown with Chelsea

In a cruel twist of fate, Forest’s battle with Chelsea for fourth spot will go right to the wire, when the two sides face off on the final day.

Bournemouth dispatched Forest 5-0 in January so the two sides won’t meet again in the league, so it’s just the Chelsea game left for Espirito Santo to control his side’s fate.

In October, Forest secured an away draw against Chelsea thanks to a Chris Wood goal, in a game that saw James Ward-Prowse sent off for the visitors.

Based on the Opta predictions, a similar result would likely be enough for Forest to remain in the top four but Espirito Santo will hope to rely less on goalkeeper Matz Sels in the May fixture.

Making seven saves, Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez hailed Sels’ display in October as the London giants pushed hard to win the game in their early pursuit of the Champions League positions, but Forest could well go into the clash with the advantage if the supercomputer is to be believed.