Gary Lineker shares what would need to happen for Nottingham Forest not to qualify for the Champions League

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Nottingham Forest are in the midst of a fierce battle to claim a place in the Champions League next season.

It’s a remarkable turnaround from 12 months ago when some Forest fans anticipated Luton might catch the Reds and send the club back to the EFL.

Nuno Espirito Santo has worked wonders this season and with seven games remaining, Forest remain in third place – a position the team has occupied since December 29th.

Gary Lineker had already called himself an idiot for predicting that Forest would get relegated – with Leicester staying up – this season.

Now, the Match of the Day stalwart has made another prediction that should appease the Forest fan base a little bit more.

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Gary Lineker makes Champions League prediction about Forest

The Reds did get beaten by Aston Villa on Saturday, but a 2-1 reversal hasn’t done too much damage to the campaign yet.

Forest will probably get in the Champions League just by winning their four remaining home games, starting with Everton at the City Ground this weekend.

Lineker actually believes Forest are home and hosed already when it comes to the top five – unless something very bizarre happens.

He told The Rest is Football: “Talking about tight for the Champions League spots.

“I suppose you’d say Liverpool, obviously. They’re going to win the league. Arsenal is almost certainly second, and Forest is most probably third unless they capitulate.”

Forest final seven fixtures extremely favourable

Rewind 12 months ago and Forest arguably had the worst remaining fixtures of the sides in the midst of a relegation battle.

However, the Reds came through those games and it proved to be business as usual for Espirito Santo in the quest to survive.

Now, the remit is very different but things do look to be working in favour of Forest.

Of the final seven games of 2024/25, four of them come on home soil against teams that, with the greatest of respect to them, have very little to play for.

The Reds have come this far and won’t want to relinquish a Champions League opportunity at the final hurdle.

Hopefully, a big win can be secured against Everton and that capitulation that Lineker has mentioned can be averted.