It’s been the worst-kept secret in football but Nottingham Forest might just have a spring in their step this morning.
The Champions League is where every football club wants to be.
Forest, however, won’t have even dreamed of this back in August, but with just seven games remaining, the Reds are on course for a mindblowing finale.
Nuno Espirito Santo has been hailed by Jamie Redknapp, and he’s worked wonders with the squad he has at his disposal.
Craig Bellamy has made his Champions League prediction on Forest and some positive news on the whole situation has emerged this morning.
- READ MORE: Joe Cole makes Nottingham Forest claim
Nottingham Forest get major Champions League boost from UEFA
Forest fans don’t have too much love for Arsenal but they might just have a little bit more warmth towards the Gunners this morning.
Mikel Arteta’s team have become somewhat whinge-merchants this season after another failed title bid has gone up in smoke.
Much like many of the other stereotypical big six clubs, Arsenal feel very hard done by over a number of officiating decisions during 2024/25.
However, a win in the Champions League could still be on the cards and last night’s 3-0 win has helped the Premier League.
BBC Sport confirms that the Premier League will now definitely receive five spots for the Champions League next season after Arsenal beat Real Madrid 3-0.
Two extra spots are being awarded to countries based on their training in UEFA’s coefficient table.
Now, with Forest in third place, they know that they can actually drop as low as fifth and still qualify for the Champions League next season.
When Forest last played Champions League football
Well, being technical, Forest haven’t played Champions League football, but they did play in the European Cup, which is essentially the same competition.
Forest stunned Europe in 1979 and 1980 by lifting the trophy, beating Malmö in the 1979 final and Hamburg 12 months later.
The Reds would dearly love to get back to that stage and it would be exciting and daunting in equal measure.
Forest’s last match in the European Cup came in the 1980/81 campaign when the Reds were dumped out in the first round as the holders!
CSKA Sofia did a job on Forest in both legs and the Reds haven’t been back in the competition since those two 1-0 defeats left Brian Clough shocked.
The riches on offer in the 2025/25 edition of the competition are enough to make the eyes water and hopefully having five places on offer can really help the Reds.
Receive a digest of our best Nottingham Forest content each week direct to your mailbox
