Nottingham Forest achieved one of the most remarkable feats in football history: winning back-to-back European Cups shortly after promotion. Here's who they are and how to read their odds.
Who Nottingham Forest are
City and stadium
Forest were founded in 1865, making them one of the oldest professional clubs in the world. They've played at the City Ground on the banks of the River Trent since 1898. Remarkably, Notts County's Meadow Lane sits just across the river, making them two of the closest professional grounds in England.
Famous eras
- The Clough miracle: under manager Brian Clough and assistant Peter Taylor, Forest won promotion in 1977, then won the league title in 1977-78 as a newly promoted side. They followed with the European Cup in 1979 and 1980.
- Cup success: Forest won several League Cups under Clough in the late 1970s and late 1980s.
- Decline and return: after relegation from the Premier League in 1999, Forest spent over two decades outside the top flight before winning promotion back in 2022.
Rivalries
The East Midlands derby against Derby County is Forest's main rivalry, with extra edge because Clough managed both clubs. Leicester City and Notts County are other local rivals.
How to read odds on Forest matches
Reading the 1X2 market
Forest away at a top side:
- Home: 1.45 (69.0%)
- Draw: 4.75 (21.1%)
- Forest: 7.00 (14.3%)
- Total: 104.4%
Fair: about 66%, 20% and 14%.
Counterattacking underdogs
Teams that defend deep and attack quickly on the break can frustrate stronger sides. These teams may win fewer matches than favourites but can produce more draws and occasional upsets. The underdog price and handicap lines are worth comparing.
Worked example: underdog moneyline
Forest at 7.00 away to a top side. Stake 20.
- Win: profit 120
- Implied: 14.3%; fair after margin: about 13.7%.
If you estimate 16%:
- EV = 0.16 × 120 − 0.84 × 20 = 19.2 − 16.8 = +2.4
At 12%:
- EV = 0.12 × 120 − 0.88 × 20 = 14.4 − 17.6 = -3.2
Long-shot prices are very sensitive to small changes in your estimate. See upsets and underdogs.
The City Ground
The City Ground has a traditional, close-to-the-pitch feel, and Forest's crowd is known for being loud. Home advantage is priced in. See home-field advantage.
Newly promoted dynamics
Clubs that have recently been promoted often have big squad changes and adapt during the season. Early-season prices may rely on limited top-flight information. See power ratings.
Draws and low-scoring games
Counterattacking teams that defend in numbers often play low-scoring matches. Under 2.5 goals and the draw can both be relevant. If a Forest match is priced at under 2.5 at 1.75 (57.1%), ask whether both teams' styles support a low-scoring game. Matches between two cautious sides often have shorter under prices for a reason. See over/under totals.
Crowd and travel
Forest's traveling support is large and loud, and the City Ground's closeness to the pitch adds to the atmosphere. Both are part of the home advantage that the market already includes.
What to check before picking Forest matches
- Team news and injuries.
- Tactical approach: deep defence and counterattack?
- Home vs away splits.
- Opponent's fixture load, such as European matches.
- Underdog price vs handicap.
- The price. See value betting.
Futures and season-long markets
For clubs fighting to establish themselves, relegation and "top half" markets may be more relevant than title odds. If Forest are 5.00 to be relegated, the implied chance is 20%. See championship odds explained.
Practice with play money
Forest matches are a great way to practice underdog pricing. On MockSport you can make free play-money picks on Forest matches and see how often counterattacking underdogs produce draws or upsets. Visit the odds page.
FAQ
How many European Cups have Nottingham Forest won?
Two, in 1979 and 1980, under Brian Clough.
What was special about Forest's 1977-78 season?
They won the league title in their first season after promotion, a rare achievement in English football.
Who are Forest's rivals?
Derby County in the East Midlands derby, plus Leicester City and Notts County.