Could Nottingham Forest, two-time European Cup winners in 1979 and 1980, make an unthinkable return to Europe’s elite competition next season? A supercomputer prediction model has something interesting to say about it.
Forest have intensified their push to secure a Champions League spot this season after smashing seven past Brighton at the weekend. They are currently four points clear of Chelsea in fourth and seven clear of Manchester City, who sit in fifth.
It has been over a year since Nuno Espirito Santo took over at Forest, steering them clear of relegation, and the team has defied expectations this season. In fact, their silence on deadline day hinted at a feeling that there was no need to strengthen this winter.
And a supercomputer run by CasinoHawks has predicted a European return for Forest after they were tipped be so many to go down before the season started.
European dream for Nottingham Forest
The team of data scientists behind the supercomputer have claimed that it is “a probability model based on a team’s current strength (based on factors such as league position and form) and betting market odds.”
All these factors have combined to predict a return of European football to the City Ground next season. The supercomputer backs Liverpool to finish top with 96 points – ten-points clear of runners-up Arsenal. And it surprisingly backs Forest to finish third ahead of Pep Guardiola ’s City side.
It has predicted a scenario where Forest will be in the Champions League for the first time having previously scaled to the top of the European mountain when Brian Clough was at the club. It will be a dream scenario for Forest who last played in the top tier European competition back in 1981.
Bournemouth are predicted to finish in fifth after a stellar year. Newcastle and Chelsea take the final European spots, at sixth and seventh place – swapping positions from the 2023/24 season.
Notably, Manchester United are projected for a historic low at 12th place with new manager Ruben Amorim failing to bring any change in fortunes. It would be the Red Devils’ worst standing in the Premier League record books and their worst performance since the 1989/90 season under Sir Alex Feguson, where they finished 13th.
Plagued by injuries, Spurs under Ange Postecoglou have been put down to end their season at a shocking 16th spot, just above the relegation zone.
Leicester under Ruud van Nistelrooy are predicted to escape relegation and eventually enjoy a six-point cushion over Wolves, who finish 18th. Newly-promoted Ipswich and Southampton make immediate returns to the Championship.
Predicted final 2024/25 Premier League
1. Liverpool – 96 points (+66)
2. Arsenal – 86 points (+38)
3. Nottingham Forest – 74 points (+16)
4. Manchester City – 73 points (+35)
5. Bournemouth – 72 points (+30)
6. Newcastle United – 68 points (+19)
7. Chelsea – 64 points (+21)
8. Fulham – 61 points (+9)
9. Aston Villa – 61 points (+6)
10. Brentford – 50 points (+1)
11. Brighton & Hove Albion – 48 points (-9)
12. Manchester United – 47 points (-7)
13. Crystal Palace – 43 points (-11)
14. West Ham United – 43 points (-25)
15. Everton – 41 points (+14)
16. Tottenham Hotspur – 40 points (+4)
17. Leicester City – 30 points (-39)
18. Wolverhampton Wanderers – 24 points (-37)
19. Ipswich Town – 23 points (-48)
20. Southampton – 18 points (-55)
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