As Nottingham Forest moves through its pre-season, the coming weeks will offer a clearer view of Oliver Glasner's tactical blueprint and player integration. Fans and analysts will watch closely for signs of attacking fluidity, defensive solidity, and the impact of new signings like Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha. The true test, however, will arrive with the opening Premier League fixtures, where the intensity and stakes are dramatically higher than in friendly matches. The focus will be on whether Forest can translate their training ground work into competitive results, particularly in terms of goal-scoring, which appears to be a concern from the projected pre-season outcomes.
Image: courtesy of Sky sports
Nottingham Forest's Mixed Pre-Season Outlook: What Glasner's Squad Faces in the Premier League
Nottingham Forest officially began their pre-season preparations on July 18, 2026, with a match against Notts County. However, reports outlining the full pre-season schedule suggest a challenging campaign for Oliver Glasner's squad, with a projected record of five draws and two losses across seven friendlies. This mixed bag of results, featuring several goalless encounters, has raised questions about the team's readiness for the 2026/27 Premier League season and Glasner's stated aim of battling for a top-half finish.
Outlook
Background
Nottingham Forest's 2026/27 pre-season officially kicked off on July 18, 2026, with an initial fixture against Notts County. This marks the beginning of a crucial period for manager Oliver Glasner, who has publicly stated his ambition for the club to push for a top-half position in the Premier League.
However, a comprehensive outlook on Forest's full pre-season campaign, as detailed in various reports, suggests a challenging set of results. The team is projected to have played seven friendly matches, concluding with a record of five draws and two losses. This includes notable fixtures such as a 0-0 draw against Estoril Praia on July 30, a 1-0 loss to Birmingham City on August 2, another 0-0 result against Fiorentina on August 5, and a final 0-0 draw against Al Qadsiah on August 9. These projected outcomes indicate a struggle for goals and decisive victories in their preparations.
Beyond the pitch, Sky Sports has confirmed its plans to broadcast 215 Premier League games during the 2026/27 season, ensuring wide coverage of Forest's upcoming campaign. The club has also seen new players, striker Igor Jesus and defender Jair Cunha, arrive from Brazilian side Botafogo. Their involvement in the Club World Cup meant they were late additions to the squad, but they are expected to feature in upcoming pre-season games, potentially making their debut in Portugal.
Precedents
Pre-season results are notoriously unreliable as indicators of a team's performance once the competitive league season begins. Historically, many clubs have endured poor friendly records only to start the Premier League strongly, and vice-versa. Managers often use these games primarily for fitness building, tactical experimentation, and integrating new players, rather than chasing victories. The emphasis is on avoiding injuries, testing different formations, and giving minutes to the entire squad.
However, a consistent lack of goals or an inability to close out games, even in friendlies, can sometimes highlight underlying issues that persist into the regular season. For a manager like Oliver Glasner, who arrived mid-season and is now undertaking his first full pre-season with the club, these weeks are vital for imprinting his philosophy. The projected prevalence of draws, particularly goalless ones, could suggest either a strong defensive foundation or a struggle to create and convert chances. Past seasons have shown that teams lacking an attacking edge in pre-season can find themselves in difficult positions early in the league campaign, especially when facing stronger, more organized Premier League defenses.
Nottingham Forest's pre-season performance matters not just for immediate fan sentiment, but for setting the tone for their Premier League ambitions. Oliver Glasner's goal of a top-half finish is ambitious, and a pre-season marked by a lack of wins, even if for tactical reasons, could impact squad confidence and external expectations.
For Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, these early reports offer crucial, if incomplete, insights. Players who perform well, either through goal contributions or consistently high minutes, become early targets. Conversely, those struggling for form or fitness in friendlies might be avoided. The integration of new signings like Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha is also a key factor. How quickly they adapt and contribute in pre-season could determine their immediate impact on the team's starting XI and overall performance.
Ultimately, the pre-season is Glasner's primary opportunity to fully implement his system without the pressure of league points. The projected mixed results suggest that while defensive shape may be taking hold, offensive cohesion and clinical finishing could be areas requiring significant attention before the Premier League season truly kicks off.
Scenarios
AnalysisOne possible outcome is that the projected mixed pre-season results prove largely irrelevant once the Premier League season starts. Glasner's focus on fitness and tactical refinement, rather than winning friendlies, could mean the squad is physically and mentally prepared for the competitive grind, leading to a stronger performance in August than the pre-season record suggests. The team might have been holding back certain tactical elements or prioritising player conditioning over match results.
Another scenario is that the projected struggles in front of goal and the prevalence of draws could carry over into the early Premier League fixtures. If Forest finds it difficult to convert chances or secure wins against top-flight opposition, it could lead to a slow start to the season, putting early pressure on Glasner and the squad. This might necessitate a more conservative approach in initial league games, or a scramble to find attacking solutions.
A third possibility involves the impact of new signings. If Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha integrate seamlessly and quickly find their form, their contributions could provide the much-needed offensive spark and defensive stability that the projected pre-season results appear to lack. Their presence could elevate the team's overall quality and allow Forest to exceed early expectations, regardless of their friendly record.
Timeline
2026-07-18
Pre-season Begins
Nottingham Forest's official pre-season campaign for the 2026/27 season kicks off with a match against Notts County.
2026-07-30
Projected Friendly: Estoril Praia
Reports suggest Nottingham Forest is scheduled to play Estoril Praia, with a projected outcome of a 0-0 draw at Estadio Municipal De Albufeira, Portugal.
2026-08-02
Projected Friendly: Birmingham City
Nottingham Forest is reportedly set to face Birmingham City, with a projected 1-0 loss at St Andrew's, Birmingham.
2026-08-05
Projected Friendly: Fiorentina
The team is expected to host Fiorentina at the City Ground, with reports indicating a 0-0 draw.
2026-08-09
Projected Friendly: Al Qadsiah
Nottingham Forest's pre-season is projected to conclude with a match against Al Qadsiah at the City Ground, reportedly ending in a 0-0 draw.
Frequently Asked Questions
As of July 19, 2026, Nottingham Forest's pre-season officially started on July 18. While specific results for the Notts County match are not detailed in the available information, reports outlining the full pre-season campaign project a record of five draws and two losses across seven friendlies, with specific match outcomes scheduled for later dates.
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