FPL
20 August 2026 330 comments
Rocky7 Rocky7
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Our Fantasy Premier League (FPL) 2026/27 team previews continue with Oliver Glasner’s Nottingham Forest.

Here, we discuss their best FPL picks for the upcoming campaign, predict the line-up for Gameweek 1, review pre-season, detail their set-piece takers, assess the summer transfer activity and more



REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL

FPL notes: Glasner discusses Palace rotation in Gameweeks 34/35

STABILITY AT LAST?

Forest went from one manager (and style!) to the next in 2025/26, with Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche and Vitor Pereira all in charge at various points.

Pereira actually did a pretty good job, but there is now optimism that Oliver Glasner can provide some much-needed stability at the City Ground.

With an FA Cup win at Crystal Palace, followed by success in the UEFA Conference League, his appointment feels like a bit of a coup.

The Austrian will probably use a 3-4-2-1 formation at Forest, similar to the one he employed in south London, which could enhance the prospects of Ola Aina (£4.5m) and Neco Williams (£5.0m), the potential wing-backs.

GIBBS-WHITE STAYING?

… and what about Morgan Gibbs-White (£8.0m), who could play as one of the two No 10s in that aforementioned system?

The 26-year-old has been on fire this year.

From Gameweek 20 onwards last season, he was the second top-scoring player in FPL behind Bruno Fernandes (£12.0m), with 12 goals, three assists and 124 points in 18 matches:

A player with real star quality, if Gibbs-White can carry that form into the new campaign (and not attract suitors from elsewhere!), Forest should do well.

NO EUROPE

Also, with no European football in 2026/27, a quieter schedule should help Forest, giving Glasner additional time on the training pitch to prepare for each fixture.

In theory, it should lead to a fresher squad.


REASONS TO BE FEARFUL

FPL notes: Anderson adds penalty to DefCon 2

REPLACING ANDERSON

Elliot Anderson (£6.5m), a key player at Forest, has been sold to Manchester City this summer.

The England international had the most touches, won the most tackles and created the most chances of any teammate in 2025/26.

He also scored four goals and supplied five assists.

But having sealed a move to Enzo Maresca’s side, Forest now have a huge void to fill in the middle of the park, which could impact their ability to control games and keep clean sheets.

The hope is that Ibrahim Sangare (£5.0m) and new arrival Xaver Schlager (£5.0m) can step up, but it’s a big ask, given Anderson’s influence.

HOME FORM

FPL 2026/27 team previews: Nott'm Forest – Best players, DefCon + more 3

One of the problems for Forest last season was their home form. The Tricky Trees managed to only pick up four wins at the City Ground.

Four months passed between their third and fourth victories.

The lack of goals on home turf was a concern, too.

They averaged just over one goal per match, scoring 20 times, the fourth lowest tally among all teams in the top-flight.

Their expected goals (xG) was slightly better at 27.07. However, they must become more decisive in the opponent’s penalty box, especially Igor Jesus (£6.0m), who fell short of his xG by 3.06 at the City Ground.


NOTT’M FOREST: SUMMER TRANSFER ACTIVITY

Key Transfers In:

MID | Xaver Schlager | RB Leipzig (free)
DEF | Ousmane Diomande | Sporting (£34m)

Key Transfers Out:

DEF | Willy Boly | Released
GK | Stefan Ortega | Olympiacos (free)
GK | Angus Gunn | San Jose Earthquakes (free)
MID | Elliot Anderson | Manchester City (£116m)
MID | Jota Silva | Olympiacos (loan)
FWD | Taiwo Awoniyi | Coventry City (£9m)

NOTT’M FOREST: PRE-SEASON FPL REPORTS

Jul 18 | Notts County 0-2 Nottingham Forest  (a) | Jesus (Gibbs-White assist), Kalimuendo (Bakwa assist)
Jul 22 | Nottingham Forest 3-0 Blackburn Rovers (n) | Jesus (Gibbs-White assist), Kalimuendo (Awoniyi assist), Awoniyi (Moreira assist)
Jul 26 | Nottingham Forest 1-1 Vitoria de Guimaraes (n) | Jesus (Aina assist)
Jul 31 | Nottingham Forest 2-1 Portimonese (n) | Awoniyi pen (Hutchinson assist), Schlager
Jul 31 | Nottingham Forest 1-4 Sporting CP (n) | Jesus
Aug 8 | Udinese 1-0 Nottingham Forest (a)
Aug 8 | Nottingham Forest 1-0 Barcelona (n)
Aug 12 | Nottingham Forest 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen (h) | Ndoye (Gibbs-White assist), Kalimuendo (Netz assist)
Aug 16 | Nottingham Forest 2-0 Stade Brestois 29 (h) | Wood pen (Netz assist), Netz (Dominguez assist)

Form Players: Jesus (4 goals), Kalimuendo (3 goals), Awoniyi (2 goals, 1 assist), Netz (1 goal, 2 assists), Gibbs-White (3 assists)


OPENING FIXTURES

Nottingham Forest will be hopeful of making a decent fist of their opening eight matches.

Leeds actually were one of the few teams that Forest beat at home last season, while two newly promoted sides are within this run.

Gameweeks 2 and 7 could be covered, say, by a Tottenham Hotspur player. They face Newcastle United and Coventry City on those weekends.

There’s a decent run over the busy Christmas period, too. The Tricky Trees are a team to think about then, when many other Premier League clubs will be running on fumes and rotating due to additional European involvement.


PENALTY + SET-PIECE TAKERS

 

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FPL Stats Centre
330 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Evasivo
    • 16 Years
    4 hours, 32 mins ago

    Who’s the best £4.5 Mid for first 5-6 GWs?

    1. FantasyTony
      • 9 Years
      4 hours, 22 mins ago

      Hume > Konsa if you’re willing to burn a transfer

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      4 hours, 21 mins ago

      Slater's the best one out of one rn

      And that's if Hull stay quiet by the end of the window

      1. FPL Emu
        • 15 Years
        4 hours, 16 mins ago

        Isn't Crooks at Hull nailed-on and has some attacking threat?

        1. Ze_Austin
          • 7 Years
          3 hours, 28 mins ago

          Saw this late, sorry. I think the fan comment I saw was that Slater is less likely to be replaced in the window. I've searched for a while and I can't find this link, sorry

          Both of them are at risk, so I guess the more attacking one makes sense on an early BB

      2. Evasivo
        • 16 Years
        4 hours, 15 mins ago

        Slater over Hughes?

        1. Ze_Austin
          • 7 Years
          3 hours, 27 mins ago

          Not enough predictors have him starting

          They could be wrong though

    3. FantasyTony
      • 9 Years
      4 hours, 20 mins ago

      Oooh mid sorry. Slater is the best.

  2. PartyTime
    • 5 Years
    4 hours, 29 mins ago

    Happy FPL eve.

    1. Jacquet of all trades, mast…
      • 6 Years
      3 hours, 50 mins ago

      Its party time

  3. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    4 hours, 27 mins ago

    just an edit note ,it has awoniyi from forest to forest

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      4 hours, 26 mins ago

      Boehly's getting some copycats

  4. Ze_Austin
    • 7 Years
    4 hours, 27 mins ago

    Nottingham Forest sold Awoniyi to Nottingham Forest for £9m here

    That's a BlueCo trade, if I ever saw one

  5. Xabi At The Wheel
    • 5 Years
    4 hours, 26 mins ago

    Raya. Steele.
    Shaw. Calafiori. Van Hecke. Davies. Van Ewijk.
    Rogers. B Fernandes. Mbeumo. Schade. Crooks
    Joao Pedro. Haaland. Calvert-Lewin.

    What do you think?

  6. FPL Emu
    • 15 Years
    4 hours, 26 mins ago

    If you had to choose a 4.5 midfielder to have for BB GW2, who would you choose?

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      4 hours, 23 mins ago

      The only started atm, Slater

      Hope for DCs

      Or just delay the BB and hope for a Mitoma/Rogers/Anderson type pick to emerge from the cheap lads

      1.0 more gets you Groß, who I don't mind vs Chelsea

      1. FPL Emu
        • 15 Years
        4 hours, 15 mins ago

        As above: you think he is better than Crooks? Saw an article here earlier bigged him up somewhat

  7. PartyTime
    • 5 Years
    4 hours, 23 mins ago

    Season hasn't begun and I already feel like I'm cooking shite with my starting xi.
    Anyway bench which player this GW as I'm not interested in benching the rest.

    1. Pedro(away) vs Fulham
    2. Wirtz (away) vs Newcastle

    Cheers!

    1. Dre
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 hours, 21 mins ago

      I think you might be right with your feelings if this is your benching decision for GW1

      1. PartyTime
        • 5 Years
        4 hours, 15 mins ago

        😆 it's that time of the year again

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      4 hours, 19 mins ago

      Pedro is one or two steps away from being my VC vs *that* Fulham side

      Bruno > Haaland > Mbeumo > Pedro for GW1

      That means I'm saying Wirtz here, but if you're going down this path... Just get Haaland & Bruno and be done with it...

      1. PartyTime
        • 5 Years
        4 hours, 17 mins ago

        I like this analysis. Thanks

    3. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      4 hours, 19 mins ago

      You cannot bench any of these players surely 🙂 get bruno or haaland!

  8. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    4 hours, 20 mins ago

    raya
    de cuyper/palestra/tarkowski
    mgw/boomo/tzolis/ndiaye
    (h)aaland/pedro/isak

    4m/gomez/konsa/van ewik

    1. Dre
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 hours, 18 mins ago

      Not put off of De Cuyper seeing as he's benched tonight?

      1. Jordan.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        4 hours, 10 mins ago

        not really ,was interested in the striker tho,kostoulas as a cheap fwd is on my watchlist

        1. Dre
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          4 hours, 1 min ago

          If De Cuyper doesn't play for you GW1 then you're playing Van Ewok against Arsenal, not ideal

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 12 Years
            3 hours, 55 mins ago

            de cuyper bench surely means he starts v aston villa?

          2. Jordan.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            3 hours, 53 mins ago

            mmm,fair point

  9. Jacquet of all trades, mast…
    • 6 Years
    4 hours, 18 mins ago

    De Cuyper benched

    1. Jacquet of all trades, mast…
      • 6 Years
      4 hours, 18 mins ago

      Gomez starting

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 12 Years
        4 hours, 17 mins ago

        good stuff for de cuyper!

        1. Jacquet of all trades, mast…
          • 6 Years
          4 hours, 6 mins ago

          If Gomez plays 90 it becomes a risk for gw1 right ?

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 12 Years
            3 hours, 55 mins ago

            i would think so?

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      4 hours, 15 mins ago

      hinchelwood too!

  10. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 hours, 18 mins ago

    Which one would you prefer?

    A) DCL
    B) Wirtz

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      3 hours, 51 mins ago

      One with pens

  11. balint84
    • 10 Years
    4 hours, 17 mins ago

    A) Double Arsenal def gw1white-mosquera
    Or
    B) mosquera to porro

  12. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 12 Years
    4 hours, 17 mins ago

    a verb - kdh
    b lammens - hinchelwood
    c pickford - gross/sangare

    thank you and gl!!

  13. FC Hakkebøf
    • 9 Years
    4 hours, 16 mins ago

    Which combo?

    A) Raya + Shaw
    B) Lammens + White (will likely become Konsa at some point)
    C) Lammens + Kerkez

    C has the more upside due to the attacking threat of Kerkez, but A and B has the higher floor due to the uncertainty of the defensive solidness of Liverpool.

    Thoughts?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      4 hours, 15 mins ago

      a

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      4 hours, 13 mins ago

      Mixed strength XI

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 12 Years
        4 hours, 11 mins ago

        feels weird to see brighton in europe...

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 hours, 10 mins ago

          Tromsø is a difficult team to play

        2. Ball Ake
          • 2 Years
          3 hours, 11 mins ago

          It's not the first time.

    2. lilmessipran
      • 14 Years
      4 hours, 2 mins ago

      Looks strong, no Hinshelwood though

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 9 Years
        3 hours, 57 mins ago

        He's on the bench along with De Cuyper amongst others 🙂

        https://x.com/BHAFC/status/2090468937288818802?s=20

  14. Jam0sh
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 hours, 13 mins ago

    Thoughts on KDH over Ndiaye?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      4 hours, 12 mins ago

      100% yes

    2. h3nh3n
      • 6 Years
      4 hours, 11 mins ago

      Similar to below, I think KDH has better numbers, but obviously Ndiaye has pens.

      If you want to play them against MUN GW3, Ndiaye might edge it, but I’m at KDH atm

      1. Ze_Austin
        • 7 Years
        3 hours, 56 mins ago

        Problem with Ndiaye's pens is that Everton don't play in a way that earns many

        And he doesn't get enough goal involvements in other ways to cover for that

    3. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      4 hours, 11 mins ago

      Absolutely

      The gap should be closer to 1.0

    4. Jam0sh
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 hours, 46 mins ago

      Cheers all

  15. h3nh3n
    • 6 Years
    4 hours, 12 mins ago

    Between:
    A) Dewsbury-Hall + Tzolis
    or
    B) Szobo + Ndiaye/Schade?

    Leaning towards KDH + Tzolis on numbers. Thoughts?

    1. h3nh3n
      • 6 Years
      4 hours, 10 mins ago

      (I’ve got Isak, and FH in 3)

    2. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 9 Years
      4 hours, 7 mins ago

      A

  16. SomeoneKnows
    • 10 Years
    4 hours, 12 mins ago

    Which combo scores more points?
    A) Le Fee + Gross
    B) Tzolis + Gomez

    1. h3nh3n
      • 6 Years
      4 hours, 10 mins ago

      A seems safer and more routes

  17. Nespinha
    • 10 Years
    4 hours, 12 mins ago

    Already have Bruno, would you go for

    A) mbeumo + szobo + rondon + shaw

    B) tzolis + wirtz + muharemovic + maguire

    1. boombaba
      • 13 Years
      4 hours, 8 mins ago

      B

  18. boombaba
    • 13 Years
    4 hours, 8 mins ago

    Bruno DCL Davis
    Or
    Isak Rogers maguire

  19. Tmel
    • 15 Years
    4 hours, 6 mins ago

    How would you rank these medium-long term?

    1. Konsa
    2. Gvardiol
    3. Vuskovic

    (for my Draft team so points only, value doesn't matter)

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      4 hours ago

      3 2 1

      Because you've removed value

  20. Just jarvo
    • 12 Years
    4 hours, 1 min ago

    Most nailed on 5m or under defender thats not man united player?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      4 hours ago

      muharemovic is in my team

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      3 hours, 57 mins ago

      Loads

      You'll need more criteria than that

      Early fixtures? Look at Leeds and Sunderland

      Long-term holds? Leeds again, Brighton, Ajer, Forest

      OOP (for now)? Hume

      1. Just jarvo
        • 12 Years
        3 hours, 52 mins ago

        Leeds score heavy concede heavy to to convinced on them

        1. Jarnathan
          • 10 Years
          2 hours, 58 mins ago

          and now in English?

  21. Jacquet of all trades, mast…
    • 6 Years
    4 hours, 1 min ago

    3.2.1

    1. Jacquet of all trades, mast…
      • 6 Years
      4 hours, 1 min ago

      Reply fail

  22. Just jarvo
    • 12 Years
    3 hours, 59 mins ago

    A)Maguire & Mitchell
    B) Shaw & Van Hecke

    1. Just jarvo
      • 12 Years
      3 hours, 58 mins ago

      Or Maguire & Hume

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 9 Years
        3 hours, 55 mins ago

        Maguire and Hume...

  23. davewg59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 hours, 59 mins ago

    I want my 3rd forward to be a 4.5 cheapie rather than a cheap midfielder. Whats your thoughts on this system or do you prefer the other way round?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      3 hours, 58 mins ago

      i will also have a 352 set up

      1. boombaba
        • 13 Years
        3 hours, 55 mins ago

        Blocks bb until after wc then your formation will change

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 12 Years
          3 hours, 52 mins ago

          not a clue when I will bb. I just prefer a very strong starting 11 to begin with 🙂

  24. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 12 Years
    3 hours, 56 mins ago

    please RMT
    raya (4)
    tark muharemovic de cuyper (van ewijk konsa)
    bruno f wirtz kdh tzolis hinchel
    haaland (c) j pedro (4.5)

    obvioulsy no bb planned 🙂

    I was trying hard to get mbeumo and wirtz but it means defence is too weak, happy to hear any suggestions.

    cheers and gl!

    1. boombaba
      • 13 Years
      3 hours, 54 mins ago

      Tark to shaw

      Allows kdh to boomo or hinchelwood to wirtz

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 12 Years
        3 hours, 53 mins ago

        thanks 🙂

    2. Captain Mal
      • 2 Years
      3 hours, 35 mins ago

      DeCuyper is a short-term pick that doesn't fit with the rest of your team. Kadioglu is the safest choice if you insist on Brighton. However, Justin/Rodon and Ajer would be my top 4.5m DEFs.

  25. Fernandito
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 hours, 54 mins ago

    A Ndiaye and Tzolis
    B La Fee and Szobo

  26. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 hours, 53 mins ago

    Brighton team today looks strong
    https://x.com/BHAFC/status/2090468937288818802?s=20

  27. Jigger & Pony
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 hours, 50 mins ago

    Kadioglu or DeCuyper medium term?

    1. Brosstan
      • 12 Years
      3 hours, 47 mins ago

      Kadioglu for safety

  28. Brosstan
    • 12 Years
    3 hours, 50 mins ago

    This Brighton team doesnt give any info. Its just confusing. Does this mean the players playing are favored to play on sunday, or does it mean they are more likely to be rested?.. Like De Cuyper, Hinshelwood, Rutter. Im staying well away from all of them.

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      3 hours, 48 mins ago

      Looks like a mixed strength team, so I guess even the benched regulars would get some minutes too

      Especially if they have a nice lead early

      But yeah, not the best to base decisions on

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      3 hours, 47 mins ago

      players rested surely will start in the league? its the same every season for every team involved in europe, what am I missing 🙂

      1. BobbyDoesNotLook
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 hours, 47 mins ago

        You are missing the fact this is a mixed package lineup with players that will certainly start in PL, and in previous seasons, for example Chelsea, had zero first team players starting in this phase of Euro games.

  29. jamichael
    • 13 Years
    3 hours, 49 mins ago

    Saka or Tzolis and why? Thanks

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      3 hours, 46 mins ago

      budget?