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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330 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Ray85
    • 8 Years
    3 hours, 2 mins ago

    Evening lads, is this worth a BB?

    Kinsky Verbruggen
    Maguire Calafiori Hume Aina Muha
    Bruno F Mbuemo Ode Wirtz Gomez
    JP, Isak, Thiago

    Still have 4m ITB to allow Haaland GW3 transfer.

    1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 hours ago

      Was gonna post this is as a separate comment but: I'm wary of Brighton outfield.

    2. yousunkmybattleship
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      2 hours, 52 mins ago

      £4m?! Just get Haaland from the start

    3. Jstap94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 hours, 26 mins ago

      Yeah agree with battleship, you either have to spend that 4m or get Haaland. You could get some massove upgrades with that

      1. Ray85
        • 8 Years
        1 hour, 5 mins ago

        If I get him I won't be able to do a decent BB. This way I can get him with two easy transfer for the Coventry game.

  2. Nutmeg Ninja
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 hours, 1 min ago

    Which DEF has the best chance of scoring 30+ pts over the first 5 GWs? (I guess apart from ARS DEF as those are the easy answers).

    1. Nutmeg Ninja
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 hours, 1 min ago

      My pick: O'Reilly

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      2 hours, 59 mins ago

      Maguire, tbh. Just bench him vs City *if* City look great by then

      1. Nutmeg Ninja
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 hours, 58 mins ago

        Like that pic. Can see him with a proper headed goal or 2

    3. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      2 hours, 47 mins ago

      O'Reilly imo

  3. JayKay1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 hours, 1 min ago

    This is a half decent single summary page of pre-season action, I found it useful in terms of tweaking bench players:

    https://allaboutfpl.com/2026/08/2026-27-pre-season-summary-of-all-20-premier-league-teams/

  4. Eliano
    • 5 Years
    2 hours, 59 mins ago

    Ok lads think I’ve settled on things… maybe

    Verbruggen kinsky

    Calafiori konsa shaw Hume Thomas

    Bruno mbuemo Szobo tzolis gross

    Pedro haaland brobbey

    Any suggestions?

    1. JayKay1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 hours, 50 mins ago

      Couldn't find a way to fit in Halland (£15.5m) and Bruno F (£12m) and have a balanced squad... Also, Bruno has only delivered outstanding numbers (FPL points) in 2020/21 and 2025/26, the intervening years 2021/22 to 2024/25 weren't up to scratch for £12m outlay... And he turns 32 in Sept 26, no Casimiro this season (he had a good year last term)...

      Haaland, 70% ownership, too risky in terms of (C) in at least 5 of first 7 fixtures, can't leave him out and risk falling behind... So, Mbeumo for me at £4m less...

    2. JayKay1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 hours, 34 mins ago

      If Hume or Thomas are £4.5, then go Konsa, looks like trf to ARS is going through :o)

  5. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 10 Years
    2 hours, 58 mins ago

    This hasnt changed in two days now. A rarity. Any changes suggested?

    Verbruggen
    Califiori Shaw Aina
    Bruno Mbeumo Semenyo Wirtz Gross
    Haaland Pedro

    Dubravka Egeli Diop Thomas

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      2 hours, 54 mins ago

      Aina -> Hume/Ajer/Rodon

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      2 hours, 54 mins ago

      awesome. gtg

  6. JBG
    • 8 Years
    2 hours, 58 mins ago

    Schade + NOR is better than Rogers + Hume/Ballard right?

    Specially after these comments about Rogers.

    “Let’s see. We will check, we will assess, but for sure because of the World Cup, they came a little bit later and they would need maybe a little bit more time, but they are for sure selectable for the line-up.” – Xabi Alonso on the match-readiness of the players late back from the World Cup

  7. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 10 Years
    2 hours, 57 mins ago

    Gross with the first shot on goal from outside the box.

  8. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • 9 Years
    2 hours, 57 mins ago

    Preferred option here folks??

    A- Schade
    Or
    B- Ndiaye

    Cheers everyone!!

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      2 hours, 54 mins ago

      A

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • 9 Years
        2 hours, 32 mins ago

        Cheers mate!!

  9. DARE TO BISCAN
    • 8 Years
    2 hours, 54 mins ago

    With a GW2 BB in mind:

    a) Tzolis, Muharemovic
    b) LaFee, Palestra

    1. Galza
      • 9 Years
      2 hours, 24 mins ago

      A

  10. Nutmeg Ninja
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 hours, 53 mins ago

    Osman for Brighton has looked threatening so far. Might halt the De Cuyper winger optimism

    1. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      2 hours, 49 mins ago

      Yeah but I'll take the risk for everyone that don't

    2. Johnjo
      • 8 Years
      2 hours, 33 mins ago

      Is Osman even listed in FPL?

  11. PartyTime
    • 5 Years
    2 hours, 52 mins ago

    Absurd how O'Reilly is being overlooked due to late return or because of Bruno, I guess. Straight into my xi though. I'll take the risk because I won't win fpl anyway.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      2 hours, 48 mins ago

      seems like a risky season 🙂

    2. JayKay1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 hours, 47 mins ago

      I'm O'Riley and no Bruno F, with you on that... Can't do Haaland and Bruno F and balance, esp. in DEF...

      1. PartyTime
        • 5 Years
        2 hours, 42 mins ago

        We'll score the same pts as template teams if we don't find differentials. O'Reilly is a tight differential. Mbeumo + Cunha could work over Bruno if the latter becomes a starter so I'm not worried too about that unless Utd get pen every week.

      2. Christina.
        • 16 Years
        2 hours, 40 mins ago

        Bruno+Halland+Ars def + Oriley is easy to get

        1. JayKay1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 hours, 32 mins ago

          Not with this:

          Verbruggen | (Kinsky)
          O'Reilly | Shaw | Calafiori | (Konsa) | (Davis)
          Wirtz | Tzolis | Semenyo | Mbeumo | (Slater)
          J Pedro | Thiago | Halland

  12. hazza44
    • 13 Years
    2 hours, 49 mins ago

    Thoughts on my current team? Recently removed DCL because he just doesn’t excite me.

    Verb
    Cala Maguire Rodon
    Bruno Mbeumo Wirtz Tzolis Le Fee
    Haaland JPedro
    (Kinsky Ajer Diop Walle Egeli)

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

      i like it 🙂

    2. Galza
      • 9 Years
      2 hours, 23 mins ago

      Good one

  13. FPLShaqiri
    • 8 Years
    2 hours, 48 mins ago

    Ajer seems very popular, but is there a reason he's so much more popular than Kayode? I know DEFCON is a thing, but Kayode is very attacking.

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

      defcon

  14. Saka White Rice
    • 11 Years
    2 hours, 46 mins ago

    Which combo do you prefer?
    A) Tzolis+Ndiaye
    B) Wirtz+Gomez

    1. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      2 hours, 41 mins ago

      A

    2. Drizzle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 hours, 38 mins ago

      A

  15. mrpink32
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 hours, 45 mins ago

    First draft, appreciate a rate!

    Lammens kindly
    Maguire white calafiori (O’Shea Davis)
    Mbuemo schade wirtz Sarr Tzolis
    Haaland Isak Pedro

    Wondering if I’m going to miss Bruno too much?

  16. OffsidePenalty
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 hours, 44 mins ago

    GTG?

    Raya
    Shaw, White, Hume
    Wirtz, Bruno, Mbeumo, Tzolis
    Haaland, DCL, J.Pedro

    Dub, Slater, Diop, van Ewijk

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      2 hours, 42 mins ago

      sure is!

    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      2 hours, 36 mins ago

      Looks solid, most boxes ticked.

    3. Eze Come, Eze Go
      • 2 Years
      2 hours, 33 mins ago

      Looks good

  17. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 12 Years
    2 hours, 43 mins ago

    Is de cuyper and hinshelwood in my starting 11 too much? thank you

    1. Christina.
      • 16 Years
      2 hours, 39 mins ago

      dunno, they are both benched tonight

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 12 Years
        2 hours, 37 mins ago

        de cuyper is such a good footballer, would make no sense to bench him

    2. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      2 hours, 36 mins ago

      not if they do well

  18. Pomp and Circumstance
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    2 hours, 41 mins ago

    Odegaard or Tzolis a better choice? know most are going with Tzolis, but is Odegaard a good and/or shrewd alternative?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      2 hours, 41 mins ago

      tzolis seems more explosive with that opening fixture

    2. Johnjo
      • 8 Years
      2 hours, 37 mins ago

      I'm almost tempted to get both as both look good value at 6.5.
      Would mean only 1 Ars defender though.

  19. Evasivo
    • 16 Years
    2 hours, 41 mins ago

    While other tinker with starting 15

    Me: Changes team name to Hurzeler Hairline

  20. Sid07
    • 12 Years
    2 hours, 40 mins ago

    Suggestions?

    Kinsky (Verbrugen)
    Calafiori Maguire Ajer (kadiougli hume)
    Bruno Mbeumo szobo Ndiaye (Sangare)
    Pedro Haaland DCL

    1. Johnjo
      • 8 Years
      2 hours, 35 mins ago

      I'm almost tempted to get both as both look good value at 6.5.
      Would mean only 1 Ars defender though.

  21. Xabi At The Wheel
    • 5 Years
    2 hours, 39 mins ago

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

    Good evening everyone! Is it G2G?

    1. Eze Come, Eze Go
      • 2 Years
      2 hours, 32 mins ago

      Looks G2G

  22. mitre
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 hours, 37 mins ago

    Kinsky
    Calafiori Shaw Hume
    Bruno Semenyo Tzolis Fée Hinshelwood
    Haaland Pedro

    Leno DCL Rodon Davis

    GTG?

    1. Eze Come, Eze Go
      • 2 Years
      2 hours, 33 mins ago

      I like it

  23. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 12 Years
    2 hours, 37 mins ago

    a sangare and muharemovic
    b hinshelwood and de cuyper

    cheers 🙂

  24. Casp123
    • 11 Years
    2 hours, 37 mins ago

    Best sub 7.5m striker other than DCL?
    I keep thinking about Wissa please talk me out of it.

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      2 hours, 36 mins ago

      Brobbey

      1. Casp123
        • 11 Years
        2 hours, 31 mins ago

        That's the answer I was assuming and I think he can deliver in the first 3 GWs. Might have a settled back 4 by then as well.
        This Arsenal defence business has turned my world upside down tbh.

  25. Football is home
    • 4 Years
    2 hours, 37 mins ago

    A)Szoboslai
    B)Odegaard+0.5m

    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      2 hours, 36 mins ago

      A

    2. Eze Come, Eze Go
      • 2 Years
      2 hours, 34 mins ago

      A

  26. Eze Come, Eze Go
    • 2 Years
    2 hours, 34 mins ago

    Evening all! £1M in the bank. *Punt on Gakpo but form looks good and could be Spurs striker, but should I keep or transfer him to Wirtz / Szob / Rogers. Thoughts and critiques welcome.

    Kinsky
    Shaw - Calafriori - Robertson
    Tzolis - Semenyo - Mbeumo - *Gakpo
    Haaland (C) - Pedro - Thiago

    Verbruggen - Le Fee - Castagne - Van Ewijk

  27. Essem
    • 9 Years
    2 hours, 34 mins ago

    Probably been answered already but I can’t keep track of these pages (we need a forum!)

    White or Calafiori?

    1. Essem
      • 9 Years
      2 hours, 33 mins ago

      White hit defcon in the shield. But that was against decent opposition.

      1. FPLCEO
        • 16 Years
        2 hours, 27 mins ago

        I see White as a potential minutes risk too with Konsa arriving and Timber back in training. Cali will get taken off for Hincapie sometimes but far more attacking

  28. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 11 Years
    2 hours, 30 mins ago

    I was all aet

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 11 Years
      2 hours, 29 mins ago

      * opps not sure what happened there.

      I was all set on A but is B better

      A. Bruno, callifori & Dango
      B. Mbeumo, Gabriel & Wirtz

      1. Essem
        • 9 Years
        2 hours, 28 mins ago

        Gabriel is overpriced. A is better.

      2. FPLCEO
        • 16 Years
        2 hours, 28 mins ago

        Would stick with A there

  29. Brunsvigeren
    • 10 Years
    2 hours, 27 mins ago

    BB1, 2.5 Itb

    Raya, Verbruggen
    Davis, Muharemovic, VVD, Gabriel, Maguire
    Mbeumo, Szobo, Ndiaye, Semenyo, Tzolis
    Isak, JP, DCL

    thoughts?

    1. Brunsvigeren
      • 10 Years
      1 hour, 24 mins ago

      Where to use the 2.5?

  30. Meta12345
    • 2 Years
    2 hours, 25 mins ago

    last piece of the puzzle for my team. Who is the best 5.0m midfielder for bench boost gw2?