Nottingham Forest currently find themselves in a position they haven’t been in since early January, having dropped into the relegation zone at the weekend.
Defeat at Aston Villa extended the Reds’ miserable winless streak to nine games. They now have eight matches left in which to claw their way out of trouble.
Somehow, head coach Steve Cooper must turn his team’s form around. Forest will take heart from an improved performance at Villa Park, as well as the fact it remains tight at the bottom of the table.
READ MORE: Forest receive Leicester City warning after new manager confirmed
READ MORE: How Forest's iconic home shirt has changed over past 45 years
A few teams have started to open up a bit of a gap, but only goal difference is keeping Everton above the Reds, while they are just two points below Leeds United. It is not over yet.
Results need to improve very quickly, though, to keep Forest in with a chance of staying up. We take a look at the next five fixtures for Cooper’s side and how they compare to their relegation rivals.
Manchester United (H) - Sunday, April 16
The Reds’ record at the City Ground has been doing a lot of the heavy-lifting this season, and they will need to make the most of their remaining four home fixtures. Cooper’s men have already shown they are capable of getting results against big teams on the banks of the Trent. They have drawn with Manchester City and Chelsea, while Liverpool were toppled in October.
Forest haven’t won since beating Leeds United in February, however - a statistic which desperately needs to change. There’s no doubt Sunday is a huge game.
It will be far from easy against a United side which they are yet to beat in three attempts so far this term. The starting point has got to be putting in a good performance.
Liverpool (A) - Saturday, April 22
Travel sickness has been a real problem amid the step up to the Premier League. There was an improvement at Villa Park, and but for a costly error the game-plan might have worked.
If the Reds can take something from Sunday’s match, it would help with confidence for the trip to Anfield. Ordinarily, you would say the outcome of this season won’t be defined by games such as this; it’s what you would probably call a “free hit”. At this point, though, every game matters. Jurgen Klopp’s team have been up and down, and Forest have already got the better of them once…
Brighton and Hove Albion (H) - Wednesday, April 26
The Seagulls are flying under Roberto De Zerbi. It only underlines how tough the Reds’ run-in is that this could be another tricky home fixture. It’s one they will need to back themselves to get something from, though.
Injuries have had a massive impact on the options available to Cooper. Forest will hope the situation has improved by the time May approaches.
Brentford (A) - Saturday, April 29
April always looked like being a crucial month, amid a packed schedule. It hasn’t got off to the best of starts, with one point from the first three games. Come the final game of the month, the picture at the bottom end of the table might look a little clearer - Forest have got to make sure they are still in the fight by then.
The trip to face the Bees will be another difficult one, given they are also having a strong campaign. The first half against Villa offered something for the Reds to build on, though, and somehow they have got to sort out their dismal run on the road.
Southampton (H) - Monday, May 8
Potentially a decisive game. Dropping points against close rivals in recent weeks is one of the reasons Forest are now in the predicament they are in.
The Saints remain bottom of the table, but they are giving a good go of making a fight of it. If Cooper’s side are to have any chance of avoiding the drop, though, this is one they will have to win. After that, they have Chelsea away and Arsenal at home, before travelling to Crystal Palace on the final day. These next few weeks are not going to be for the faint-hearted.
Next five fixtures for the rest of those sides battling relegation…
Crystal Palace - 12th, 30 games played, 33 points
Southampton (A) - Sat, April 15
Everton (H) - Sat, April 22
Wolverhampton Wanderers (A) - Tues, April 25
West Ham United (H) - Sat, April 29
Tottenham Hotspur (A) - Sat, May 6
Wolverhampton Wanderers (13th, 30 games played, 31 points)
Brentford (H) - Sat, April 15
Leicester City (A) - Sat, April 22
Crystal Palace (H) - Tues, April 25
Brighton and Hove Albion (A) - Sat, April 29
Aston Villa (H) - Sat, May 6
West Ham United (14th, 29 games played, 30 points)
Arsenal (H) - Sun, April 16
Bournemouth (A) - Sun, April 23
Liverpool (H) - Wed, April 26
Crystal Palace (A) - Sat, April 29
Manchester City (A) - Wed, May 3
Bournemouth (15th, 30 games played, 30 points)
Tottenham Hotspur (A) - Sat, April 15
West Ham United (H) - Sun, April 23
Southampton (A) - Thurs, April 27
Leeds United (H) - Sun, April 30
Chelsea (H) - Sat, May 6
Leeds United (16th, 30 games played, 29 points)
Liverpool (H) - Mon, April 17
Fulham (A) - Sat, April 22
Leicester City (H) - Tues, April 25
Bournemouth (A) - Sun, April 30
Manchester City (A) - Sun, May 7
Everton (17th, 30 games played, 27 points)
Fulham (H) - Sat, April 15
Crystal Palace (A) - Sat, April 22
Newcastle United (H) - Thurs, April 27
Leicester City (A) - Mon, May 1
Brighton and Hove Albion (A) - Mon, May 8
Leicester City (19th, 30 games played, 25 points)
Manchester City (A) - Sat, April 15
Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) - Sat, April 22
Leeds United (A) - Tues, April 25
Everton (H) - Mon, May 1
Fulham (A) - Mon, May 8
Southampton (20th, 30 games played, 23 points)
Crystal Palace (H) - Sat, April 15
Arsenal (A) - Fri, April 21
Bournemouth (H) - Thurs, April 27
Newcastle United (A) - Sun, April 30
Nottingham Forest (A) - Mon, May 8
How many points will Forest get from the next five games? Have your say in the comments below
READ NEXT
