Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has named his Nottingham Forest team to face Birmingham City in this afternoon’s friendly.
The match in the West Midlands represents the Reds’ fifth run-out of the summer as they continue their preparations for the new campaign. They are yet to register a victory and have scored only one goal in their previous outings.
Nuno will know his team have plenty of work to do with just a fortnight to go before the 2025/26 term kicks off. He bolstered his ranks ahead of today’s clash with the signing of winger Dan Ndoye from Bologna on Thursday.
The Switzerland international is in the starting XI this afternoon. Nuno has named a strong team for the clash at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park.
Jair Cunha and Morato are likely to start at right and left-back respectively. Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo will complete the back line ahead of goalkeeper Matz Sels.
Ibrahim Sangare and Elliot Anderson will make up the midfield. Ndoye will join Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi in providing attacking support for forward Igor Jesus. The bench will be made up of Carlos Miguel, Aaron Bott, Neco Williams, Taiwo Awoniyi, Chris Wood, Eric da Silva Moreira, Jota Silva, Ryan Yates, Omar Richards, Willy Boly, David Carmo and Zach Abbott.
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Nottingham Forest pre-season supplement
It promises to be an exciting season ahead for Nottingham Forest.
The 2024/25 campaign proved to be a special one for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. But it could get even better for the Reds this time around.
European football will be coming to the City Ground for the first time in three decades. It will be a whole new continental adventure for Forest, and they will be eager to give it a good go.
It all means there is a lot to look forward to this coming season. With that in mind, we have produced our Nottingham Forest 2025/26 Kick-Off special, our brilliant guide to the new season.
Our reporter Sarah Clapson will waltz you through what to expect from the Reds this coming season, turn the spotlight on Nuno, run the rule over one of Forest’s key men and take a look at the club’s transfer business. Our club-by-club guide will give you the lowdown on Forest’s Premier League rivals, while you will also be able to test your knowledge with our Premier League quiz.
We will also take a look at the summer’s biggest signings in the division, check out each ground and study the managers - new and old. With a full fixture list, Nottingham Forest 2025/26 Kick-Off will get you in perfect match shape in time for the Reds’ opening day curtain-raiser at home to Brentford on August 17.
Priced £3.50, pre-order your copy now from our online store and get it delivered direct to your door.
In addition to being an important part of the Reds’ build-up to the new term, today’s friendly also serves as the Trevor Francis Memorial Match. It is being played in honour of the legendary former Forest and Blues player who died in July 2023 at the age of 69. Following his £1 million move from the Blues, Francis wrote his name into Reds history by scoring the only goal of the game in the 1979 European Cup final against Malmo.
Forest starting XI: Sels; Jair, Milenkovic, Murillo, Morato; Sangare, Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus. Subs: Miguel, Bott, Williams, Awoniyi, Wood, Moreira, Jota, Yates, Richards, Boly, Carmo, Abbott.
What do you make of the Forest line-up? Click HERE to have your say