Nottingham Forest's key fixtures in Premier League relegation battle

It's taken time, the City Ground and some astute coaching, but Nottingham Forest have finally found their feet upon their return to the Premier League.

It was always going to be tough for Steve Cooper considering the unprecedented squad overhaul in the summer, but the club stuck by the manager after a difficult opening to the campaign and have started to reap the rewards.

Despite their ambition, survival is Forest's primary aim and they've got as good a chance as anybody to remain in the top flight thanks to their impressive home form which ranks 11th in the Premier League.

Their away record is a huge concern, however, and if they are consigned to the drop, their inability to pick up points away from the City Ground will ultimately be why they succumb.

Here's what Forest's schedule looks like to close out the season, including a note of their most significant upcoming encounters.

• How many points are needed to avoid relegation from the Premier League

Key Nottingham Forest fixtures in 2022/23 relegation run-in

Nottingham Forest vs Wolves

Forest begin the final stretch after the international break with a home game against Wolves.

Julen Lopetegui's side currently sit just above Forest in the table, but they have played a game more. The Spaniard is expected to guide the Midlands outfit to safety, so this would be quite the coup for Cooper.

• 01/04/23 - Nottingham Forest vs Wolves (15:00)

Leeds vs Nottingham Forest

Forest will fancy themselves to pick up another three points on home soil ahead of this midweek trip to Leeds.

The newly-promoted side have not won on the road all season, and while Elland Road hasn't exactly been a fortress for Leeds this season, the significance of this bout under the midweek lights means you can guarantee a raucous atmosphere in Yorkshire.

• 04/04/23 - Leeds vs Nottingham Forest (19:45)

Nottingham Forest vs Southampton

A month will then pass until Forest take on another relegation contender as they endure a tough April schedule.

Should they enter May in a decent position above the relegation zone, many will back them to stay up. However, with contests against Arsenal and Chelsea arriving in the wake of this encounter, Forest must beat bottom-of-the-table Southampton to likely ensure their survival.

Defeat could spell trouble.

• 06/05/23 - Nottingham Forest vs Southampton (15:00)

Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest

Their season concludes away from home... eek.

While a trip to Selhurst Park doesn't appear to be too imposing right now, Forest have been nothing short of incompetent on their travels this term. Their away record is the worst in the division having only been able to muster four goals in 13 away games thus far.

• 28/05/23 - Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest (16:30)

Remaining Nottingham Forest fixtures in 2022/23 season

• 17/03/23 - Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle (20:00)
• 01/04/23 - Nottingham Forest vs Wolves (15:00)
• 04/04/23 - Leeds vs Nottingham Forest (19:45)
• 08/04/23 - Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest (15:00)
• 15/04/23 - Nottingham Forest vs Man Utd (17:30)
• 22/04/23 - Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest (15:00)
• 26/04/23 - Nottingham Forest vs Brighton & Hove Albion (19:45)
• 29/04/23 - Brentford vs Nottingham Forest (15:00)
• 06/05/23 - Nottingham Forest vs Southampton (15:00)
• 13/05/23 - Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest (15:00)
• 20/05/23 - Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal (15:00)
• 28/05/23 - Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest (16:30)

Where are Nottingham Forest in the Premier League table?

Cooper's side have a decent buffer in 14th-place but the points margin is slim. Just two points separate themselves from the drop with Leicester, West Ham, and Bournemouth all on 24 points.

It's so incredibly tight at the bottom, with the make-up of the table likely to alter weekly.