Fulham v Nottingham Forest

Fulham v Nottingham Forest
Premier League 2025/26
Fixture Date – Saturday 20 December 2025
Kick-off – 3pm
Craven Cottage, London

 

The history between Fulham FC and Nottingham Forest FC spans many decades, with both clubs having their own periods of success in English football. Here’s an overview of their rivalry and history:

Early Encounters

• First Meeting: The first competitive match between Fulham and Nottingham Forest occurred in the 1890s, in the old Football League system. Both clubs were part of the early professional football scene in England, though neither was particularly dominant at the time.

• Early Competitions: Most of their encounters in the early years took place in the First Division and the FA Cup, with both clubs experiencing ups and downs in terms of league positioning. Nottingham Forest was often a stronger side historically, especially before World War II.

1960s-1990s: Periods of Rivalry

• Forest’s Success: In the 1970s and 1980s, Nottingham Forest enjoyed their most successful period under manager Brian Clough. Forest won two European Cups (1979 and 1980) and became a dominant force in English football. During this time, Fulham was relegated to the lower divisions and wasn’t a direct rival in terms of competitive success.

• Fulham’s Struggles and Resurgence: During this period, Fulham often played in the lower leagues, while Forest enjoyed their glory years. However, Fulham’s rise from the 1990s onwards, especially after the Mohamed Al-Fayed takeover in 1997, brought them back to the Premier League, where they occasionally met Forest in various cup and league fixtures.

2000s: Premier League Encounters

• Promotion Battles: In the early 2000s, Fulham became a regular feature in the Premier League, and their encounters with Forest were sporadic. Nottingham Forest, after their relegation in the 1990s, worked hard to return to the Premier League.

• Notable Matches: Some of the notable matches between the two teams during this time included competitive encounters in the FA Cup, with both clubs having memorable moments, though their head-to-head record was relatively even.

Recent History: 2010s-Present

• Nottingham Forest’s Return to the Premier League (2022): After a long absence from the top flight, Forest returned to the Premier League in 2022. This brought about new meetings with Fulham, who were firmly established in the top division by then. Their matches in recent years have been hard-fought, with both teams looking to establish themselves in the Premier League.

• Recent Encounters: In recent Premier League seasons (2022-2023), Fulham and Forest have met on several occasions, with Fulham typically holding the upper hand. Their most recent encounters have seen Fulham often winning at home at Craven Cottage, while Forest has worked to avoid relegation in their return season.

Head-to-Head Record

The all-time head-to-head record between Fulham and Nottingham Forest is fairly balanced, with Forest historically having the advantage in terms of overall wins. However, in recent years, Fulham has held a slight edge, especially with their return to the Premier League.

Key Players

• Fulham: Over the years, Johnny Haynes, Clint Dempsey, and Dimitar Berbatov have been some of the club’s standout players during matchups with Forest.

• Nottingham Forest: During their peak years, Nottingham Forest had legends like Brian Clough, John Robertson, and Trevor Francis, while more recent players like Joe Worrall and Brennan Johnson have led the club in recent seasons.

Conclusion

The rivalry between Fulham and Nottingham Forest is not among the most intense in English football, but it remains a competitive fixture when the two teams meet. With both clubs having experienced their peaks and valleys, their encounters have been part of the larger footballing tapestry of the English game. The most recent fixtures have added more drama as both teams aim for Premier League survival and success.