Supercomputer now predicts where Nottingham Forest will finish in the table after five games under Sean Dyche

Supercomputer Now Predicts Where Nottingham Forest Will Finish in the Table After Five Games Under Sean Dyche

Sean Dyche’s arrival at Nottingham Forest came at a moment when the club desperately needed direction. With the season drifting and confidence fragile, the former Burnley and Everton boss stepped into the City Ground determined to bring structure, spirit and stability back to a team that had struggled for momentum.

Five matches into his reign, early signs suggest that Forest have rediscovered some defensive balance and competitive edge — but the bigger question remains: where will this resurgence take them in the Premier League table?

Dyche’s first fixtures have offered a useful snapshot of where Forest stand and where they might be heading. A strong 2–0 home win over FC Porto in the Europa League opened his tenure in encouraging fashion, restoring belief and injecting much-needed energy into the squad. That was followed by a challenging 2–0 away defeat at Bournemouth in the league, a result that highlighted the structural issues still needing attention. Forest then battled to a 2–2 draw with Manchester United, showing resilience and tactical organization, before grinding out a 0–0 Europa League draw away at Sturm Graz. The fifth match — a 3–1 win over Leeds United — showcased a sharper attacking edge and rewarded Dyche with his first Premier League victory as Forest manager.

These early results have naturally caught the attention of data analysts and predictive models, particularly the widely referenced “supercomputer” simulations used by major outlets to forecast end-of-season standings. These systems run thousands of simulations using factors like recent form, expected goals, defensive metrics and fixture difficulty. With Dyche’s impact now factored in, the model has adjusted Forest’s trajectory.

At the middle point of its updated analysis, the supercomputer predicts that Nottingham Forest are most likely to finish the season in 15th place.

This forecast reflects both progress and limitation: a safer position than where Forest seemed to be heading before Dyche took charge, yet still short of the comfort of mid-table consolidation. The prediction is shaped by several key elements. Defensively, Forest look more disciplined under Dyche, conceding fewer high-quality chances and showing clearer structure. The model rewards this improvement. However, attacking output — despite the promising display against Leeds — remains inconsistent, and without a reliable goalscorer delivering week in, week out, simulations tend to settle Forest in the lower mid-table cluster.

Fixture difficulty also plays a role. Forest’s remaining schedule includes several demanding trips and clashes against sides competing for European spots. While winnable fixtures exist, especially at the City Ground, the overall balance keeps their projected points total in a tight range around the 15th-place mark. In many simulations, only a handful of points separate 15th from the relegation rivals just below — a reminder that small shifts in form could push Forest slightly higher or drag them dangerously lower.

Still, the outlook is far from bleak. A 15th-place finish would represent stability, survival, and a platform for something better. It would give Dyche the breathing room he needs to reshape the squad, strengthen key areas in the January window, and build a long-term identity based on discipline and work rate. For a team that has endured turbulent managerial changes and fluctuating performances, such a finish would signal that Forest are back on sensible footing.

The coming weeks will reveal whether Dyche’s early impact can evolve into sustained consistency. With clearer defensive organization already emerging and the potential for attacking improvements still untapped, Forest remain a team with upward mobility — but one still walking a fine line. For now, the supercomputer sees them surviving with a 15th-place finish, and for many supporters, that would be a solid platform on which a new era can finally begin.