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Taiwo Awoniyi’s return has come at exactly the right time for Nottingham Forest, with improved results under a new manager who tightens the relegation outlook and changes the way betting markets interpret their season.
Nottingham Forest’s campaign has not followed a straight line. For long periods, they looked like a team edging towards the bottom three, lacking confidence and without a consistent attacking presence. As the end of the season approaches, that picture has changed. Results have improved, goals have followed and there is now a sense that survival is within reach rather than elusive.
That change is due to a combination of factors. The arrival of Vítor Pereira in February brought renewed confidence and clearer focus, while the return of Taiwo Awoniyi has added depth at a time when every contribution matters.
That impact isn’t always reflected in how individual players are priced, especially in markets built around season-long scoring totals.
How betting markets reflect Forest’s late-season momentum
If you were to bet In the Premier League Golden Boot market at Betway, an international bookmaker that covers a wide range of sports with in-play options and mobile access in different regions, the picture is already clear. Erling Haaland is around 1/33, or roughly -3300 on the American odds, reflecting a season based on consistent scoring throughout the entire campaign.
That type of market leans more toward volume than time, meaning that when you place a bet here, you’re backing long-term production rather than short bursts of form.
Of course, Awoniyi’s impact does not appear in those conversations. The 28-year-old Ilorin-born striker is not competing for the Golden Boot, but that does not take away from what he has contributed in recent weeks.
Awoniyi’s return comes when Forest needs him most
When Awoniyi found the net against Brentford in January, it was no routine finish. Collecting the ball inside his own half, the ten-time Nigerian international advanced, withstood the attacks and finished between the goalkeeper’s legs to secure the victory.
That moment carried weight because of what came before. Just a few months earlier, he was recovering from a serious injury that kept him out for an extended period. His return gave Forest an option that had eluded them during a difficult race.
Since then, his contributions have continued to come at important moments. He scored late in the 3-0 win over Tottenham, adding a third goal that confirmed the result in a match with direct implications for the relegation battle.
More recently, he made an immediate impact off the bench in the 5-0 win over Sunderland, setting up a goal shortly after coming on. It was a brief appearance, but it showed how quickly he can influence a game when space opens up late.
Relegation odds begin to reflect Forest’s improvement
Those moments may not influence Golden Boot markets, but they do affect how teams are priced elsewhere.
At around +1800 to go down, Nottingham Forest are no longer among the teams most likely to be relegated. If you choose to bet on the relegation market, that price reflects a team that still carries risk but is out of immediate danger compared to earlier in the season.
That improvement has been based on a series of actions under Pereira’s command. His arrival in February focused on regaining confidence and simplifying the approach on the pitch. The impact has been clear in front of goal.
Forest have scored 16 league goals since Pereira took charge, more than any other team in that period. That result didn’t come from just one player. Instead, it has been shared across the team, with Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus contributing in addition to the returning forwards.
The 5-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light It was the clearest example. Four goals came in 20 minutes, turning a difficult situation into a dominant performance and briefly opening an eight-point gap to the bottom three.
That’s the kind of outcome that forces betting markets to adjust.
A season that balances survival and opportunity
There is also a contrast when looking beyond the relegation picture. Nottingham Forest remains involved in European competition, with odds of around +333 to win the Europa League. For a team still working to secure their place in the Premier League, that position highlights just how unpredictable their season has been.
On the one hand, they are focused on getting enough points to stay ahead. On the other hand, they are still capable of producing performances that take them deep into a knockout competition.
This dynamic presents two separate narratives if you follow the markets. One is based on consistency and league position. The other is based on short-term momentum and form.
Why Awoniyi’s contributions continue to matter
In that context, Awoniyi’s role is clear. He does not chase individual awards and does not lead the scoring charts. What it offers is something different.
His goals have come in moments that directly affect results and his presence gives Forest another option, particularly in games where physicality and movement are needed at the end.
Forest are not relying on a single player to get them through the final weeks of the season. Instead, they are finding contributions throughout the team, with Awoniyi adding depth to an attack that has become more effective under Pereira.
As the season moves toward its end, those contributions could prove decisive. The race for the Golden Boot may already be decided, but at the other end of the table, it’s moments like this that determine whether a team stays in the Premier League or drops to the Championship.
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