The air around Molineux hasn't felt this heavy in a long time. Honestly, watching Wolves vs Nottingham Forest lately is less about the "beautiful game" and more about who blinks first in a high-stakes staring contest. It’s gritty. It’s stressful. And for fans of both clubs, it’s probably taking a few years off their lives.
We’re sitting here in mid-January 2026, and the landscape is... well, it’s complicated. If you haven't been keeping up with the table, Wolves are currently propping everyone else up in 20th place. Forest isn't exactly cruising in 17th, but that gap—now sitting at 14 points—feels like a canyon.
The Igor Jesus Heartbreak and What It Means Now
Let’s talk about that December meeting. You remember it. Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Nottingham Forest at Molineux on December 3, 2025. It was one of those nights where the ball felt like it was made of lead.
Rob Edwards, who’s been trying to steady a very shaky ship, watched his side battle to a 0-0 halftime score for the fourth game in a row. Then came Igor Jesus. The Brazilian striker thought he’d scored early, but VAR (everyone’s favorite dinner conversation) chalked it off because Dan Ndoye was apparently blocking Sam Johnstone’s view.
But Jesus wouldn't stay quiet. In the 72nd minute, he rose above Emmanuel Agbadou and headed home a cross from Omari Hutchinson. 1-0. Game over.
That result didn't just give Sean Dyche’s Forest three points; it felt like it broke something in the Wolves' psyche. Since then, we’ve seen some "green shoots" as the pundits like to say. Five points from the last three matches isn't world-beating, but for a team that only had two points in early December, it’s a miracle in the making.
A Rivalry Born in the Mud
People forget how deep this goes. We aren't just talking about a modern Premier League scrap. These two have faced off 140 times. Wolves usually have the upper hand historically with 63 wins to Forest's 47, but history doesn't help you much when you’re facing relegation.
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The vibe of this fixture changed recently. It’s become a bit of a "draw-fest" until Forest decided they liked winning at Molineux. Before their 3-0 and 1-0 wins in 2025, we saw a string of 1-1 ties that were basically the football equivalent of a shrug.
- October 2022: Wolves 1-0 Forest (The last time Wolves actually beat them in the league).
- January 2023 (EFL Cup): A 1-1 draw where Forest won on penalties.
- April 2024: A 2-2 thriller at the City Ground.
- December 2025: The Igor Jesus show that left Molineux silent.
The Morgan Gibbs-White Factor
You can't talk about Wolves vs Nottingham Forest without mentioning Morgan Gibbs-White. It’s the elephant in the room. He’s the local lad who came through the Wolves academy, never quite found his permanent spot, and then became the heartbeat of Nottingham Forest.
Every time he touches the ball against his old club, the atmosphere shifts. There’s a mix of "what if" from the Wolves fans and pure adoration from the Traveling Reds. Alongside former Wolves man Willy Boly, he represents a weirdly specific pipeline between these two Midlands clubs.
Tactical Grinds: Why Nobody Can Score
If you’re looking for a 5-4 goal-fest, you’re watching the wrong teams. Sean Dyche has turned Forest into a disciplined, counter-attacking unit. They thrive on set-pieces and aerial duels. They don't mind not having the ball. In fact, they’re kinda better without it.
Wolves, under Rob Edwards, are trying to be "very strong" at stealing the ball back. The stats say they’re actually decent at it. The problem? What happens next. Their Expected Goals (xG) is a lowly 19.71 compared to an actual goal tally that makes you want to look away. Jorgen Strand Larsen and Jhon Arias have the weight of the world on their shoulders right now.
What's Next for Both Teams?
We are hurtling toward a massive rematch at the City Ground on February 11, 2026. This is the big one. Round 26.
For Wolves, it’s basically a must-win to keep the "Greatest Escape" dream alive. For Forest, it’s the chance to put the final nail in the coffin of a local rival while securing their own safety.
Next Steps for Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the Newcastle Game: Wolves play Newcastle this Sunday (Jan 18). If they don't get at least a point there, the psychological gap before the Forest game might be too big to bridge.
- Monitor the Injury List: Keep an eye on Tolu Arokodare and Mateus Mane. Edwards needs his young attackers fit if they're going to break down Dyche's low block.
- The February 11 Date: Mark your calendar for the City Ground clash. It’s likely to be the most intense 90 minutes of the season for both fanbases.
Whether you're shouting for the Old Gold or the Garibaldi Red, one thing is certain: this fixture has stopped being just another game. It’s a fight for survival, and in the Premier League, that’s as real as it gets.