The Premier League's traditional giants are stumbling, but the real twist is that Nottingham Forest, not their usual rivals, are poised to capitalize. Imagine this: if Forest had maintained last season's remarkable pace, their current points total would see them sitting comfortably in third, ahead of Manchester United and Aston Villa. That's the tantalizing 'what if' hanging over the City Ground.

With the Premier League now guaranteed five Champions League spots for next season, the missed opportunity stings a bit more. A stronger, deeper squad over the summer could have kept that dream firmly on track. The potential was there, but football, as fans of Liverpool and Arsenal will attest, rarely follows a straight line.

Yet, the story of this season is far from over. Under Vitor Pereira's steady guidance, the dream has simply shifted continent. A thrilling Europa League run offers a glorious path to redemption. Last week's performance brought them closer to a semi-final, and a draw with Aston Villa served as a tantalizing preview of a potential future clash.

Pereira has brought a welcome stability, becoming the first Forest manager this season to effectively rotate the squad in cup competition without consequence. While it's easy to get lost in hindsight, the focus must remain on the immediate challenge: Porto on Thursday.

But in football, you have to dream. The ultimate scenario—Champions League qualification secured through European glory, with Premier League status intact—is still a possibility. For Nottingham Forest and their supporters, the dream, against all odds, remains very much alive.