Notts County line up for Glasner’s first competitive XI against Forest
Notts County will field a full-strength side when Nottingham Forest visit Meadow Lane on Friday, with manager Oliver Glasner using the pre-season friendly to test his first-choice XI. County, sitting fifth in League Two with 80 points from 46 games, go into the clash on a two-game winning run and just seven points off Bromley at the summit.
Why this friendly matters for Notts County
Glasner’s first XI selection sends a clear message about his ambitions for the campaign. County have already scored 74 goals this season while conceding 52, leaving them with a healthy +22 goal difference as they eye a return to League One. The friendly offers Glasner a chance to assess his attacking options, with the recent 3-0 win over Salford City on 25 May 2026 showing his side’s attacking intent.
What Glasner’s XI could tell us about the season ahead
The Forest XI will likely feature several first-team regulars, giving County a yardstick for their own squad depth. County’s recent form reads WWDDW over the last five matches, with wins against two sides pushing for the play-offs. A strong showing against Forest would boost morale ahead of the League Two curtain-raiser, where County sit seven points behind leaders Bromley.
County’s route back to League One
With 24 wins, eight draws and 14 losses from 46 games, County’s consistency has kept them in the hunt. Glasner’s side need just seven more points to overhaul Bromley, and a confident display against Forest could fire up the Meadow Lane faithful. The Magpies go into the clash on a high after their Salford City demolition, and Glasner will hope his XI can carry that momentum into the new season.
