Prediction: Nottingham Forest to win 1-0
Best Odds: 11/2
Nottingham Forest and FC Porto will lock horns with each other in the UEFA Europa League this week. The second leg of the quarter-final tie between the Premier League club and the Liga Portugal outfit will be held at the City Ground and is scheduled to kick off at 8pm time on Thursday.
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest may be in danger of getting relegated to the Championship at the end of the season, but the Premier League club remain in the hunt for the UEFA Europa League and could go on to win.
Forest are 16th in the Premier League table at the moment with 33 points from 32 matches, just three points above the bottom three. The Tricky Trees held FC Porto to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final tie away from home at Estádio Do Dragão in Porto and will head into the second leg at the City Ground on Thursday evening with confidence.
Ahead of the match, Forest manager Vítor Pereira said: “When we accept a job in the middle of the season, we know it is because something isn’t going well. In my opinion, it is a good challenge. It’s a pleasure to be here.
“To face Porto in the Europa League, to face [Aston] Villa the game before, [then] Burnley – it means we are here, we are fighting, we are alive, and with energy to keep going.”
When asked for his message to the squad, Pereira said: ”To be resilient. To believe. To keep our confidence and to believe in our work, in ourselves, our qualities. Each game is a new challenge.”
Team News:
Jair Cunha, Willy Boly, Nicolo Savona and John Victor will not feature for Nottingham Forest because of a knee injury. The Preier League club will have Ortega in goal, with Aina, Murillo, Milenkovic and Williams in front of him in defence. Sangare and Anderson will be the two holding midfielders. Hutchinson, Gibbs-White and Hudson-Odoi will be in attacking midfield. Jesus will lead the line for Forest.
FC Porto
FC Porto are one of the biggest clubs in Portugal and regularly compete in major European competitions. Francesco Farioli’s side having a good campaign and will plan to end it with a flourish.
The Dragons are at the top of the Primeira Liga table at the moment with 76 points from 29 matches, five points clear of second-placed Sporting CP, who have a game in hand.
FC Porto could also reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League this season. After drawing the first leg of their quarter-final tie 1-1 at home last week, the Portuguese giants will be determined to step up their game and get the job done in the second leg at the City Ground on Thursday evening.
Team News:
Samu Aghehowa, Luuk de Jong and Martim Fernandes are out for FC Porto due to injuries. Nehuen Perez is doubtful with a tendon problem. D Costa will be in goal for Porto, with A Costa, Silva, Bednarek and Sanusi in front of him in defence. Fofana, Rosario and Veiga will be the three midfielders. Gomes, Moffi and Sainz will be deployed as the three forwards.
Key Factors to Consider
- Nottingham Forest have won 2 of their last 5 matches in all competitions.
- Nottingham Forest have drawn 3 of their last 5 matches in all competitions.
- Nottingham Forest have scored 7 goals in their last 5 matches in all competitions.
- FC Porto have won 3 and drawn 3 of their last 5 games in all competitions.
- FC Porto have conceded 5 goals in their last 5 games in all competitions.
Conclusion
FC Porto have much more experience in European football than Nottingham Forest, but the Premier League club will be emboldened by their first-leg result and performance. It is very likely that the Reds will eke out a narrow win in the second leg and progress to the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest to win 1-0
Best Odds: 11/2
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