Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 19/10
Bookmaker: ZetBet
The City Ground will host a pivotal Europa League clash on Thursday night as Nottingham Forest welcome Portuguese giants FC Porto for Matchday Three of the league phase. With Forest in turmoil and Porto flying high, this fixture could prove decisive in shaping the group’s trajectory.
This will be Sean Dyche’s first game in charge of Forest, and he faces a stern test against one of the competition’s most in-form sides.
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest are enduring a chaotic season, now under their third manager before November. Ange Postecoglou was dismissed just 18 minutes after a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea, ending a winless reign that lasted only 39 days. His predecessor, Nuno Espírito Santo, was also sacked earlier in the campaign, leaving Forest in the relegation zone with just five points in the Premier League.
In Europe, Forest have taken just one point from their opening two matches—a 2-2 draw away to Real Betis and a 3-2 home defeat to FC Midtjylland. They’ve failed to win any of their last ten matches across all competitions, and their last four home games have all ended in defeat, with three of those seeing them concede exactly three goals.
Sean Dyche, a former Forest youth player, now takes the reins with a contract until June 2027. Known for his pragmatic and defensively solid approach, Dyche’s immediate task will be to restore structure and confidence to a side that has conceded heavily and struggled to score.
Team News
Forest’s only injury concern is Ola Aina, who is recovering from hamstring surgery. Several players—Taiwo Awoniyi, Omari Hutchinson, Jair Cunha, and Angus Gunn—are ineligible for the Europa League squad.
Dyche may opt for a four-man defense, moving away from the back five used under Postecoglou. Morato could drop out, while captain Ryan Yates may return to midfield in place of either Douglas Luiz or Ibrahim Sangaré.
In attack, Dyche could turn to familiar faces like Chris Wood, who played under him at Burnley, alongside Igor Jesus, Dan Ndoye, and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
FC Porto
Porto arrive in Nottingham in superb form, having won 10 and drawn one of their 11 matches across all competitions this season. They sit atop the Primeira Liga and have made a perfect start to their Europa League campaign, beating Red Bull Salzburg 1-0 and Red Star Belgrade 2-1.
Their most recent outing was a 4-0 win over Celoricense in the Taca de Liga, where Samu Aghehowa netted a 10-minute hat-trick, taking his tally to eight goals in nine appearances this season. However, he is yet to score in Europe.
Porto have won all six of their away matches this season by an aggregate score of 16-1. Despite their strong form, their record against English clubs is poor—just 10 wins in 49 encounters, and only one win in 24 away matches, which came at Chelsea in April 2021.
Team News
Porto will be without Luuk de Jong and Nehuen Perez, both sidelined with knee ligament injuries. Tomas Perez and Yann Karamoh are ineligible for the Europa League.
Manager Francesco Farioli is expected to field his strongest XI, with Jan Bednarek, Jakub Kiwior, Alberto Costa, and Francisco Moura forming the back line.
In midfield, Alan Varela, Gabri Veiga, and Victor Froholdt are likely to start. Up front, Samu Aghehowa should be joined by Borja Sainz and Pepe.
Head-to-Head: First-Ever Meeting
This will be the first competitive meeting between Nottingham Forest and Porto.
Forest have never faced Portuguese opposition in UEFA competition, while Porto have historically struggled against English sides, especially away from home.
Conclusion
Nottingham Forest are in crisis mode, and while Sean Dyche’s arrival may bring defensive stability, it’s unlikely to yield immediate results against a Porto side in red-hot form. The Portuguese outfit have been clinical, consistent, and dominant away from home, while Forest are still searching for identity and confidence.
Porto’s experience, form, and attacking depth should be enough to secure a win. Forest may show more resilience under Dyche, but the gulf in quality and cohesion is likely to be decisive.
Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 19/10
Bookmaker: ZetBet
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