Nottingham Forest vs Fenerbahce Europa League preview, team news and prediction

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Holding a commanding three-goal lead from the first leg, Nottingham Forest welcome Fenerbahce to the City Ground on Thursday night for the decisive second leg of their Europa League knockout round playoff. The aggregate winners will advance to the last 16, where they will face either Spain’s Real Betis or Danish side FC Midtjylland.

Vitor Pereira made an immediate impact as Nottingham Forest’s new head coach, guiding his side to an emphatic 3-0 victory over his former club Fenerbahce in Istanbul last week—just four days after succeeding Sean Dyche. The Tricky Trees dominated their first-ever match in Turkey, with goals from Murillo, Igor Jesus, and Morgan Gibbs-White inside the opening 50 minutes sealing the club’s biggest away win in European competition.

Pereira hoped to replicate that performance in Sunday’s Premier League clash with Liverpool at the City Ground. While Forest controlled much of the game, especially in the first half, they suffered a heart-breaking 1-0 defeat after Alexis Mac Allister scored a 97th-minute winner for the visitors. The loss leaves Forest 17th in the league, just two points clear of the relegation zone. Nevertheless, Pereira has urged his team to “come back stronger and with confidence to face the future” as they look to secure their top-flight status and continue their European adventure.

Forest can afford to lose by up to two goals on Thursday and still secure a place in the Europa League last 16, but they will be eager to put on a show for their home fans and achieve a third consecutive European victory for the first time since the 1983-84 season.

Fenerbahce, meanwhile, are reeling from consecutive home defeats in European competition for the first time in their history, following a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa in the League Phase and last week’s heavy defeat to Forest. The Yellow Canaries have won just one of their last six Europa League matches and have managed only four wins in 22 meetings with English clubs in European competition, a record that does not inspire confidence ahead of their trip to Nottingham.

Adding to their challenge, Fenerbahce have never progressed from any of their previous 26 European knockout ties after losing the first leg. However, Domenico Tedesco’s side can take heart from their impressive 14-match unbeaten away run in all competitions (W10 D4) since September, which offers a glimmer of hope for a dramatic comeback.

Fenerbahce come into the second leg after a dramatic 1-1 home draw with Kasimpasa in the Turkish Super Lig on Monday. Marco Asensio’s 95th-minute goal was cancelled out by a 101st-minute equalizer from the visitors, who were down to 10 men. Despite the setback, the Yellow Canaries remain unbeaten in 23 league matches this season (W15 D8) and have closed the gap to within two points of leaders Galatasaray, who lost to Konyaspor. While their hopes of a first league title since 2014 are very much alive, overturning their deficit in Europe remains a far more daunting challenge.

Nottingham Forest will be without Chris Wood, Nicolo Savona, John Victor, and Willy Boly, all sidelined with knee injuries, while Matz Sels is out with a groin problem. January signing Luca Netz is also unavailable, having been omitted from the club’s Europa League squad. Manager Pereira faces a decision on whether to rotate his squad or stick with the same starting XI for a third consecutive match. Despite being one booking away from suspension, Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson, Ryan Yates, and Igor Jesus are all strong contenders to start. Jesus, who is currently the joint-top scorer in the Europa League with seven goals, will compete with January arrival Lorenzo Lucca for a place up front.

Fenerbahce, meanwhile, are contending with an injury crisis. Milan Skriniar (groin), Caglar Soyuncu (muscle), Anderson Talisca and Ederson (both hamstring), and Edson Alvarez (ankle) are all sidelined, with Skriniar having picked up his injury in the first leg. Jayden Oosterwolde (groin) is also out injured and suspended for this match, while former Manchester United midfielder Fred is suspended due to yellow card accumulation. Additionally, Anthony Musaba and Mert Gunok are ineligible after being left out of the Europa League squad.

With options limited in defense, Yigit Efe is Fenerbahce’s only natural centre-back available. As a result, manager Tedesco may be forced to deploy Mert Muldur or Matteo Guendouzi in central defense to fill the gaps in the back four.

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