Nottingham Forest vs FC Porto Prediction - UEFA Europa League

The clash between Nottingham Forest and FC Porto at City Ground in the UEFA Europa League takes place at a time when both clubs are struggling with serious personnel losses. Although the English team is currently in 13th place with 14 points, 8 places behind their opponent in the standings, home advantage and recent head-to-head history favor the team at City Ground.

Current league position and form

FC Porto currently sits in 5th place with 17 points, showing fairly consistent form with 3 wins and 2 draws in their last 5 matches in this competition. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest is ranked 13th and maintains a fairly effective attacking style of play with an average of 1.8 goals per game.

Notably, FC Porto's defense is proving to be a solid foundation, conceding an average of only 0.8 goals per game. In contrast, Nottingham Forest, despite scoring well, has conceded 12 goals in 13 matches played this season.

Head-to-head history: Nottingham Forest has the advantage.

In their two most recent encounters in continental competitions, Nottingham Forest have remained unbeaten against their Portuguese opponents. Specifically, the English team has won one match and drawn one.

• 10/04/2026:FC Porto 1 - 1 Nottingham Forest
• 24/10/2025:Nottingham Forest 2 - 0 FC Porto

Recent head-to-head results show that Nottingham Forest always knows how to cause difficulties for FC Porto, especially when playing at their home ground, City Ground.

Team situation: Personnel crisis

Both coaches are grappling with lengthy injury lists, which will directly impact their starting lineups for the upcoming match.

Nottingham Forest

The home team will be missing several key players such as T. Awoniyi, W. Boly, John Victor, L. Netz, N. Savona, and E. da Silva Moreira. In addition, the availability of E. Anderson (personal reasons) and Cunha (leg injury) remains uncertain.

FC Porto

Portugal's situation wasn't much better, with M. Fernandes, Y. Karamoh, O. Pietuszewski, and especially key players Samu and L. de Jong all sidelined due to knee injuries. N. Perez was also absent due to an Achilles tendon injury.

Analysis and prediction of results

Based on in-depth analysis, Nottingham Forest is rated slightly higher due to home advantage. Predicted odds show a 45% chance of the home team winning, equivalent to a 45% chance of a draw, while FC Porto's chances of winning are only rated at 10%.

With both teams missing several key attacking players, the match is predicted to be tight with few goals (under 2.5). The safest bet for this encounter is a Nottingham Forest win or a draw.

Team lineup updated at 01:30 on 17/04/2026

Official lineup

Nottingham Forest

Diagram: 4-2-3-1

CoachVitor Pereira

Starting lineup:

• 27. Stefan Ortega (G)
• 34. Ola Aina (D)
• 23. Jair (D)
• 5. Murillo (D)
• 3. Neco Williams (D)
• 6. Ibrahim Sangaré (M)
• 16. Nicolás Domínguez (M)
• 21. Omari Hutchinson (M)
• 10. Morgan Gibbs-White (M)
• 14. Dan Ndoye (M)
• 11. Chris Wood (F)

Substitutes:

• 67. Keehan Willows
• 26. Matz Sels
• 44. Zach Abbott
• 4. Morato
• 31. Nikola Milenković
• 24. James McAtee
• 61. Jimmy Sinclair
• 22. Ryan Yates
• 7. Callum Hudson-Odoi
• 29. Dilane Bakwa
• 19. Igor Jesus
• 20. Lorenzo Lucca

FC Porto

Diagram: 4-3-3

CoachFrancesco Farioli

Starting lineup:

• 99. Diogo Costa (G)
• 20. Alberto Costa (D)
• 3. Thiago Silva (D)
• 5. Jan Bednarek (D)
• 12. Zaidu Sanusi (D)
• 42. Seko Fofana (M)
• 13. Pablo Rosario (M)
• 10. Gabri Veiga (M)
• 7. William Gomes (F)
• 29. Terem Moffi (F)
• 17. Borja Sainz (F)

Substitutes:

• 24. João Costa
• 14. Claudio Ramos
• 4. Jakub Kiwior
• 21. Dominik Prpić
• 74. Francisco Moura
• 73. Gabriel Bras
• 86. Rodrigo Mora
• 8. Victor Froholdt
• 58. Tiago Silva
• 22. Alan Varela
• 27. Deniz Gül
• 11. Pepe