Verdict: Igor Jesus over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Sat firmly in the driving seat to punch their Europa League Round of 16 ticket on Thursday night, Nottingham Forest will welcome Fenerbahce to the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest
Starting with the hosts, while Nottingham Forest might have suffered infamous last-gasp heartbreak at home against Liverpool over the weekend as they slumped to a 1-0 loss, Vitor Pereira got his tenure underway with a sensational performance last week. Storming their way to a famous 3-0 romp in Istanbul, the former Wolves boss will certainly be dreaming of a repeat display here. However, at the heart of a Premier League relegation scrap, Forest have struggled to find any kind of stability on home soil. In fact, Pereira’s side have recorded just a single win from any of their previous seven consecutive showdowns at the City Ground – a run that stems back to December 14th. Likewise, along with drawing consecutive blanks on home soil, Forest have failed to find the net in four of their last six appearances at the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest Team News
All still dealing with respective knee injuries, Nottingham Forest will once again be without the quartet of Nicolo Savona, Willy Boly, Chris Wood and Brazilian goalkeeper John Victor. Likewise, fellow shot-stopper Matz Sels remains on the sidelines with a groin issue.
Completing a permanent switch from Manchester City last month, Stefan Ortega will start between the sticks. Finding the net in Istanbul and remarkably notching seven goals in as many Europa League appearances, Igor Jesus will lead the line on Thursday night.
Fenerbahce
As for the visitors, coming under a huge amount of scrutiny last week as they slumped to that infamous 3-0 drumming in Istanbul, Fenerbahce are seeking what would be an iconic Europa League miracle on Thursday night. Although Domenico Tedesco’s side might have had their sights set on mounting a genuine title charge in 2026, the former Belgium boss saw his squad completely implode at the Surku Saracoglu Stadium. However, despite failing to claim an immediate boost on Monday evening as they had to settle for a dramatic 1-1 stalemate against Kasimpasa, Fenerbahce have continued to shine on their travels. In fact, despite seeing their European dreams hanging by a thread, the Yellow Canaries have not suffered a single competitive defeat on their travels across any competition since the end of September.
Fenerbahce Team News
Both limping off with respective first-half injury issues against Kasimpassa on Monday evening, Fenerbahce are sweating over the fitness of Jayden Oosterwolde and former Leicester star Caglar Soyuncu here. West Ham loanee Edson Alvarez is expected to miss the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury.
Completing permanent move to Istanbul last month, ex-Chelsea superstar N’Golo Kante will be handed a full recall in the middle of the park. Making a real impact since arriving from PSG last summer, Marco Asensio will play a leading role in the final third.
Nottingham Forest vs Fenerbahce Key Factors to Consider
- When Nottingham Forest and Fenerbahce met for their first-leg showdown in Istanbul last week, Thursday’s hosts collected a famous 3-0 victory on foreign soil.
- Forest have recorded just a single win from any of their previous seven consecutive matchups at the City Ground.
- Thursday’s hosts have failed to find the net in four of their last six showdowns in Nottingham.
- Fenerbahce have not suffered a single defeat away from the Surku Saracoglu Stadium across any competition since the end of September.
- Brazilian striker Igor Jesus has recorded seven goals in as many Europa League appearances this season.
Conclusion
Putting in a famous performance in Istanbul last week as they stormed their way to an empathic 3-0 victory, Nottingham Forest will be dreaming of a repeat display here. Sat firmly in the driving seat to punch their Round of 16 ticket on Thursday night, Pereira’s side will also be seeking an immediate response following on from their last-gasp heartbreak over the weekend. With Fenerbahce’s European dreams now hanging by a thread, the Turkish heavyweights will be more than aware that they are seeking what would be an iconic Europa League miracle in Nottingham.
Verdict: Igor Jesus over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: Dachbet