Fenerbahçe vs Nottingham Forest – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

The Vítor Pereira era at Nottingham Forest begins today with a high-stakes trip to Istanbul as the Tricky Trees face Turkish giants Fenerbahçe in the first leg of their Europa League play-off round at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.

Pereira is remarkably the fourth permanent manager at the City Ground this season—a new Premier League record—following his appointment on Sunday. He succeeds Sean Dyche, who was dismissed last week despite a productive European campaign where Forest netted 15 goals in eight matches, their highest continental tally since the 1978–79 season.

While the Reds finished 13th in the league phase, they missed automatic qualification by just two points. Meanwhile, Fenerbahçe arrive in formidable form under Domenico Tedesco, having won four consecutive domestic matches. The “Yellow Canaries” finished 19th in the league phase and will rely on a hostile home atmosphere, having never lost consecutive home games in European competition.

Fenerbahçe vs Nottingham Forest – Match preview and team news

Team News

Fenerbahçe

The hosts significantly strengthened their squad with January signings N’Golo Kanté and Matteo Guendouzi, both of whom are expected to start in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Notably, the hosts have collected a competition-high 33 yellow cards in just eight outings. Anderson Talisca and Kerem Aktürkoğlu remain their primary goal threats, though Fenerbahçe have won just one of their last nine matches against English opposition. Archie Brown, Abdou Fall, and Emre Mor remain sidelined.

Nottingham Forest

Vítor Pereira must navigate a long injury list, including Chris Wood (knee), Willy Boly (knee), and goalkeeper Matz Sels (groin). Murillo faces a late fitness test, while Elliot Anderson is expected to start despite disciplinary concerns. Striker Igor Jesus will lead the line, having matched a club record with six Europa League goals this season. Notably, one more goal would set a new individual record for a Forest player in a major European season. New signing Lorenzo Lucca could also make his debut from the bench.

Form

Fenerbahçe

The “Yellow Canaries” have turned their domestic campaign around, riding a four-match winning streak into this tie. Notably, they are looking to break an “English hoodoo” that has seen them claim only one victory in their last nine attempts against Premier League sides. Despite their discipline issues, Fenerbahçe’s new-look midfield featuring Kanté and Guendouzi is designed to dominate central areas and protect a defence that has conceded an average of 1.4 goals per game.

Nottingham Forest

The Reds arrive in Istanbul after back-to-back domestic wins, though their overall recent record stands at just three wins from 13 matches. Notably, Pereira has a history of immediate impact, having won the opening match in each of his last seven managerial roles. Forest’s continental potency has been their saving grace, as they have consistently outscored their expected goals (xG) away from home this season. Stabilising the defence without Boly and Sels will be the primary task for the new manager tonight.

Predicted Lineups

Fenerbahçe Predicted XI: Ederson; Semedo, Skriniar, Oosterwolde, Muldur; Kante, Guendouzi; Nene, Asensio, Akturkoglu; Talisca

Nottingham Forest Predicted XI: Gunn; Aina, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Anderson, Sangare; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus

How to Watch Fenerbahçe vs Nottingham Forest?

The match will be televised live in the UK on TNT Sports 3, with coverage starting at 17:00 GMT. Subscribers can also stream the action via discovery+.

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