PREVIEW: Nottingham Forest host Porto with first European semi final in over four decades in sight | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest target their first European semi final in over 40 years by breaking the deadlock in their Europa League quarter final second leg against Porto at the City Ground.

The reverse fixture in Portugal ended 1-1 due to Martim Fernandes’ spectacular own goal, with too much on the back pass towards goalkeeper Diogo Gomes handing Vitor Pereira’s side a lifeline after going behind.

Thursday’s fixture gives Forest a huge chance to go within one step of the final in Istanbul for the first time since 1984 and find a much needed boost to achieve Premier League safety, while the visitors could further establish themselves on the European stage as a side to be feared considering their imperious league form.

Since he took charge at the City Ground, Pereira has won just one of his 11 Premier League matches but he has won two of his five Europa League matches this season – battling to a 4-2 aggregate win over Fenerbahçe in the playoff round.

It’s been a tumultuous campaign for Forest, hiring four different managers including Pereira. Coupled with trying to juggle their European ambitions with premier League survival, the Tricky Trees sit three points above the drop in 17th place.

The hosts will be boosted by the return of England international Elliot Anderson, who missed the first leg serving a suspension for his red card against Braga.

Yet they aren’t free of injuries, with defenders Nicolo Savona, Wily Boly and Jair Cunha are all expected to miss the rest of the season with knee injuries. Goalkeeper John Victor is also ruled out.

In contrast to Forest’s lowly league position, Porto sit five points clear at the top of Liga Portugal having lost just one game all season, they’re in a tightly contested title race with Sporting Lisbon who themselves have also lost just once.

But the winners from 2011 haven’t gone beyond the quarter finals since, losing to Roma in the playoff round last season.

Francisco Farioli’s side head into the second leg after a strong 3-1 win at Estoril Praia, with their 4-1 victory over Stuttgart in the round of 16 showing not only their attacking talent but their ability to adapt in game.

Porto avoided a complicated route into the knockouts having finished fifth, losing just once in their eight group stage games.

Their veteran striker Luuk de Jong is still missing from first team action, while Martim Fernandes and Samú are also unavailable. Argentinian defender Nehuen Perez is also missing after sustaining a knee issue.