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26th Feb. UEFA Europa League---Nottingham Forest VS Fenerbahce Prediction
UEFA Europa League - Nottingham Forest VS Fenerbahce
Match Time:27-02-2026 04:00 Friday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Team News
Nottingham Forest take a commanding 3-0 lead into this UEFA Europa League knockout playoff second leg and are in buoyant mood at the City Ground. Vitor Pereira’s side have been solid at home in Europe and come into this on the back of a strong domestic run. However, injuries continue to bite: Chris Wood, Nicolo Savona, John Victor, Willy Boly (all knee) and Matz Sels (groin) remain sidelined, while January signing Luca Netz is ineligible for the competition. Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega is expected to start in place of Sels. Expect a 4-2-3-1 with Ola Aina, Nikola Milenković, Murillo and Neco Williams at the back, Elliot Anderson and Ibrahim Sangaré anchoring midfield, and an attacking trio featuring Omari Hutchinson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi supporting Igor Jesus up top. Forest will look to control the game, press high and kill the tie early with quick transitions and set-piece threat.
Fenerbahce face an uphill task after the first-leg hammering and arrive with a decimated squad. Domenico Tedesco is without at least seven key players: suspended Fred and Jayden Oosterwolde (also groin injury), plus injuries to Milan Škriniar (adductor), Çağlar Söyüncü (muscle/back), Anderson Talisca (hamstring), Ederson (hamstring) and Edson Álvarez (ankle surgery). Only one natural centre-back (Yiğit Efe) is available, forcing emergency reshuffles with Mert Müldür or Matteo Guendouzi possible at the back. Anthony Musaba and Mert Günok are also ineligible. Expect a patched-up 4-2-3-1 or 5-3-2 with a makeshift defence, midfield grit from available players and forwards relying on Sebastian Szymański, Dusan Tadić or En-Nesyri for any counter threat. Fenerbahce will sit deep, frustrate and hope for a miracle on the break.
Head to Head Analysis
This is only the second competitive meeting between the clubs. In the first leg in Istanbul on 19 February, Nottingham Forest produced a stunning 3-0 victory, exposing Fenerbahce’s defensive frailties and showing superior organisation and finishing. Historically the fixture is rare, but Forest have never lost to Fenerbahce. At the City Ground, Forest have been formidable in European ties against similar-level sides, winning their last six home Europa League games with an aggregate score heavily in their favour. Matches involving Fenerbahce away in England have been tough for the Turkish side (winless in their last 10 away games on English soil). Expect Forest to dominate possession (60%+) and create high-quality chances through wide overloads and set pieces, while Fenerbahce sit compact but lack the depth and quality to sustain pressure for 90 minutes.
Prediction
Forest hold a three-goal advantage and play at a venue where they are extremely difficult to beat in Europe. With Fenerbahce missing a host of key defenders, midfielders and attackers, the Turkish side lack the resources to mount a comeback. Pereira’s men should control the tempo from the start, score early through Gibbs-White creativity or Jesus finishing and cruise to a comfortable victory that seals progression to the last 16. Fenerbahce may threaten on a rare counter or set piece, but their depleted squad and poor away record in England point to struggle. This should be a professional, controlled performance from the hosts with multiple goals and minimal concessions.
Final Prediction: Nottingham Forest win 2-0 (or 3-1). Comfortable home victory – around 75% confidence in a Forest win, with over 2.5 goals likely as the tie opens up.
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