Braga vs Nottingham Forest prediction, odds & betting tips 22/01/2026
Can Sean Dyche guide Forest to victory? - Photo by IMAGO / Sportimage
🔥 Our Hot tip

Braga to win

Braga have won three out of their last four home matches in all competitions.

Braga will take on Nottingham Forest in the Europa League on Thursday night, with both teams still in the hunt for a top eight finish.

With elimination off the cards for both, there is no reason for either manager to take a back seat for this one, which should set us up for a thrilling encounter in Portugal.

The hosts more than likely only need to win one of their final two matches to book their place in the Round of 16, while Forest will need positive results in both of theirs.

As part of this week's round of Europa League betting tips, check out our Braga vs Nottingham Forest prediction below.

Braga vs Nottingham Forest prediction: The hosts to get the job done

Key Stats

  • Braga have won two of their three European home matches this season.
  • Nottingham Forest have lost five of their last seven matches in all competitions.
  • Both teams have scored in five of Braga's last six matches.

Correct score prediction: Braga 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Braga are in better form than Nottingham Forest, and when you have two squads that are evenly matched, that can make all the difference. Sean Dyche's men have been particularly poor on the road this season, so they won't be looking forward to this trip.

Pre-game odds and win probability: Too close to call

  • HOME: 17/10 (2.70) – 37%
  • DRAW: 12/5 (3.40) 29.4%
  • AWAY: 6/4 (2.50) – 40%

*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change

The Braga vs Nottingham Forest odds are a little surprising in that the visitors are considered the marginal favourites. Ladbrokes have given Braga just a 37% chance of winning the match, while Forest have been given a 40% chance of victory.

You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.

Most recent H2Hs: A first-ever competitive meeting

This will be the first time that Braga and Nottingham Forest have ever met in a competitive fixture, which adds something extra to the clash. They did meet in a friendly back in 2016, which the English side won 3-0.

Braga preview: Star man ruled out

Braga are set to be without Rodrigo Zalazar for this one, with the forward set to serve the final game of his suspension following a red card earlier in the campaign. Elsewhere, the Portuguese side are without Amine El Oouzaani, Sandro Vidigal and Samy Merheg.  

Predicted lineup: Hornicek (GK), Lagerbielke, Carvalho, Niakate, Dorgeles, Grillitsch, Moutinho, Lelo, Victor, Martinez, Horta

Last five results

  • Tondela 0-1 Braga
  • Fafe 2-1 Braga
  • Guimaraes 2-1 Braga
  • Benfica 1-3 Braga
  • Estrela 3-3 Braga

Nottingham Forest preview: Several players ruled ineligible

Several players that Sean Dyche has relied on during his short time at Nottingham Forest are unavailable for selection here, as they weren't named in the Nottingham Forest Europa League squad before Dyche's appointment. This list includes Ola Aina, Omari Hutchinson and Taiwo Awoniyi. Meanwhile, Chris Wood and John Victor are still injured.

Predicted lineup: Sels (GK), Savona, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams, Luiz, Anderson, ,Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Jesus

Last five results

  • Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
  • Wrexham 4-3 Nottingham Forest
  • West Ham 1-2 Nottingham Forest
  • Aston Villa 3-1 Nottingham Forest
  • Nottingham Forest 0-2 Everton

Player to watch: Morgan Gibbs-White

Morgan Gibbs-White
Morgan Gibbs-White – Photo by IMAGO/ Nurphoto

Despite signing a new deal at the City Ground in the summer, there is still speculation around the future of Morgan Gibbs-White, who has not looked like usual self for large parts of the season. He is the type of player who can turn it on at the click of his fingers, though, so it would not be a surprise if he sprang into life in Portugal on Thursday night.

europa league predictions

Andy is a freelance Sports Journalist with ten years of experience covering football in the United Kingdom and abroad for various publications including the Manchester Evening News, UtdReport and Football Whispers. Andy also has a keen interest in basketball, cricket, golf and tennis and has covered major sporting events such as the Masters in Augusta.