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Nottingham Forest's European adventure will continue this week when they take on Porto in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals.
The two teams will go head-to-head at the Estadio do Dragao on Thursday, 9 April, in what will be their second meeting of the season, following a league phase clash at the City Ground back in October.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our Today's betting tips page for more of our free expert UEFA Europa League predictions.
Contents
Porto vs Nottingham Forest key stats
- Porto have won all five of their home Europa League matches this season.
- Nottingham Forest have lost two of their last three European matches.
- Both teams have scored in four of Porto's last six matches in all competitions.
Porto vs Nottingham Forest preview: Hosts to have too much for Forest
| Porto | vs | Nottingham Forest |
|---|---|---|
| 1st (Primeira Liga) | Position | 16th (Premier League) |
| 73 | Points | 32 |
| 56 | Goals For | 31 |
| 13 | Goals Against | 43 |
| 18 | Clean Sheets | 8 |
| 1st | Home Rank | 16th |
| 1st | Away Rank | 11th |
Porto are enjoying a brilliant campaign, with Francesco Farioli looking to guide the Dragons to their first league title since 2022 and their first European triumph since 2011.
The young Italian has been a revelation in his debut season in the Porto hotseat, and if the season ends with a memorable double, then there is every chance that we will be hearing and perhaps seeing more of him in the very near future.
For all of their good work this season, Porto did slump to a shock 2-2 home draw with Famalicao at the weekend, a result which will give Nottingham Forest plenty of hope on Thursday night. On the flip side, the Portuguese side have won each of their last three Europa League fixtures, which has helped them to become the tournament's second-favourites behind Aston Villa.
The last time Porto had an unbeaten home record in Europa League, they won it.
For the match against Nottingham Forest, Farioli will be unable to call upon the services of Porto's top goalcorer, Samu Aghehowa. Luuk de Jong, who would have been a suitable replacement, is also out with a long-term knee injury.
As for Nottingham Forest, Vitor Pereira has certainly brought back the feel-good factor to the City Ground in recent weeks.
The two-legged victory over FC Midtjylland was huge, and is the reason why they are playing in Portugal on Thursday night. The follow-up 3-0 win away at Tottenham in the Premier League was even more impressive.
Nottingham Forest have never won away in Portugal before.
The one thing that has gone against them since that victory in North London is the extended break they have just endured. All the momentum from those two wins has now likely evaporated, which is hardly ideal ahead of a testing away match in Porto.
Pereira is also missing some key players for the match on Thursday night. Elliot Anderson, who is being tipped for a big-money move this summer, is suspended, while Omari Hutchinson, Willy Boly, Jair Cunha, Ola Aina, John Victor and Nicolo Savona are all injured.
Porto vs Nottingham Forest form guide & betting tips
| Porto | vs | Nottingham Forest |
|---|---|---|
| W-W-W-W-D | Form | D-L-D-W-W |
| 11 | Goals For | 7 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 4 |
| W-W-W | Europa League | L-L-W |
Whispers predicts: Porto 3-1 Nottingham Forest
Porto have been excellent at the Estadio do Dragao all season, losing just the once here in all competitions. Three of their last four matches on home soil have been won by a margin of two or more goals, and they are priced at 16/5 to win with a -1.5 handicap on Thursday.
Both teams to score is a solid bet for Thursday night. Four of Porto's last five European outings have seen goals go in at both ends, and BTTS is priced at 19/20.
With Samu Aghehowa out, Porto's most likely goalscorer on Thursday will be William Gomes, who has scored three goals in his last four appearances. Gomes is priced at 10/3 to score anytime on Thursday.
> Porto to win with a -1.5 handicap at 16/5 | Likelihood: Outsider
> BTTS at 19/20 | Likelihood: Probable
> William Gomes to score anytime at 10/3 | Likelihood: Possible