Europa League 2025-2026: Nottingham Forest-Porto, the likely lineups

At 9 p.m., the City Ground hosts the Europa League quarterfinal return match between Nottingham Forest and Porto. They will restart from the 1-1 draw in the first leg in Portugal, a result that leaves the qualification discourse wide open: whoever prevails will find the winner of Aston Villa-Bologna in the semifinals. Nottingham Forest is experiencing an up-and-down season, struggling to avoid relegation in the Premier League, but capable of transformation in Europe, where it has already eliminated Fenerbahçe and Midtjylland. In contrast, Francesco Farioli’s Porto are dominating the Primeira Liga and are in an exceptional state of form, thanks to a series of positive results that confirm their solidity. In such a balanced challenge, the field factor may be decisive in determining who deserves to enter the top four of the competition.

Pereira is relying on his best players to take advantage of the field factor and continue the journey. In front of Ortega, the defense will see Milenkovic and Murillo in the center, with Aina and Williams on the flanks. Up front, the talent of Gibbs-White and the speed of Hudson-Odoi will support the lone forward Jesus.

Farioli responds with a much more solid set-up defensively. Diogo Costa will lead the defense, protected by the central pair of Thiago Silva-Bednarek, while the midfield will be entrusted to the direction of Fofana and Rosario. In attack, the trident composed of Gomes, Moffi and Sainz will try to put the opponent’s defense in trouble.

Nottingham Forest-Porto, the likely lineups

Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Aina, Murillo, Milenkovic, Williams; Sangare, Anderson; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus. All. Pereira.

Porto (4-3-3): D. Costa; A. Costa, Silva, Bednarek, Sanusi; Fofana, Rosario, Veiga; Gomes, Moffi, Sainz. All. Farioli.