Nottingham Forest vs Porto Prediction, Betting Pick, Latest Europa League Odds for Thursday, April 16th
The Europa League quarter-final second leg sees Nottingham Forest host Porto at the City Ground on Thursday, 16th April 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 3:00 PM EDT. With the tie finely poised at 1-1 after the first leg in Portugal, both sides will be vying for a place in the semi-finals in what promises to be a tense European encounter.
OC Staff - April 16, 2026, 1:00 PM EDT
3 Minute ReadNottingham Forest vs Porto: Lineups, Team News and Prediction
The Europa League quarter-final second leg sees Nottingham Forest host Porto at the City Ground on Thursday, 16th April 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 3:00 PM EDT. With the tie finely poised at 1-1 after the first leg in Portugal, both sides will be vying for a place in the semi-finals in what promises to be a tense European encounter.
Nottingham Forest vs Porto Form
Nottingham Forest come into this crucial second leg on the back of a 1-1 draw at home against Aston Villa in the Premier League. This result followed their 1-1 draw in the first leg of this tie against Porto. Looking at their last six outings across all competitions, the Reds have endured a mixed run, securing one win, three draws (including a penalty shootout victory in the Europa League against FC Midtjylland), and two losses. Their recent form suggests a struggle for consistent victories, particularly in front of their home crowd.
Porto, on the other hand, arrive with slightly better momentum. Their last domestic match saw them claim a comfortable 3-1 away victory over Estoril in Liga Portugal, a strong response to the 1-1 draw they played out with Forest in the first leg. The Dragões have been in impressive form recently, remaining unbeaten in their last eight matches across all competitions, with their last six games yielding four wins and two draws.
Nottingham Forest vs Porto Head to Head
The recent history between these two clubs is limited but intriguing. The most recent fixture, the first leg of this quarter-final, ended in a 1-1 stalemate in Portugal. Prior to that, the two sides met earlier in the same Europa League season during the group stage, where Nottingham Forest secured a notable 2-0 victory over Porto at the City Ground. With only two previous meetings between them, there isn't a comprehensive head-to-head record to draw extensive conclusions from, but Forest will take confidence from their earlier home win.
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Nottingham Forest vs Porto Odds
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Nottingham Forest vs Porto Probable Lineups
Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1):
- Goalkeeper: Sels
- Defenders: Williams, Murillo, Milenkovic, Aina
- Midfielders: Sangaré, Anderson
- Attacking Midfielders: Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Hutchinson
- Forward: Jesus
Porto (4-3-3):
- Goalkeeper: Costa
- Defenders: Sanusi, Bednarek, Silva, Costa
- Midfielders: Veiga, Rosario, Fofana
- Forwards: Sainz, Moffi, Gomes
Nottingham Forest vs Porto Team News
Nottingham Forest face a significant challenge with several first-team players sidelined. Jair Cunha, J. Victor, N. Savona, and Willy Boly are all confirmed absentees due to injury, which will test the depth of their squad, particularly in defence. Forest’s attacking hopes will largely rest on the shoulders of Igor Jesus, whose seven Europa League goals this season highlight his crucial role. Support will also be expected from Morgan Gibbs-White, whose creativity is central to their offensive play, alongside the pace of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Omari Hutchinson. However, a persistent issue for Forest has been their inability to score more than once in any of their last seven home matches, pointing to a lack of a clinical edge. The midfield duo of Ibrahim Sangaré and Elliot Anderson will be tasked with disrupting Porto's rhythm.
Porto also arrive with their own injury concerns, as Martim Fernandes, O. Pietuszewski, N. Pérez, Luuk de Jong, and S. Aghehowa are all injured. Despite these setbacks, the Dragões have shown strong recent form, largely due to their structured possession and early offensive thrust. William Gomes, who scored in the first leg, has been a key figure, with three of his four Europa League goals coming within the opening 25 minutes. He is ably supported by Borja Sainz and Terem Moffi, while Seko Fofana and Gabri Veiga provide midfield drive. Historically, however, Porto have struggled in second legs of major European competitions, winning just four of their last 22 such ties, a statistic that could play on their minds.
Nottingham Forest vs Porto Match Facts
No specific match facts were provided in the data for this fixture.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Porto
The first leg offered a glimpse into what should be another tightly contested affair, with William Gomes' early strike for Porto being swiftly cancelled out by an unfortunate own goal. Nottingham Forest will be looking to leverage their home advantage, though their recent record at the City Ground in the Europa League is concerning, having lost three home games this season. Another defeat would set an unwanted record for an English side.
However, historical precedent offers a glimmer of hope for the hosts, who famously defeated Porto 2-0 in the group stage. Furthermore, Porto have never secured an away victory against English opposition in European competition, with a record of three draws and 21 losses. This historical struggle in England, coupled with their tendency to falter in European second legs, could create an opening for Forest.
Ultimately, both teams possess strengths and weaknesses that could cancel each other out. Forest's attacking reliance on Igor Jesus and their struggle for consistent home goals will be tested against Porto's organised defence and early attacking impetus. Given the evenly matched nature of the tie and Porto's historical difficulties in England, another draw seems a highly probable outcome, pushing this tie into extra time or even penalties.
Best Bet: Draw Click here to get the best odds at Draftkings Sportsbook
Considering the 1-1 scoreline prediction and the analysis highlighting the tight nature of this fixture, a Draw offers a compelling betting angle. Both teams have shown an ability to score and concede, but with so much on the line and Porto's historical struggles away to English teams, neither side is expected to run away with it. A draw in regular time, forcing the game into extra time or penalties, aligns well with the narrative of a finely balanced contest.
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