The second-leg play-off match of the 2025/26 Europa League between Nottingham Forest (England) and Fenerbahce (Turkey) will take place on 26 February at the City Ground. The score in the first leg was 3:0 in favour of Nottingham Forest. Nottingham Forest vs Fenerbahce: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest’s first European campaign of the 21st century has been going extremely well so far. The club dealt with the Turkish side surprisingly comfortably away from home, scoring three unanswered goals by the 50th minute (3:0). Now, to reach the Europa League round of 16, the home team simply need to avoid losing by more than two goals. Interestingly, Nottingham Forest have won back-to-back matches in this competition by a big margin – in matchday eight of the league phase, the hosts thrashed Ferencvaros at home (4:0).
- Nottingham Forest have avoided defeat in 6 of their last 7 Europa League matches (5 wins and 1 draw).
- At least one of the two teams failed to score in 6 of Nottingham Forest’s last 7 matches in this tournament.
- The club have won to nil in their last three home matches in this competition.
Potential Nottingham Forest Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Stefan Ortega – Ola Aina, Neco Williams, Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo – Elliot Anderson, Ibrahim Sangare – Callum Hudson-Odoi, Morgan Gibbs-White, Omari Hutchinson – Igor Jesus.
Nottingham Forest’s injury list includes striker Chris Wood, defenders Nicola Savona and Willy Boly, and goalkeepers Matz Sels and John Victor.
Fenerbahce
Fenerbahce have previously reached the round of 16 in this competition three times, and in the 2012/13 season even made it to the semi-finals. However, judging by the first-leg result, matching or improving on those achievements looks unlikely this time. In a fairly even match, the Istanbul side were far less clinical with their chances and ultimately lost on the scoreboard (0:3), as well as on xG (0.47:2.73) and shots (6:23). To take the tie at least into extra time, the away team will have to win in England by a three-goal margin. Yet in this tournament, the club are now without a win in three straight matches (1 draw and 2 defeats).
- In their last six Europa League matches, Fenerbahce have recorded just one win (3 draws and 2 defeats).
- At least one of the two teams failed to score in 5 of Fenerbahce’s last 7 matches in this tournament.
- Away from home, the Istanbul side have avoided defeat in 7 of their last 8 matches in this competition (3 wins and 4 draws).
Potential Fenerbahce Lineup (4-3-3)*
Ederson Moraes – Mert Mulduer, Milan Skriniar, Jayden Oosterwolde, Nelson Semedo – Ngolo Kante, Matteo Guendouzi, Kerem Akturkoglu – Sidiki Cherif, Talisca, Marco Asensio.
Defenders Archie Brown and Munir Levent are sidelined through injury. Defender Jayden Oosterwolde and midfielder Fred will miss out through suspension.
Referee
Maurizio Mariani (Italy)
Matches – 6 (international matches, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 22;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.7;
Red cards shown – 1;
Fouls per match on average – 19;
Penalties – 0%.
Nottingham Forest vs Fenerbahce: Match Prediction
We were struck by how easily the English side dealt with a strong Istanbul club in the first leg. And that was despite Nottingham Forest’s problems in the domestic league and the constant changes on the touchline. Vitor Pereira’s debut as head coach was very successful. It is quite possible that in the second leg his players will again impress with their intent in the final third, a wave of attacks, and plenty of shots at goal. We expect the crowd at the City Ground to see at least three goals.
Nottingham Forest have been excellent at home in Europe, having won their last three matches on their own ground in this competition. The club have won all of those games, and in all four home matches they have scored at least two goals. There have been three or more goals in 3 of Nottingham Forest’s 4 home matches in the Europa League. The Turks look far more convincing away from home. In their last eight away matches in this competition, Fenerbahce have suffered only one defeat, while scoring in 9 of their last 10 away games in the Europa League. Most likely, the Istanbul side will find the net in England too, especially with their opponents likely to be a little more relaxed.
Prediction: Over 2.5 goals
* For each team, the starting XI from their previous match in this tournament is listed.
