The Round 7 match of the group stage of the Europa League 2025/26 between Sporting Clube de Braga (Portugal) and Nottingham Forest (England) will take place on 22 january at Estádio Municipal de Braga. Sporting Clube de Braga vs Nottingham Forest: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Sporting Clube de Braga
Sporting Clube de Braga recovered an away win over Nice in the last round with a 1:0 scoreline. The home side have now recorded their fourth victory in the group stage, and all wins came without conceding. With 13 points the club secured a place among the top eight. If the home side avoid defeat in this match, they will guarantee participation in the play-offs. It is also worth noting that the club has suffered only one defeat in its last 13 Europa League matches (9 wins and 3 draws).
- The club kept a clean sheet in 9 of their last 13 games in this European competition.
- At their stadium Sporting Clube de Braga won 6 of their previous 8 Europa League matches (1 draw and 1 defeat).
- At least one team failed to score in 6 of the home side’s last 8 matches in this tournament.
Potential Sporting Clube de Braga Lineup (3-4-3)*
Lukáš Horníček – Gustav Lagerbielke, Sékou Niakaté, Vítor Carvalho – João Moutinho, Florian Grillitsch, Mário Dorgeles, Leonardo Lelo – Ricardo Horta, Rodrigo Salazar, Pau Victor.
The midfielder Rodrigo Salazar is suspended, while forwards Amin El‑Wazani and Sandro Vidigal are sidelined due to injuries.
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest come into the upcoming fixture on a four‑match unbeaten run in the Europa League, with 3 wins and 1 draw, and the club won both of their last two matches. First they thrashed Malmö 3:0 at home, then they beat Utrecht 2:1 away. In the group stage the visiting team sit in 11th place overall, and a victory in this round would most likely secure their place in the play-offs.
- In six matches in this European competition the visitors avoided defeat 5 times (3 wins and 2 draws).
- At least two goals were scored in 5 of Nottingham Forest’s previous 6 games in this tournament.
- The club did not concede in the second 45 minutes in their last five Europa League matches (3 wins and 2 draws).
Potential Nottingham Forest Lineup (4-5-1)*
Matz Sels – Ola Aina, Murillo, Nikola Milenković, Neco Williams – Nicolás Domínguez, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs‑White, Ibrahima Sangaré, Callum Hudson‑Odoi – Igor Jesus.
The squad have forward Chris Wood and goalkeeper John Victor in the treatment room. Defender Oleksandr Zinchenko will spend the rest of the season on loan at Ajax.
Referee
Igor Pajač (Croatia)
Matches – 13 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow/Red Cards Shown (including second yellows) – 47;
Average Yellow Cards Per Match – 3.6;
Red Cards Shown – 1;
Fouls Per Match Average – 23;
Penalties – 15%.
Sporting Clube de Braga vs Nottingham Forest: Match Prediction
It is hard to give clear preference to either side in this encounter. The home side play excellently at their arena, rarely lose, and score consistently, and they are determined to finish in the top eight of the current group stage. Nottingham Forest also want to avoid additional matches in the round of 32, so they will try to win this fixture as well. Moreover, the visiting team appear unlikely to reach at least the top half of the Premier League table, so they may focus their efforts on winning a European trophy.
Sporting Clube de Braga found the net in 10 of their last 11 home matches in this European competition. Nottingham Forest have played only six Europa League matches and failed to score in just one game. Therefore we suggest paying attention to both teams scoring in this matchup.
Prediction: Both teams to score
* The starting lineup listed for each team is taken from their previous match.
