Fenerbahce vs Nottingham Forest – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Forest have appointed Vitor Pereira as their new coach this week. Fenerbahce have lost just two of their last 28 matches.

Fenerbahce Form

Fenerbahce were on a 16-match unbeaten run before losing 2-1 to Besiktas in the Turkish Super Cup in December. They responded with four straight wins before losing 1-0 at home to Aston Villa a month ago.

A 1-1 home draw vs Goztepe and a 1-1 Europa League draw in Romania vs FCSB followed. They come into this match on a four-match winning streak. A 2-0 victory at Kocaelispor was followed by a 3-1 home win over Erzurumspor. They beat Genclerbirligi 3-1 and Trabzonspor 3-2 in tow fine league victories.

Fenerbahce Team News

Left back Archie Brown is ruled out for this match. Edson Alvarez has missed the last two matches in midfield due to a knee injury. He remains doubtful.

Fenerbahce are packed with high-profile players. N’Golo Kante and Marco Asensio will be key men in midfield. Ederson will play in goal.

Fenerbahce Motivation

With many players boasting EPL experience, Fenerbahce will be eager to impress. They will want a first-leg win so they can take a cushion to England next week.

An attacking approach is expected in a 4-4-2 diamond shape. Coach Domenico Tedesco plays an open, exciting brand of football.

Nottingham Forest Form

Forest sacked Sean Dyche after their last league match. The experienced coach oversaw 18 league matches in charge with six wins and 22 points accrued. That was the 12^th most points in the division in that time. His final game in charge saw a 0-0 home draw vs Wolves where they put up 35 shots and 2.55 xG.

Results were a mixed bag before that. A loss on penalties to Wrexham in the FA Cup preceded a fine 0-0 home draw vs Arsenal. They lost 1-0 at Braga in the Europa League but won 2-0 at high-flying Brentford in the league. Forest smashed Ferencvaros 4-0 before a 1-1 home draw vs Crystal Palace. Their penultimate match saw a 3-1 loss at Leeds in a crunch relegation tussle.

Nottingham Forest Team News

Chris Wood remains absent with a serious knee injury. Willy Boly is injured in defence but Murillo should shake off a knock to play in this match.

Matz Sels is injured in goal so Stefan Ortega Moreno will play in goal. Nicolo Savona needs a late fitness test. New coach Vítor Pereira could rotate his side to get a look at a few fringe players, such as James McAtee and Ryan Yates.

Nottingham Forest Motivation

Forest have Liverpool on Saturday at home. Their fight against relegation is higher priority than the Europa League right now.

They will try to win this first leg, but they won’t risk injuries or fatigue to do it.

Key Stats

• Fenerbahce have won 15 of their last 23 home matches (2 losses)
• Fenerbahce have seen 13 goals in their last 3 matches (scored 9, conceded 4)
• Nottingham Forest have lost 5 of their last 9 away matches
• Forest have won 1 of their last 4 away Europa League matches (2 draws)

Verdict

This should be an exciting match with goals from both teams. The hosts are backed for a first-leg win, especially if Forest rotate their XI.

Best Bet: Both Teams to Score at 1.70

Value Bet: Fenerbahce win and Both Teams to Score at 4.20