
Forest have sacked coach Ange Postecoglou with Sean Dyche taking over. The hosts have won just twice in 17 matches.
Match: Nottingham Forest v Porto
When: Wednesday, 22 Oct 2025
Nottingham Forest Form
Forest are in dire form with just two wins in 17 matches going back to last season. The first 29 league matches of last term saw 17 wins. The 2024-25 season petered out, and this season has seen that poor form continue. After winning on the opening day, they lost 3-0 at home to West Ham and sacked Nuno Espirito Santo.
Ange Postecoglou took over and failed to win any of his eight matches in charge. He was dismissed after this streak of negative results. A 1-0 home loss to Sunderland was followed by a 3-2 loss in Europe at home to Midtjylland. They lost 2-0 at Newcastle and 3-0 at home to Chelsea on Saturday, despite putting up 2.35 xG.
Nottingham Forest Team News
New coach Sean Dyche looks certain to recall Chris Wood to the XI. The pair worked together at Burnley. Ola Aina is ruled out with a long-term hamstring injury. Nicolas Dominguez could play some part after an injury.
Dyche could recall Callum Hudson-Odoi to the side. There could be some rotation with talented youngsters like Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee getting some minutes.
Nottingham Forest Motivation
Forest need a win from this match. Their home form is very poor and any sort of victory would be a great result.
Dyche favours a solid defensive setup. His side won’t care about possession numbers, but will instead be focused on team shape and getting balls into the box.
Porto Form
The Dragons sit top of the Portuguese Liga with seven wins and a draw from eight matches. They won their first six matches of the season before a 1-0 victory at Salzburg with a winner in the 93rd minute.
Porto won 4-0 at Arouca despite playing 42 minutes with ten men. A 2-1 home win over Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League saw an 89th-minute winner. A 0-0 home stalemate with Jose Mourinho’s Benfica was followed by a 4-0 win at Celoricense in a Cup game on Saturday as Samuel Aghehowa netted a hat-trick.
Porto Team News
Centre back Nehuén Pérez is out injured. Veteran Dutch striker Luuk de Jong has missed eight weeks of action and remains a serious doubt.
Coach Francesco Farioli played his best XI in the cup. Jakub Kiwior and Jan Bednarek will form an experienced, all-Polish duo at the back. Samuel Aghehowa has scored six goals this season and is the key man.
Porto Motivation
Porto won’t go to the City Ground with any fear. They have six points from six and will note Forest’s poor record at home.
Farioli is an attacking coach and will want his team to stamp their authority on this match.
Key Stats
- Nottingham Forest have lost 12 of their last 20 matches
- Nottingham Forest have lost 8 of their last 10 home matches
- FC Porto have won 10 of their last matches this season
- Porto’s Samuel Aghehowa has scored 6 goals this season
Verdict
Forest are struggling and face Porto at the wrong time. Both sides should score and Porto are backed to avoid defeat in this one.
Best Bet: Porto win/draw at 1.57
Alternate Bet: Porto win/draw and Both Teams to Score at 2.65
Value Bet: Porto win at 2.96
Anytime Goalscorer Tip: Samuel Aghehowa at 2.85 or Chris Wood at 2.75
