A new chapter begins for Nottingham Forest on Thursday night as they travel to Istanbul for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League knockout playoff against Fenerbahce. The setting, the intense Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, offers little comfort for a side undergoing managerial upheaval.
Vitor Pereira takes charge of Forest for the first time, stepping into a turbulent campaign that has already seen multiple changes in the dugout. The club currently sit just three points above the Premier League relegation zone, and consistency has been elusive. A recent 3-1 defeat at Leeds United and a frustrating goalless draw at home to Wolves, despite registering 35 shots, ultimately cost Sean Dyche his job.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis moved quickly to appoint Pereira on an 18-month deal, reuniting with a coach he previously worked with at Olympiacos. Pereira’s immediate focus will be stabilising Forest domestically, but Europe provides both distraction and opportunity.
The Tricky Trees finished 13th in the League Phase standings, narrowly missing automatic qualification for the Last 16 despite ending with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Ferencvaros. Across eight matches, they collected four wins, two draws, and two defeats, earning five points on the road.
Encouragingly for the new manager, Pereira has won the opening match of each of his last seven managerial spells, a statistic Forest fans will cling to heading into this daunting away tie. Fenerbahce, meanwhile, approach the playoff against Nottingham Forest with greater domestic stability.
Domenico Tedesco’s side endured a mixed League Phase campaign, winning just one of their final five matches to finish 19th. A narrow home defeat to Aston Villa briefly dented momentum, but the Turkish giants have since responded with four consecutive league victories, scoring 11 goals in the process.
Their 3-2 win over Trabzonspor last weekend preserved an unbeaten run through 22 Super Lig matches and kept them within three points of leaders Galatasaray. With the title race finely poised, confidence in Istanbul is high.
European form at home remains a strength. Fenerbahce claimed seven of their 12 League Phase points at Sukru Saracoglu, and they have rarely suffered back-to-back continental defeats on home soil. While their historical record against English opposition is modest, only four wins from 21 encounters, they have proven capable of springing surprises in Istanbul.
Tactically, this contest may hinge on control and transitions. Forest have often created chances without ruthlessness in front of goal, while Fenerbahce thrive on structured pressing and direct attacking play in front of their passionate crowd. Pereira’s familiarity with Turkish football, having previously managed Fenerbahce, adds an intriguing subplot to the tactical chess match.
With the second leg at the City Ground looming, neither side will want to overcommit. Fenerbahce may push for an early advantage, while Nottingham Forest are likely to prioritise defensive shape and look to strike on counters. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Fenerbahce head into this first leg with a strengthened European squad following the registration of January additions N’Golo Kante, Matteo Guendouzi, and Sidiki Cherif. However, Anthony Musaba and Mert Gunok have not been included in the updated UEFA Europa League list and are therefore unavailable for this tie.
Archie Brown remains sidelined due to a leg injury and will not feature. There are no fresh suspension concerns reported ahead of Thursday’s contest. The midfield is expected to receive a significant boost with the presence of Kante and Guendouzi, both of whom bring experience and ball-winning ability at European level.
They are likely to partner either Fred or Ismail Yuksek in a three-man midfield designed to balance control and defensive stability. In goal, Ederson is expected to start, with a defensive pairing of Milan Skriniar and Jayden Oosterwolde offering protection in central areas.
In attack, Anderson Talisca remains the focal point. The Brazilian forward has scored 21 goals in 35 appearances across all competitions this season and continues to be Fenerbahce’s primary source of end product. Alongside Kerem Akturkoglu, he has accounted for 80 percent of the club’s Europa League goals this term, with both players netting four times. Marco Asensio is expected to provide additional creativity and width from the right flank.
Fenerbahce are projected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation against Nottingham Forest. Ederson Moraes will start in goal. The defensive back four should consist of Nelson Semedo at right-back, Milan Skriniar and Jayden Oosterwolde as the central defenders, and Mert Muldur at left-back.
In midfield, Ismail Yuksek is likely to operate as the deeper-lying holding midfielder, with Matteo Guendouzi and N’Golo Kante playing slightly ahead of him in central roles that combine defensive coverage with forward support.
The front three should feature Marco Asensio on the right wing, Anderson Talisca centrally as the main attacking threat, and Kerem Akturkoglu operating from the left flank, tasked with stretching Nottingham Forest’s defence and cutting inside to support the striker.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Ederson; Semedo, Skriniar, Oosterwolde, Muldur; Yuksek, Guendouzi, Kante; Asensio, Talisca, Akturkoglu
Nottingham Forest travel to Turkey with several injury concerns limiting their options. Chris Wood, Nicolo Savona, John Victor, and Willy Boly are all sidelined with knee injuries, while Matz Sels remains unavailable due to a hip problem. January additions Stefan Ortega and Luca Netz have not been registered in Forest’s updated Europa League squad and are therefore ineligible for this fixture. There are no suspension issues reported ahead of the first leg.
One positive for Vitor Pereira is the availability of new signing Lorenzo Lucca, who has been included in the European squad alongside Omari Hutchinson and Jair Cunha. Lucca is pushing for a starting role in attack, though he faces competition from Igor Jesus, who has been Forest’s most reliable European performer this season with six goals in as many Europa League appearances.
In defence, Morato is expected to retain his place at centre-back alongside Nikola Milenkovic if Murillo fails to recover from a calf injury that has ruled him out of the last two matches. In goal, Angus Gunn is set to make his first European start for Forest since arriving last summer, stepping in due to the unavailability of both Sels and Ortega.
Nottingham Forest are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Fenerbahce. Angus Gunn will start between the posts. The back four should consist of Ola Aina at right-back, Nikola Milenkovic and Morato as the central defensive pairing, and Neco Williams operating at left-back.
In midfield, Elliot Anderson is likely to partner Ibrahim Sangare in a double pivot, combining ball progression with defensive cover. Ahead of them, Dan Ndoye is projected to start on the right wing, Morgan Gibbs-White will occupy the central attacking midfield role, and Callum Hudson-Odoi should feature on the left flank.
Up front, Igor Jesus is expected to lead the line for Nottingham Forest as the central striker against Fenerbahce, tasked with providing movement and clinical finishing in what promises to be a demanding away encounter.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Gunn; Aina, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Anderson, Sangare; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus
Morgan Gibbs-White will carry much of Nottingham Forest’s creative responsibility in what promises to be a high-intensity first leg in Istanbul. Operating as the central attacking midfielder, he is the player most capable of linking midfield and attack while injecting tempo into Forest’s transitions.
Technically sharp and comfortable under pressure, Gibbs-White thrives when drifting into pockets between the lines. His ability to receive on the half-turn and accelerate into space could be crucial against a Fenerbahce midfield that is both physical and disciplined. Beyond his creativity, he also offers a threat from set pieces and late runs into the box, assets that may prove decisive in a tight knockout encounter.
With Nottingham Forest entering a new managerial era under Vitor Pereira, Gibbs-White’s leadership and composure in possession will be central to how effectively the visitors impose themselves in a challenging environment.
The atmosphere at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium is likely to play a major role in this first leg. Fenerbahce’s domestic momentum, midfield strength, and attacking efficiency, particularly through Anderson Talisca, give them a slight advantage on home soil.
Nottingham Forest may benefit from the fresh energy of a new managerial era, and their counter-attacking potential through Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus cannot be overlooked. However, adapting to a hostile European away environment while dealing with key absences could prove difficult. Expect Forest to remain competitive, but Fenerbahce’s cohesion and home intensity should tip the balance.
