Nottingham Forest face a tough trip to Istanbul on Thursday as they take on Fenerbahce in the first leg of their Europa League playoff tie.
Nottingham Forest are remarkably now on their fourth manager of the season, following Sean Dyche’s sacking last week after their goalless draw at home to rock-bottom Wolves in the Premier League, on an evening in which I landed a 10/11 winner.
That result means the Tricky Trees remain in 17th position in the Premier League table, just three points above the relegation zone.
Vitor Pereira, who had two spells in charge of Fenerbahce, will hope to build on Forest’s decent form in Europe in his first game in charge, with their 4-0 thrashing of Ferencvaros on MD8 making it three wins from their last four in Europe (W3-D0-L1), but that defeat did come in their last away match at Braga.
Fenerbahce maintained their unbeaten record in the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday as they edged a five-goal thriller away at third-placed Trabzonspor, meaning they remain just three points behind leaders Galatasaray.
However, The Yellow Canaries’ recent form in Europe hasn’t been great, with Domenico Tedesco’s men winning just one of their final five league phase matches (W1-D3-L1), with that loss coming at home against Premier League opposition in the form of Aston Villa.
How the bookies view it: Fenerbahce favourites
Fenerbahce are favourites to take a first-leg lead to the City Ground next week, with bet365 pricing a home success at 13/10.
Nottingham Forest are 11/5 to make it a winning start under Pereira, whilst the draw is 23/10.
Head to head: First-ever meeting
Thursday evening will be the first time these two clubs have met in a competitive fixture.
Players to watch: Look to Akturkoglu
Kerem Akturkoglu followed up his brace against Genclerbirligi by scoring one and providing another in their success away at Trabzonspor at the weekend.
The Turkish international also has four goals and an assist across his seven appearances in the Europa League this term, and the 11/10 on offer at bet365 for him to Score or Assist on Thursday night appeals to me.
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Predicted line-ups:
Archie Brown remains a doubt for Fenerbahce, whilst new signings Anthony Musaba and Mert Gunok are ineligible.
Nottingham Forest will be without the injured Matz Sels, John Victor, Willy Boly, Nicola Savona and Chris Wood, Murillo is a doubt, and new signings Stefan Ortega and Luca Netz are ineligible.
Fenerbahce: Emerson, Semenyo, Skriniar, Oosterwolde, Muldur, Guendouzi, Kante, Yuksek, Asensio, Akturkoglu, Talisca
Nottingham Forest: Gunn, Aina, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams, Sangare, Anderson, Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Jesus
Anything else catch the eye?
Nottingham Forest head to Istanbul having won three of their last four and four of their past six European contests, but only one of those victories came away from home, and I feel they may come unstuck against their in-form hosts.
The Yellow Canaries have won just one of their past five Europa League fixtures, but Domenico Tedesco’s men have lost just once at home domestically and in Europe all season (W10-D5-L1), including wins over Stuttgart and Nice in the league phase.
Aston Villa did win here last month, but they are having a far better season than Forest, meaning I’m leaning towards a Fenerbahce victory.
GambleAware