Nottingham Forest vs Midtjylland Preview

• Match nul ou victoire de Forest
• Plus de 3,5 buts

Nottingham Forest return to European action at the City Ground for the first time since 1996, aiming to get their Europa League campaign up and running against in-form Danish side Midtjylland. Ange Postecoglou, who guided Forest to glory in this very competition last season, is under mounting pressure to secure his first win in charge after a miserable start to life at the helm. Meanwhile, Midtjylland arrive on the back of a strong run of form and with history on their side in Europe, making this a fascinating contest.

It has been a tough start for Ange Postecoglou in Nottingham. Despite his reputation for building competitive sides, the Australian manager has become the first permanent Forest boss since the 19th century to go winless in his opening five matches (D2, L3). This slump extends to a seven-game winless streak across all competitions (D3, L4), raising concerns among supporters who expected the defending Europa League champions to make a stronger start.

Forest’s European opener at least brought some positives. Their 2-2 draw with Real Betis was an entertaining contest that showed resilience, but the City Ground has not been a fortress of late. The Tricky Trees have lost five of their last seven matches at home without scoring (W1, D1, L5). As they prepare for their first European home game since March 1996, Postecoglou must rally his players to turn the tide and restore belief among the fanbase.

Unlike their hosts, Midtjylland arrive full of confidence. Their 2-1 comeback victory over Randers on Monday night marked their fourth straight win in all competitions, and their European campaign has been nothing short of historic. The Wolves are enjoying their longest-ever European winning streak (W6), having battled through three qualifying rounds before defeating Sturm Graz 2-0 on matchday one.

Notably, Midtjylland won all three of their away qualifiers, demonstrating their ability to handle pressure on the road. Their form mirrors last season’s run, when they reached the knockout play-off round, and Mike Tullberg’s men now look well-placed to take another step forward in Europe.

Historique du face-à-face

This will be the first-ever meeting between Nottingham Forest and Midtjylland.

It is also Forest’s maiden encounter against Danish opposition. For Midtjylland, this is not their first brush with English sides. They have recorded one victory in four such matches (W1, D1, L2), most memorably a 2-1 win over Manchester United in February 2016 in the Europa League. That scalp remains one of the club’s biggest achievements, and they will look to repeat the trick against another Premier League side.

Statistiques et séries chaudes

• Postecoglou’s home comfort: Despite Forest’s woes, their manager is unbeaten in his last nine Europa League home games (W7, D2).
• Defensive concerns: Forest have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 17 matches.
• Midtjylland’s scoring power: The Danes have scored two or more goals in 12 of their last 13 fixtures.
• Consistency in Europe: All four of Midtjylland’s group-stage away games in last season’s Europa League ended 2-0 (W2, L2).

Acteurs clés à surveiller

Nottingham Forest

Igor Jesus was the standout performer for Forest on matchday one, scoring twice against Real Betis.

The Brazilian striker now has the chance to become only the second player in club history to score in his first two European appearances for the team. His clinical finishing could prove vital if Forest are to overcome their current slump.

Midtjylland

Pour les visiteurs, Aral Şimşir is one to watch. He has scored five times this season, with four of those goals coming beyond the 50th minute.

That includes two crucial strikes in Europa League qualifying, underlining his knack for delivering in high-stakes matches. His late-game threat makes him particularly dangerous against a Forest defence prone to lapses.

Nouvelles de l'équipe et joueurs manquants

Forest’s injury problems continue to mount, with Ola Aina, Murillo, and Douglas Luiz all sidelined. Their absence leaves gaps in defence and midfield that Postecoglou must address if his side are to withstand Midtjylland’s attacking threat.

Midtjylland are not at full strength either. Dani Silva and Mikel Gogorza are unavailable, but Tullberg still has a strong squad at his disposal, buoyed by their recent form and depth in key positions.

Analyse tactique

Forest will be under pressure to seize the initiative at the City Ground. Postecoglou is known for his attacking philosophy, and with Igor Jesus in form, the hosts will likely look to assert themselves from the outset. However, their inability to keep clean sheets could leave them exposed to Midtjylland’s direct attacking style.

The Wolves thrive on energy and pressing, with Şimşir often the spearhead of their second-half surges. Having played three successful away qualifiers already, they are well-versed in frustrating opponents and striking clinically on the break. Tullberg will likely encourage a disciplined, counter-attacking setup, exploiting Forest’s fragile defence.

Analyse des paris

The odds tilt towards a high-scoring affair given the attacking strengths and defensive frailties on both sides. Forest have conceded regularly, while Midtjylland are prolific scorers, averaging over two goals a game across recent fixtures.

With the City Ground atmosphere pushing them forward, it is hard to imagine Forest’s poor run continuing indefinitely. A tempting angle is backing Forest to win with over 3.5 total match goals, combining the likelihood of a home resurgence with the high-scoring trend in Midtjylland’s games.

Prédiction

This contest pits a struggling European champion against a side in red-hot form, making it a fascinating battle of momentum versus pedigree. Forest’s European heritage and home advantage could just about swing the balance, but Midtjylland’s firepower cannot be underestimated. Expect goals, drama, and little to separate the sides.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 3-2 Midtjylland

Pour plus d'informations sur ce jeu, vous pouvez également visiter :
Nott’m Forest vs Midtjylland | UEFA Europa League 2025/26