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The UEFA Europa League (UEL) enters its seventh matchday, with Braga currently sitting in the top eight, primed for automatic qualification to the round of 16. But, they face a Nottingham Forest side sitting 11th with their eyes set on leapfrogging their opponents and snatching that automatic qualification place.
Braga have had mixed fortunes since Christmas on the field. Two wins, draws, and losses show fluctuating form, but their win on Sunday against Tondela at least gives them direct momentum coming directly into this game.
Forest have had even worse form than their opponents domestically. They’ve earned only one win since Christmas and have exited the FA Cup to Wrexham in the Championship. A draw against Premier League and Champions League leaders Arsenal in their last fixture shows that Forest can frustrate the best teams, and they will need all that when they visit Braga.
Braga v Nottingham Forest key info
• Date: Thursday, January 22
• Kick-off time: 8pm GMT
• Venue: Estádio Municipal de Braga, Braga
• Referee: Igor Pajač
• VAR: Ivan Bebek
• TV channels: TNT Sports (UK)
• Odds: BRA (7/4) - DRAW (12/5) - NFO (31/20)
Braga team news
A familiar face to Premier League fans will most likely start in Braga’s midfield in former Wolves midfielder Joao Moutinho. The now 39-year-old is still functioning at a high level and will be one to watch for the Forest midfield.
One person Forest do not have to worry about is midfielder Rodrigo Zalazar, who will sit out this tie after his red card against Rangers. The Uruguayan was adjudged to have headbutted Nico Raskin following an altercation. Also missing this match will be the duo of Amine El Ouazzani and Sandro Vidigal, who both have injuries.
New signings Adrian Barisic and Samy Jr. Merheg will miss this tie as new players cannot be registered to play in the UEL until the next round.
Braga predicted lineup v Nottingham Forest, (3-4-3)
Coach: Carlos Vicens
Hornicek; Lagerbielke, Carvalho, Niakate; Dorgeles, Grillitsch, Moutinho, Lelo; Martinez, Victor, Horta.
Nottingham Forest team news
Forest remain without last season's top scorer Chris Wood, who is sidelined with a knee injury. Despite missing the big Kiwi, Igor Jesus has stepped up in his place and has a great record in the UEL, scoring four goals in the competition so far. Keeper John Victor, who injured himself against Aston Villa, will also be missing, meaning Matz Sels should keep his place in goal.
Ola Aina has made his return from injury in recent weeks and has fully reinserted himself back into the starting 11. Unfortunately for the Nigerian fullback, he was not included in the UEL squad at the start of the season because of his injury, so he will be missing against Braga. Omari Hutchinson is another prominent player for Forest who is not in the UEL squad, so he will be missing here as well.
Nottingham Forest lineup v Braga, (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Sean Dyche
Sels; Savona, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Sangare, Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Igor Jesus.
Where to watch on TV or live stream
You can watch this tie between Braga and Nottingham Forest live on TNT Sports in the United Kingdom. TNT Sports can be streamed with a subscription to discovery+.
Head-to-head record
This will be the first-ever meeting between Sporting Braga and Nottingham Forest. Braga have met English opposition before, and their last three against English teams have produced 16 goals, with two 3-3 draws against Wolves and Leicester, and a 4-0 defeat to the Foxes as well.
Forest have only played a Portuguese team once in all European competitions, and that was early in this year’s UEL against Porto, where they won 2-0. They are in good form in the UEL under Dyche, having won three of their four games he has overseen (D1).
Odds for Braga v Nottingham Forest
Forest are the slight favourites for this game coming in at 31/20 at bet365. Braga are set at 7/4, with a draw at 12/5.
Odds correct at time of writing, subject to change.