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The UEFA Europa League (UEL) enters Matchday six and sees Nottingham Forest travel to the Netherlands to play Utrecht. Forest are in a good position in the table, sitting 16th at the start of play, and will be hoping to pick up three points here in the hope of consolidating their position and maybe even moving up.
Utrecht are in dire form in the UEL, taking only one point from their first five games. Sitting 32nd in the table and five points off the play-off places, they could be eliminated from the competition depending on results. They are winless in their last 16 major European matches (D6 L10), stretching back to September 2004, which is the longest ever winless run by a Dutch side in major European competition.
Forest are resurgent under Sean Dyche and have not conceded since he was appointed on matchday three. Whilst they have two losses in their last three games, this match should provide Forest with the chance to find some form again and bring that back to the Premier League.
Utrecht v Nottingham Forest key information
• Date: Thursday, December 11th
• Kick-off: 17:45pm GMT
• Venue: Stadion Galgenwaard, Utrecht
• Referee: Irfan Peljto
• VAR: Ivan Bebek
• TV channels: TNT Sports (UK)
• Odds: UTR (4/1) - DRAW (14/5) - NFO (7/10)
Utrecht team news
Utrecht could be missing two players for the visit of Nottingham Forest. David Min is doubtful after missing the game at the weekend against FC Twente, and Davy van den Berg, who has been out for three games, is also set to miss this game.
Victor Jensen scored for the first time since returning from a long-term injury at the weekend against Twente; however, he will be missing from this game as he was not included in the UEL squad for Utrecht.
Fans of the Premier League and Bundesliga will recognise a familiar face up top for Utrecht, in the form of former Dortmund and West Ham player Sebastian Haller. He may have only one goal this season for his team, but he is always a threat for his team, and they will need him to start scoring again to change their fortunes in Europe.
Utrecht predicted lineup v Nottingham Forest, (4-3-3)
Coach: Ron Jans
Barkas; El Karouani, Viergever, Van der Hoorn, Horemans; Zechiel, De Wit, Engwanda; Cathline, Haller, Rodriguez.
Nottingham Forest team news
Forest will be without several players for the trip to Utrecht. There are no changes to the long-term injured, with Ola Aina, Taiwo Awoniyi, Dilane Bakwam, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Chris Wood and Douglas Luiz all out still. Murillo was absent at the weekend again, battling a hamstring problem and a virus, and Ryan Yates was forced off against Everton with what appeared to be a hamstring problem. They will both be out for the Utrecht game as well.
With Igor Jesus set to lead the line again, Forest fans will be happy that the striker loves to score on the road. In fact, five of his six goals for the club this season have come away from the City Ground, and three of those six have been in this competition. A player for those European nights.
Forest predicted lineup v Utrecht, (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Sean Dyche
Sels; Savona, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Sangare, Anderson, Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Dominguez; Igor Jesus.
Where to watch on TV or live stream?
You can watch Utrecht face Nottingham Forest on TNT Sports in the UK. TNT Sports is available with a subscription to discovery+, which can be watched on the website, on the app, on your smart TV or through your console.
Head-to-head record
FC Utrecht and Nottingham Forest have never previously faced in European competition. Utrecht have only previously encountered one English side, which was in the 10/11 UEFA Europa League group stage, drawing 0-0 twice with Liverpool.
Utrecht are winless in their last four games (3D, 1L) and with their terrible European record, they look set to extend that run. Forest come into this game on the back of a big loss to Everton, but do boast four wins in their last six games (2L).
Odds for Utrecht v Nottingham Forest
Forest are the favourites at bet365 to win this game. They have them at 7/10 to win compared to Utrecht’s 4/1. A draw is at 14/5.
Odds correct at time of writing, subject to change.