Fight for Premier League survival and Europa League semi-final spot – Nottingham in the Dragons lair

English clubs are not shining this season in European competitions, particularly in the Champions League, where we will likely only see Arsenal in the semifinals (it’s difficult for Liverpool after their 0–2 defeat at the Parc des Princes). However, in the Europa League, the English have two representatives with strong chances of lifting a trophy. This is especially true for Aston Villa, who have been the frontrunner for the title since the start of the competition.

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Nottingham Forest also have a chance to make a big return to the European stage. Although the Forest fight for survival in the Premier League, there’s no doubt that competing for a trophy in UEFA’s second-tier tournament is a major challenge. Vitor Pereira’s team will face Porto, with the first leg taking place tonight (23:00) at the Dragao.

Francesco Farioli’s Dragons lead the Portuguese league, though Sporting are hot on their heels, especially after Porto slipped up last weekend at home against Famalicao (2–2). Nottingham had a three-week break, missing last weekend due to the FA Cup quarter-finals, and in their previous match, they defeated Tottenham 3–0 in London.

Portuguese manager Vitor Pereira is already the fourth coach of Nottingham this season. He is seen as a safe pair of hands for Forest, who were last season’s Premier League surprise under Nuno Espirito Santo. Pereira previously managed Porto, winning two Primeira Liga titles, so this match carries an emotional element for the English club’s boss. Interestingly, Farioli’s assistants, Castro and Lucho Gonzalez, were once coached by Pereira at the Dragao.

“Porto is a big club and continues to be. Clubs live for trophies, and when they don’t win, turbulence arises. I see Porto in transition, recreating its mystique and competing to return to the top. This is how clubs rise from the ashes. I felt great sadness when president Pinto da Costa left. Now there’s a new president, with ideas, trying to bring Porto back to the top,” said Pereira.

Good news for the English side is that experienced striker Chris Wood is available. The veteran forward has been out since October with a knee problem and underwent surgery in December. He has played with Forest’s youth team to regain match fitness and traveled to Porto for the Europa League quarter-final first leg.

Brazilian Igor Jesus, who has scored 13 goals this season (including seven in this competition), will start, though Wood is expected to get minutes later in the match. Jesus will face off against veteran Thiago Silva, Porto’s winter signing from Fluminense.

The host team faces injury problems, with top scorer Spaniard Samu unavailable. Veteran Dutchman Luuk de Jong is also out, along with Karamo, Perez, and young Pole Pjetusevski. In the absence of forwards, Farioli will play Nigerian Terem Moffi, a winter signing from Nice, as the central striker.

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE - QUARTER FINALS

First leg

Wednesday

Braga - Betis 1-1 (1-0)

/Grillitsch 5 - Hernandez 61 pen/

Thursday

22.00: (3.05) Bologna (3.35) Aston Villa (2.35)

22.00: (2.35) Freiburg (3.30) Celta (3.10)

22.00: (2.15) Porto (3.35) Nott.Forest (3.45)

***odds are subject to change***