Porto want revenge. Nottingham Forest want history. When these two sides collide at the iconic Estádio do Dragão on Thursday night, something has to give — with a UEFA Europa League semi-final spot on the line. Forest already beat Porto 2-0 in the group stage. Now Porto have home advantage and a point to prove in this thrilling quarter-final first leg.
Porto vs Nottingham Forest: Match Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Competition | UEFA Europa League — QF First Leg |
| Date & Time | Thursday, April 9, 2026 · 21:00 CET (19:00 UTC) |
| Venue | Estádio do Dragão, Porto, Portugal |
| Second Leg | Thursday, April 16, 2026 · City Ground, Nottingham |
| This Season’s H2H | Forest 2–0 Porto (Group Stage, Oct 2025) |
| If tied after 2 legs | Extra time & penalties |
Porto — Europa League record this season
Only 1 defeat (vs Forest, group stage)
Forest’s route to QF
Overturned deficit vs Midtjylland via penalties
Team Form
| Team | Europa League Form | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Porto | W W W L W W | Stellar home European record; beat Stuttgart in R16 |
| Nottingham Forest | W D L W W W | English sides unbeaten in last 10 vs Portuguese clubs (EL) |
Porto’s only European blemish this entire campaign was that 2-0 defeat at the City Ground, when Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus both converted from the spot. Francesco Farioli’s side then bounced back emphatically, brushing aside Stuttgart home and away in the last 16. Forest, now under manager Vítor Pereira, rode their luck against Midtjylland but showed fighting spirit to reach this stage.
For deeper Europa League analysis, explore our football coverage on TechnoSports.
Predicted Lineups & Injury News
| Porto (4-3-3) | Status | Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diogo Costa (GK) | Available | Ortega (GK) | Available |
| A. Costa, Bednarek, Kiwior, Moura | Available | Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Zinchenko | Murillo doubtful |
| Varela, Frøholdt, Gabri Veiga | Available | Yates, Anderson | Available |
| Pepê, Samu Aghehowa, Borja Sainz | Available | Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Ndoye; Wood | Available |
| Samu Aghehowa | Doubt (injury) | Jair (foot) | Out |
| Luuk de Jong, Nehuén Pérez | Out (knee) | Willy Boly | Out for season |
Porto’s biggest concern is 21-year-old striker Samu Aghehowa, who has been their standout attacker this season. Gabri Veiga‘s creativity between the lines will be key. For Forest, Gibbs-White — who scored the penalty that beat Porto in October — is the dangerman to watch in attack.
Our Prediction
🏟 Porto 1–1 Nottingham Forest
Porto’s hunger for payback at a raucous Estádio do Dragão gives them the edge at home, but Forest’s remarkable record against Portuguese sides in this competition — English clubs unbeaten in 10 straight Europa League games vs Portuguese opposition — means a clean sheet for Porto is far from guaranteed. An away goal could be priceless heading into the second leg at the City Ground. Expect a tight, absorbing European night that sets up a thrilling decider on April 16.
Check our Europa League semi-final preview on TechnoSports after this tie concludes.
How to Watch Porto vs Nottingham Forest
| Region | Broadcaster / Platform |
|---|---|
| UK | TNT Sports / Discovery+ |
| USA | Paramount+ |
| India | Sony LIV / Sony Ten 2 |
| Portugal | Sport TV Portugal |
| Live Scores & Lineups | FotMob Live Tracker · UEFA.com |
