Nottingham Forest vs Midtjylland Prediction: Can Jesus save Forest?

Nottingham Forest continue their European odyssey as Midtjylland travel to the City Ground in the Europa League (20:00 GMT, TNT Sports 1). The game comes as a welcome break from a Premier League relegation battle for the Tricky Trees.

Read on for my Nottingham Forest vs Midtjylland predictions with the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Forest defender Luca Netz is ineligible, with the January signing not part of the club’s Europa League squad.

Striker Chris Wood is still out with a knee problem, but is hopeful of returning in time for the Premier League run-in. Nicolo Savona, John Victor and Willy Boly are also waylaid with knee trouble.

Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega is touch-and-go, with his fitness due to be assessed. Matz Sels will step in if the former Manchester City shot-stopper is unavailable.

Midtjylland are without top-scorer Franculino, who is out following knee surgery. The Danish club are also missing Mikel Gogorza with an unspecified injury while Dario Osorio is suspended.

Football Odds

Nottingham Forest vs Midtjylland Odds

Forest are priced at 1/2 to secure a victory here. Midtjylland won 3-2 at the City Ground back in October. The Danes are 9/2 for another victory in the East Midlands while the draw is 16/5.

The hosts are 6/4 to win to nil while both teams to score is priced at 5/6. 

Midtjylland to win or draw @ 7/5

The Danes are no minnows. Forest themselves found that out when Midtjylland left the City Ground with a 3-2 win in a pre-Halloween horror show for the hosts.

This is a capable and confident side who have only been beaten once in this year’s Europa League. That sort of form matters, particularly against a side with the bruised confidence of Forest.

It is hard for Vitor Pereira, Forest’s fourth manager of the season, to go full-blooded into this tie knowing their Premier League survival hangs in the balance. That plays into Midtjylland’s hands and I think at worst they will take a draw back to Herning.

Igor Jesus to score anytime @ 5/4

Despite the fact I feel a win is beyond them, I do reckon Forest get a goal on the night. They have only failed to score in two of their eight Europa League outings this term. 

If Forest are to find their way to the back of the net, Igor Jesus is the man to light the way. The Brazil international has flattered to deceive in the Premier League, bagging just two goals in 28 games. But in the Europa League he has been a force of nature, scoring seven in eight matches.

I think the hard-working Jesus can bless this game with a goal.

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