Nottingham Forest vs Porto Prediction: The Dragons to better utilise their firepower

Nottingham Forest were able to escape Portugal with a draw in the first leg of their Uefa Europa League quarter-final against Porto last week. On Thursday, Forest host the Dragons at the City Ground for the decisive second leg (20:00 BST, TNT Sports 1).

The Tricky Trees defeated the visitors 2-0 here when they met in the league phase, but my Nottingham Forest vs Porto predictions won't see this meeting panning out the same way. Read on for the details, as well as the latest team news and match odds from Betfred.

Team News

Jair Cunha (foot), Willy Bolly, Nicolo Savona, John Victor and Chris Wood (all knee) are ruled out for Forest through injury.

The hosts welcome back combative midfielder Elliot Anderson, who was suspended for the first leg. He is expected to go straight into the XI, likely at the expense of Nicolas Dominguez.

Football Odds

Strikers Samu Aghehowa (cruciate ligament tear) and Luuk De Jong (knee) are sidelined for Porto, which proved an issue last week as the Dragons could only muster one goal from eight attempts on target.

Martim Fernandes (leg) and Nehuen Perez (tendon) are also missing for the visitors.

Nottingham Forest vs Porto Odds

Forest were winners here against Porto in the league phase, so the 5/4 about them repeating that feat is attractive.

The draw is priced at 9/4, which may also be a tempting selection after the stalemate in the first leg.

Porto are 9/4 to prevail in regulation time, as they did in the second leg of the previous round against VfB Stuttgart.

Under 2.5 Goals has been a winning selection in both meetings this term, and is on offer at 8/13 this time around.

Today's Football Fixtures

Both Teams To Score - Yes @ 1/1

After the first leg ended with a goal apiece and nothing to separate them, I do think we will see the net bulge a few more times on Thursday. Forest will look to make the most of the home advantage, while Porto will want to show a ruthlessness in the final third that was lacking a week ago.

BTTS - Yes has struck in six of the Dragons' past eight competitive matches, including each of the last four. For Forest, this has been a successful bet in three of their previous four outings in all competitions.

Draw No Bet - Porto @ 5/4

Now, I know what you're thinking, why am I still fancying Porto when they have failed to beat Forest twice now? Simply put, I think Forest were very lucky to escape with a draw last week.

Porto were all over them at the Estadio do Dragao, and on another day, they could've built up a healthy advantage coming into this second leg.

Away from home, and at a ground where they have already experienced defeat this term, it is going to be tough for them on Thursday. However, if the visitors play like they did on home soil, and show a little bit more composure in front of goal, then they might just be able to get the job done in regulation time.

The Draw No Bet market is of course picked for insurance, but it's worth noting that Forest have lost their past two home games in this competition. Therefore, this 5/4 (44.4%) price seems good value for a Porto victory.

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