Nottingham Forest vs Porto Prediction: Difficult start to Dyche’s reign

Nottingham Forest have their third manager of the season as Sean Dyche has replaced Ange Postecoglou. The new boss faces a very tough first game in charge as the Tricky Trees host Porto at the City Ground in the Uefa Europa League on Thursday (20:00 BST, TNT Sports 1).

The visitors have won 10 of their 11 fixtures this term and they are in great shape ahead of this clash. Below you will find my Nottingham Forest vs Porto predictions, featuring the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Forest’s only injury at the moment is defender Ola Aina, who is recovering from hamstring surgery, while Taiwo Awoniyi, Omari Hutchinson, Jair Cunha and Angus Gunn are all unable to feature after being omitted from the club’s Europa League squad.

Postecoglou had opted for a back five in his last couple of games but Dyche may revert to a four-man defence on Thursday, with Morato the most likely player to drop out in this scenario.

Chris Wood, who played for the manager in his Burnley days, Igor Jesus, Dan Ndoye and Callum Hudson-Odoi will all be pushing to start in the final third for the hosts.

Ryan Yates may be recalled to the midfield in place of either Douglas Luiz or Ibrahim Sangare.

Football Odds

Luuk de Jong and Nehuen Perez remain sidelined for Porto with knee ligament injuries, while Tomas Perez and Yann Karamoh are not in the visitors' European squad.

Boss Francesco Farioli is expected to name a strong side in the East Midlands , with former Southampton defender Jan Bednarek set to continue alongside Arsenal loanee Jakub Kiwior, Alberto Costa and Francisco Moura in defence.

Alan Varela, Gabri Veiga and Victor Froholdt are the most likely candidates to play in the middle of the park, while star striker Samu Aghehowa might be supported in attack by former Norwich City man Borja Sainz and Brazilian winger Pepe.

Today's Football Fixtures

Nottingham Forest vs Porto Odds

Forest are 7/5 to get off to a bright start under their new boss but they have won just one of their 11 competitive fixtures this season.

The Tricky Trees did draw their opening Europa League fixture with Real Betis, though, and the stalemate is priced at 23/10.

Porto have won 10 of their 11 matches this term and are an enticing 2/1 (implied probability of 33.3%) to collect the three points.

The visitors have conceded just two goals all season and both teams to score No is priced at 11/10.

Porto to win @ 2/1

The mood surrounding both of these clubs are very different. Forest came into this season set for their most exciting in decades and that has quickly evaporated in a matter of months.

The Tricky Trees are on their third manager, they've not won a game in Europe and currently sit in the Premier League relegation zone. This is familiar territory for Dyche, who has had his fair share of survival missions in the top flight.

He hasn't had long to work with his new squad but he will find it tough to get them firing against one of the form sides in Europe.

Porto are flying and their record of 10 wins in 11 speaks for itself. I have no doubt that they can pick up another win here because the state that their hosts are in at the moment makes this a free hit for the Portuguese visitors.

Forest have forgotten what it's like to win a game of football as they have now gone 10 matches without one.

Clean Sheet - Porto @ 13/5

Forest are currently in a bit of a mess, whereas Porto are organised and their players know exactly what they are doing. I think backing the visitors to keep a clean sheet is a smart selection for Thursday because nine of their 11 fixtures this term have seen them shut out their opponents.

The hosts have failed to score in five of their games this season, including three of their last four.

Offers