Sporting Braga vs Nottingham Forest Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals trend to continue for Forest

Sporting Braga and Nottingham Forest are two teams who will be eyeing up places in the last 16 of the Uefa Europa League. The two collide at Municipal de Braga on Thursday (20:00 GMT, TNT Sports 1) with the two teams just two points apart in the 36-team table.

Read on for my Sporting Braga vs Nottingham Forest predictions, alongside the latest match odds and team news.

Team News

Amine El Ouazzani (foot) and Sandro Vidigal (unspecified) will miss this clash for Braga through injury. January signing Samy Merheg is unable to feature as he is not registered for the hosts' league phase squad, so he would have to wait until the knockout stage should his side get there.

The Archbishops will have to cope without top scorer Rodrigo Zalazar due to suspension. He has scored 14 goals in all competitions this season. Gabri Martinez may be trusted to fill in for him, with support provided from Pau Victor and Ricardo Horta.

Former Wolves man Joao Moutinho continues to operate in midfield at 39, and he may partner Florian Grillitsch in the engine room.

Football Odds

Forest remain without the services of Chris Wood and John Victor due to knee injuries. Nicolo Savona should feature at right-back, with Ola Aina not registered in the European squad, while Douglas Luiz will tussle with Ibrahim Sangare to play next to Elliot Anderson in the engine room.

Igor Jesus has been given a lot of playing time in Wood's absence. The Brazilian is the Tricky Trees' top scorer in all competitions, with four coming in this competition.

Today's Football Fixtures

Sporting Braga vs Nottingham Forest Odds

Braga have won four of their six Europa League fixtures, including two of their three home clashes, and they are 7/4 (implied probability of 36.4%) to claim the three points.

Two of Forest's three away trips in this competition have ended in a stalemate, with the draw valued at 9/4. The Tricky Trees are 8/5 to come away with the victory, having won their past two matches in the UEL.

Jesus is 7/4 to grab his fifth European goal of the campaign.

Both Teams To Score & Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Yes & Under @ 6/5

With Braga currently inside the top eight, which would give them a direct pass into the round of 16, they will look to make the most of this final home contest, but Forest will look to spoil the party as they try to break into the top eight themselves.

Braga have largely been solid when playing at home, but this went out the window when they played Genk here in November, as they lost a seven-goal thriller. Forest will look to expose any lingering weaknesses on Thursday, and I am inclined to think there will be goals in this clash.

Over 2.5 goals has landed in five of the Tricky Trees' past six away trips in all competitions, while both teams have been on the scoresheet in each of the latest three, which have come in the visitors' latest four games heading into Thursday.

This market has also been a successful bet in the home team's two latest outings in the Primeira Liga.

Player To Receive A Card - Elliot Anderson @ 7/2

The player card market also appeals because at this late stage, both teams will feel that they cannot afford to drop points as they seek a direct route to the round of 16.

The two teams could end up playing out a cagey affair on Thursday night, which may lead to some frustration and rash challenges, while players may also take professional fouls for the fear of conceding.

One individual who has been getting into a lot of trouble in the Europa League this season is Forest midfielder Anderson. He has been booked in the last two matches in this competition and has committed fouls across five appearances, so he is averaging 2.6 per game.

The England international is tenacious in midfield and never shies away from getting stuck in, but sometimes his desire to win the ball leads to him getting in trouble.

Double Delight & Hat-trick Heaven

Pre-match single on First Goalscorer market in selected games. Paid in cash upon market settlement. 90 mins only. T&Cs Apply.

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

Opt in & build your own Bet Builder (3/1+) of 3+ legs on any Europa League match on Thursday and get a 30% cash Winnings Bonus if your bet wins!

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.