{"id":37515,"date":"2026-01-22T15:26:47","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T19:26:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/braga-vs-nottm-forest-battle-for-knockout-spot-in-europa-league\/"},"modified":"2026-01-22T15:27:19","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T19:27:19","slug":"93150-braga-vs-nottm-forest-battle-for-knockout-spot-in-europa-league","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/93150-braga-vs-nottm-forest-battle-for-knockout-spot-in-europa-league\/","title":{"rendered":"Braga vs Nottm Forest battle for knockout spot in Europa League"},"content":{"rendered":"

Braga vs Nottingham Forest<\/b> clash today in a high-stakes Europa League battle where two teams fighting for automatic last-16 qualification meet head-to-head. Both sides need points desperately<\/b> in their penultimate group-stage fixture at Estadio Municipal de Braga. A first-ever competitive meeting will decide crucial playoff futures.<\/p>\n

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\ud83d\udd25 Quick Facts<\/h3>\n
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  • Kick-off time<\/b>: 8:00 PM<\/b> local time on Thursday, January 22, 2026<\/li>\n
  • Competition status<\/b>: Group stage<\/b>, matchday 7 of 8 in new Europa League format<\/li>\n
  • Current standings<\/b>: Braga 7th with 13 points<\/b>, Forest 11th with 11 points<\/b>, auto-qualification threshold is top 8<\/li>\n
  • Head-to-head history<\/b>: First competitive meeting ever, though Nottm Forest won 3-0 in a friendly in July 2016<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

    Can Forest Close Gap Against Portuguese Opposition<\/h2>\n

    Nottingham Forest<\/b> are desperate to reach the knockout rounds as they battle relegation in the Premier League<\/b>. The Red Tree<\/b> sit 17th in England’s top flight<\/b>, just five points clear of the drop zone. Sean Dyche’s side<\/b> have won only once in their last seven matches across all competitions. However, they showed resilience with a 0-0 draw against Arsenal<\/b> last weekend. In Europe though, the picture brightens considerably. Forest boast 11 points from 6 matches<\/b> in the group stage, winning three and drawing two.<\/p>\n

    Igor Jesus<\/b>, Forest’s leading scorer with 8 goals this season<\/b>, will spearhead the attack. The Brazilian forward<\/b> has scored 4 goals in the Europa League<\/b> alone. Morgan Gibbs-White<\/b> provides creative support in midfield. Dyche’s men<\/b> beat Portuguese leaders Porto 2-0<\/b> at home on matchday three, so they possess experience against elite Portuguese opposition. They beat Malmo 3-0<\/b> and FC Utrecht 2-1<\/b> recently, suggesting strong form going into this showdown.<\/p>\n

    Braga Hold Automatic Spot But Under Pressure<\/h2>\n

    SC Braga<\/b> currently occupy 7th place<\/b> with 13 points<\/b>, safely in the automatic qualification zone. However, the Portuguese club<\/b> cannot afford complacency against the English challengers. Manager Carlos Vicens’s<\/b> team endured a difficult start to 2026, losing to Vitoria Guimaraes (2-1)<\/b> in the Taca da Liga and crashing out of the Taca de Portugal<\/b> to third-tier AD Fafe (2-1)<\/b>. They bounced back Sunday with a dramatic 1-0 win at Tondela<\/b> via a 92nd-minute penalty from Rodrigo Zalazar<\/b>.<\/p>\n

    Braga have won 4 of their 6 Europa League matches<\/b>, including a 1-0 victory at Nice<\/b> recently. Top scorer Zalazar<\/b>, who has 14 goals this season<\/b>, serves the second match of a two-match continental suspension today. This absence hampers Braga’s attacking threat significantly. Joao Moutinho<\/b>, the 39-year-old veteran<\/b>, anchors midfield alongside Florian Grillitsch<\/b>. Pau Victor<\/b> and Ricardo Horta<\/b> will support supporting striker Gabri Martinez<\/b> in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Factor<\/td>\nBraga<\/td>\nNottm Forest<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Europa League Record<\/td>\n4 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss (13 pts)<\/td>\n3 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss (11 pts)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Key Player<\/td>\nPau Victor, Ricardo Horta<\/td>\nIgor Jesus (8 goals), Morgan Gibbs-White<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Form (All Comps)<\/td>\n1 win, 2 draws in last 3<\/td>\n1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss in last 3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Big Question<\/td>\nCan team cope without top scorer<\/td>\nCan they stay in top 8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

    \n“Forest currently sit 11th in the 36-team standings, just two points adrift of the automatic last-16 qualification places. With matches against Braga and Ferencvaros remaining, they know they can’t afford to drop points.”\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \u2014 Mirror.co.uk<\/b>, Sports Editorial<\/p>\n

    Team News Shapes Both Lineups<\/h2>\n

    Nottm Forest<\/b> will be without Chris Wood<\/b> and John Victor<\/b> due to knee injuries. Ola Aina, Omari Hutchinson, Taiwo Awoniyi, Angus Gunn, and Jair Cunha<\/b> are all unavailable for Europa League action having not been registered in the squad. Nicolo Savona<\/b> fills the right-back void. Douglas Luiz<\/b> could return to challenge Ibrahim Sangare<\/b> for a midfield berth alongside Elliot Anderson<\/b>. Murillo<\/b> and Milenkovic<\/b> form the central defense.<\/p>\n

    Braga<\/b> miss injured pair Amine El Ouazzani<\/b> and Sandro Vidigal<\/b>. January signing Samy Merheg<\/b> is ineligible until knockout rounds. Most importantly, top scorer Rodrigo Zalazar<\/b> serves his second suspension. Gustaf Lagerbielke<\/b>, Sikou Niakate<\/b>, and Carvalho<\/b> form a defensive trio. The backline configuration depends on whether Vicens<\/b> deploys a three or four-man defense. Lelo<\/b> and Dorgeles<\/b> provide wing support.<\/p>\n

    What Happens If Forest Drops Points<\/h2>\n

    Nottm Forest<\/b> cannot afford another slip-up in their quest for European progression. Sean Dyche’s<\/b> first European campaign with the club is critical for club credibility. Two points behind auto-qualification<\/b>, they must win or draw to strengthen their position. Losing to Braga<\/b> would pressure their final matchday clash against Ferencvaros<\/b>. The contrast between Forest’s domestic challenges<\/b> and their European confidence<\/b> tells a compelling story. Eleven points from six matches<\/b> shows they belong in this competition. Igor Jesus will be crucial<\/b> to unlocking Braga’s defense<\/b> with his pace and positioning. Morgan Gibbs-White’s<\/b> movement between the lines threatens the Portuguese backline<\/b>.<\/p>\n

    Braga<\/b> comfortable in seventh place<\/b> but cannot slip up either. Nice defeated 1-0 away<\/b> proved they can grind out results against strong opposition. Seven points clear of the drop-off<\/b> gives them breathing room compared to Forest’s desperation<\/b>. The absence of Rodrigo Zalazar<\/b> is significant though. Without their 14-goal talisman<\/b>, attacking creativity becomes limited. Carlos Vicens<\/b> will ask his experienced midfielders to control tempo and frustrate Forest’s threats<\/b>.<\/p>\n

    Can Dyche Make European History in Braga Tonight<\/h2>\n

    This showdown represents Nottm Forest’s penultimate European assignment<\/b> in a remarkable journey. First European competition in 30 years<\/b> makes every point legendary for the club. Braga holds European pedigree<\/b> but Nottm Forest’s hunger<\/b> could prove decisive. Two teams, one spot<\/b> mentality drives both squads forward. Igor Jesus’s class<\/b> versus Braga’s experience<\/b> will determine the outcome. Sean Dyche<\/b> seeks vindication after struggling domestically<\/b>. European competitions<\/b> have traditionally rewarded English clubs with their robust style<\/b> and clinical finishing<\/b>. Will Nottm Forest<\/b> show they belong in the knockout stage<\/b>, or will Braga’s composure<\/b> prevail at home?<\/p>\n

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    Watch: Match Preview<\/h3>\n