Sporting Braga welcome Nottingham Forest for a Europa League clash on Thursday evening. The game kicks-off at 8:00pm live on TNT Sports, and below you can find our match preview, team news, and best bets.
Best Bets & Predictions
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Both Teams to Score – Yes | Bet365 | 8/11 (57.9%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Braga have found the net in all six of their Europa League games this season, but Forest’s attack has been in red-hot form too, scoring three at home against Malmo and two away at Utrecht. With both sides likely to push forward, there’s a strong chance for goals at either end on Thursday. |
| Igor Jesus to Score | Bet365 | 8/5 (42.1%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Forest’s Igor Jesus has quietly emerged as a Europa League difference-maker, scoring four goals in just five appearances in the competition for the club, a strike rate that underlines his knack for delivering on the continental stage. The Brazilian has already shown he can decide tight fixtures — none more so than his match-winning goal away at Utrecht on Matchday 6 — and with Forest expected to attack Braga aggressively at home on Thursday, Jesus looks well placed to add to his tally. Given his efficiency in front of goal in Europe and tendency to pop up in big moments, backing Igor Jesus to score anytime carries strong value. |
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How both teams go into Braga vs Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest have struggled in the Premier League recently, winning just one of their last seven games, but Sean Dyche will have taken some encouragement from a solid 0-0 draw with leaders Arsenal last weekend. The team remains 17th in the table and close to the relegation zone, with West Ham now just five points behind after their recent win against Tottenham.
Forest’s attention now turns to the Europa League, where they have 11 points from six group games, including victories over Malmö and Utrecht. Competing in Europe for the first time in 30 years, they sit 11th in the 36-team standings and are only two points off the automatic last-16 spots, making their remaining games against Braga and Ferencvaros crucial for progressing.
Braga have had a mixed start to 2026, losing in both the Taca da Liga and Taca de Portugal before bouncing back with a dramatic 1-0 win at Tondela, thanks to a 92nd-minute penalty from Rodrigo Zalazar. The victory lifted them to fifth in the Primeira Liga, just one point off fourth, though they are 12 points behind third-placed Benfica.
In the Europa League, Braga sit seventh in the 36-team standings with four wins from six group games, including a 1-0 away victory at Nice. Historically, they have struggled against English sides, winning only six of 20 meetings, with their most recent success coming against Wolverhampton in the 2019-20 group stage.
Braga team news
Braga will be without Amine El Ouazzani and Sandro Vidigal through injury, while January signing Samy Merheg is ineligible for the Europa League until the knockout rounds. Top scorer Rodrigo Zalazar serves the second of a two-match suspension, meaning Gabri Martinez is likely to lead the attack alongside Pau Victor and Ricardo Horta. In midfield, Joao Moutinho will pair with Florian Grillitsch, while Sikou Niakate could be joined in central defence by Lagerbielke, Carvalho or Bright Arrey-Mbi, depending on whether Braga line up with three or four at the back.
Nottingham Forest team news
Nottingham Forest will be without Chris Wood and John Victor through knee injuries, while Ola Aina, Omari Hutchinson, Taiwo Awoniyi, Angus Gunn and Jair Cunha are ineligible for Europa League duty. Nicolo Savona is likely to start at right-back, Douglas Luiz could return to midfield alongside Elliot Anderson, potentially displacing Ibrahim Sangare, while Morgan Gibbs-White continues in an advanced role and Igor Jesus leads the attack as Forest’s top scorer with eight goals, four of them in the Europa League.
Season Form & Standings
2025/26 season to date. Both Sporting Braga and Nottingham Forest have started strongly in their group phase, with Braga’s controlled, possession-based game keeping them in the top half, and Forest’s punchy counter-attacks putting them just a couple of points behind. Here’s how they stand after six matches:
| Team | Pos | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sporting Braga | 7 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 5 | +5 | 13 |
| Nottingham Forest | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 6 | +5 | 11 |
Head-to-Head
There is no prior competitive history between Sporting Braga and Nottingham Forest, making this contest a fresh tactical battle on the European stage.
Last 6 Meetings
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| No previous meetings | – | – |
Conclusion
With both sides boasting strong attacking numbers and little to separate them in the standings, this match could hinge on which midfield asserts more control. Will Sporting Braga’s possession game break down Forest’s rapid transitions, or will the English club’s clinical finishing prove decisive away from home? For punters, the best value may lie in Both Teams to Score at 8/11 (57.9%) with Bet365, given the offensive records on show.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
