Fenerbahce vs Nottingham Forest Predictions, Picks & Odds

Fenerbahce vs Nottingham Forest Game Details

Competition: Europa League
Date: Thursday, 19 February 2026
Kick-off Time: 17:45 (UK time)
Venue: Sukru Saracoglu Stadium
Live Stream (UK): TNT Sports 3, Discovery+

Fenerbahce vs Nottingham Forest Preview

Nottingham Forest step into a new chapter on Thursday night as Vitor Pereira takes charge for the first time. The Portuguese manager will guide the Tricky Trees into unfamiliar territory with a Europa League knockout round playoff trip to Fenerbahce. The first leg at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium marks a historic maiden meeting between the two clubs, with both aiming to seize an early advantage before next week’s return leg at the City Ground.

Forest’s turbulent campaign has already seen multiple managerial changes, with Pereira becoming the fourth head coach appointed this season by owner Evangelos Marinakis. Recent league struggles, including a defeat at Leeds and a frustrating goalless draw with Wolves prompted another reset. Pereira arrives on an 18-month deal, bringing experience and familiarity with Marinakis from their time together at Olympiacos.

The Portuguese coach faces an immediate test against a club he knows well, having managed Fenerbahce across two separate spells. Forest finished 13th in the Europa League league phase, narrowly missing automatic qualification despite a dominant 4-0 win over Ferencvaros in their final fixture.

Fenerbahce, meanwhile, enter the tie in strong domestic form after a slightly shaky end to the league phase left them 19th overall. Domenico Tedesco’s side have responded impressively with four straight Super Lig victories, scoring freely and maintaining an unbeaten league record that keeps them within three points of leaders Galatasaray.

The BTTS angle makes sense with Fenerbahce playing open games recently. Fenerbahce have seen BTTS in four of their last five, while Forest have seen it land in two of their last three. Over 2.5 goals is also supported by recent momentum, with Fenerbahce’s last two matches clearing the line. The Turkish side have been scoring freely while Forest are under a new manager.

Notably, Forest scored 4 goals in their last Europa League game against Ferencvaros. Backing Igor Jesus to score is a value play, given he has six goals in six Europa League appearances this season. In a match where Forest may rely on counter-attacks rather than long spells of control, the Brazilian striker will be at the center of everything his side create.