Nottingham Forest will face Portuguse opposition for the very first time. Porto have lost each of their last four visits to England, yet to win on English soil in 23 trips overall.
Nottingham Forest vs Porto preview
It is the start of the Sean Dyche era at Nottingham Forest, not something anybody thought they would be saying just a matter of weeks ago. On Saturday lunchtime, the Garibaldi Reds were smashed 3-0 by Chelsea at the City Ground, with Ange Postecoglou sacked mere minutes after full time. The Australian was in charge for just 39 days, failing to win any of his eight matches as boss, losing six of them, making it one of the worst managerial tenures in English football history.
So now, Dyche has arrived and, while he takes over a team in the Premier League relegation zone, a key reason why Evangelos Marinakis is onto his third manager of the season already is because he believes they can win the Europa League.
Well, in this competition so far, Nottingham Forest drew 2-2 with Real Betis on matchday one, leading in Seville courtesy of Igor Jesus' quick-fire brace, only for Antony to equalise late on at the Cartuja. Eight nights later though, the Tricky Trees suffered a catastrophic 3-2 home defeat at the hands of Midtjylland, which was very much the start of the end for Postecoglou. After this tie, Forest will also welcome Malmö and Ferencváros to the East Midlands, with away games against Sturm Graz, Utrecht and Braga to come, meaning every points counts, so can Dyche commence his reign with a win?
As for FC Porto, while the home side spent around three decades out of Europe, they have played over 450 matches in UEFA competition. The Dragões won this competition in both 2003 and 2011, but were dumped out by Roma in last season's first knockout round, although are there signs they are set to be a force again? Right now, Francesco Farioli's team sit top of the Primeira Liga, winning their first seven matches before a drab goalless draw in O Clássico with José Mourinho's Benfica.
In the Europa League meantime, the Dragões have so far picked up maximum points. First, William Gomes' struck in stoppage time as Porto dramatically beat RB Salzburg 1-0, before an 89th minute strike from Rodrigo Mora pinched a 2-1 victory over Crvena zvezda at Estádio do Dragão. Prior to the last two seasons, enduring successive third place finishes in Portugal, Porto had been Champions League stalwarts, so will consider themselves one of the favourites to make a deep run in this competition. Thus, opening assignments for Dyche don't get much tougher than this, so can the visitors add to the City Ground misery with a victory on the banks of the River Trent on Thursday?
Nottingham Forest vs Porto head-to-head record
These two clubs have never previously met.
Nottingham Forest team news
Ola Aina is injured while none of Jair Cunha, Omari Hutchinson nor Taiwo Awoniyi are in the UEFA squad, but Sean Dyche's first team selection is still going to be fascinating.
Chris Wood had fallen out of favour under Ange Postecoglou, but one would imagine he'll be one of the biggest beneficiaries of Dyche's hiring. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Dan Ndoye will similarly be hoping to come straight back into the team compared to the weekend.
Igor Jesus, scoring of a double in Seville, as well as talisman Morgan Gibbs-White will sit out next month's trip to Austrian champions Sturm Graz if booked.
Nottingham Forest predicted lineup vs Porto: (4-2-3-1): Sels; Savona, Milenković, Murillo, Williams; Douglas Luiz, Anderson, Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood.
Nottingham Forest player to watch vs Porto
In Dyche's managerial career, only Sam Vokes has scored more goals for him than Chris Wood's tally of 53 in 165 games, so can the New Zealander fire them to victory at the City Ground?
Porto team news
Francesco Farioli's side were in action against fourth-tier Celoricense in the Taça de Portugal on Saturday, prevailing 4-0, so all of his key stars will return to the lineup refreshed for this one.
Diogo Costa is Portugal's number one goalkeeper these days, while centre-back duo Jakub Kiwior and Jan Bednarek both have previous Premier League expirence.
Further forward, William Gomes has scored in both Europa League matches so far, while the highly-rated Gabri Veiga joined the club in the summer following a brief stint in Saudi Arabia.
Porto predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest: (4-2-3-1): Costa; Alberto Costa, Bednarek, Kiwior, Moura; Froholdt, Eustáquio, Veiga, W Gomes, Sainz; Aghehowa.
Porto player to watch vs Nottingham Forest
Since joining Porto from Atlético Madrid, Samu Aghehowa has scored 35 goals in 54 appearances, including a hat-trick off the bench at the weekend. Of these goals, two came at the Club World Cup as well as six in last season's Europa League, so the Spanish international will be their danger man.
Nottingham Forest vs Porto prediction
Given their change in management, it is impossible to know what shape Nottingham Forest will be in so, given that, we are backing Porto for victory at the City Ground: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Porto.
Nottingham Forest vs Porto FAQs - UEFA Europa League
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Porto in the Europa League on TV channel?
Nottingham Forest vs Porto in the Europa League will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 1 & Ultimate.
- USA: CBS Sports Network, Paramount+, fuboTV, TUDN USA & Univision NOW
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Porto in the Europa League on live streaming?
Nottingham Forest vs Porto in the Europa League will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Discovery+
- USA: Paramount+, TUDN.com & UniMás
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Nottingham Forest vs Porto in the Europa League?
Nottingham Forest vs Porto takes place on Thursday 23 October 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (BST), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PDT).