Utrecht have only ever met English opposition once before, drawing both meetings with Liverpool 0-0 during the 2010 Europa League group stages.
Nottingham Forest meantime have won both previous ties against Dutch clubs, knocking Ajax out of the European Cup semi-finals in 1980, before defeating PSV Eindhoven in the second round of the UEFA Cup four seasons later. The Garibaldi Reds have though won only one of their last nine European away matches, this a 1-0 victory over Auxerre three decades ago.
Utrecht vs Nottingham Forest preview
With three matches to go, Nottingham Forest find themselves 16th in the gigantic Europa League table, so every point counts as they seek to gatecrash the top eight. Last time out in this competition, Forest smashed Malmö 3-0 at the City Ground, with Ryan Yates, Arnaud Kalimuendo and Nikola Milenković all on target. This takes their points tally up to eight, beaten only once thus far, realistically needing at least seven points from their final three fixtures to go straight through to the round of 16. Well, after this, they face Braga and Ferencváros, so that is certainly not out of the question.
Another eventuality that cannot be considered unfathomable is Nottingham Forest being relegated from the Premier League. On Sunday, the Tricky Trees were demolished 3-0 by Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Milenković scoring an own goal inside two minutes to commence a miserable afternoon on Merseyside. Before this, Sean Dyche's side had enjoyed wins over Leeds, Liverpool and then Wolves, but remain only two points and one place above the relegation zone, ahead of Spurs' visit on Sunday. Before then, will Forest claim a first Europa League away win of the season?
As for Utrecht, by virtue of beating Sheriff Tiraspol, Servette and HŠK Zrinjski Mostar in summer qualifiers, they are featuring in a first UEFA group stage for 15 years. However, Ron Jans' side may just be out of their depth at this level, sat in 32nd place, having yielded just a solitary point thus far. This came when Porto visited Stadion Galgenwaard last month, battling to a 1-1 draw down to ten men, but they have also suffered defeats at the hands of Lyon, Freiburg, Brann and most recently Betis.
Meantime, in the Eredivisie, Sunday's 1-1 draw with Twente leaves the Domstedelingen seventh, unbeaten in five, albeit each of the last three have resulted in draws. Utrecht are still yet to win a match in a European group stage, this will be their 16th attempt, running out of time to change this fact, with Genk and Celtic their January opponents. Thus, Forest are firm favourites to prevail.
Utrecht vs Nottingham Forest head-to-head record
These two clubs have never previously met.
Utrecht team news
Former Celtic goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas can return, having served a one-match suspension against Real Betis on matchday five, following his red card against Porto earlier last month.
Out-field, Dani de Wit will be their creative force, while Gjivai Zechiël could get the nod over Can Bozdoğan alongside.
Utrecht predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest: (4-2-3-1): Barkas; Horemans, van der Hoorn, Viergever, El Karouani; Zechiël, Engwanda, Rodríguez, de Wit, Cathline; Haller.
Utrecht player to watch vs Nottingham Forest
Few players have gone through highs and lows in their career quite like Sébastien Haller. Back in January 2023, just a month after being given the all-clear for testicular cancer, he scored the winning goal in the most-recent Africa Cup of Nations Final as Côte d'Ivoire beat Nigeria in Abidjan.
Since joined Utrecht from Borussia Dortmund this summer, Haller has scored only once, this during a 2-1 victory over Ajax in November, but he could be the difference maker here.
Nottingham Forest team news
Sean Dyche remains without Ola Aina, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Douglas Luiz and Chris Wood, while neither Omari Hutchinson nor Taiwo Awoniyi were included in the UEFA squad. Murillo also remains a doubt, having missed the last three matches due to a combination of illness and a hamstring issue.
Dyche did heavily rotate against Malmö, so could do so again here, with youngster Zach Abbott as well as Nicolás Domínguez, Ryan Yates, James McAtee and Arnaud Kalimuendo among those hoping to come in. Yates and Morgan Gibbs-White are one yellow card away from a ban.
Nottingham Forest predicted lineup vs Utrecht: (4-2-3-1): John; Abbott, Milenković, Morato, Williams; Yates, Domínguez, Ndoye, McAtee, Hudson-Odoi; Kalimuendo.
Nottingham Forest player to watch vs Utrecht
Callum Hudson-Odoi has lost his place in Forest's first-choice lineup, his only goal of the campaign coming against Crystal Palace in August, so can he stake a claim in the Netherlands?
Utrecht vs Nottingham Forest prediction
We are backing Nottingham Forest for victory at Stadion Galgenwaard. Utrecht have offered very little in this competition to date, so the away side should prevail: Utrecht 0-2 Nottingham Forest.
Utrecht vs Nottingham Forest FAQs - UEFA Europa League
How to watch Utrecht vs Nottingham Forest in the Europa League on TV channel?
Utrecht vs Nottingham Forest in the Europa League will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 1.
- USA: CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ & fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Utrecht vs Nottingham Forest in the Europa League on live streaming?
Utrecht vs Nottingham Forest in the Europa League will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Discovery+
- USA: Paramount+
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Utrecht vs Nottingham Forest in the Europa League?
Utrecht vs Nottingham Forest takes place on Thursday 11 December 2025, with kick off at 17:45 (GMT), 12:45 (ET) & 9:45 (PT).