Nottingham Forest will be under new leadership when they host FC Porto in the Europa League on Thursday night at the City Ground, marking Sean Dyche’s debut as head coach of the Tricky Trees. This encounter will take place during matchday three of the tournament, with Porto aiming to continue their perfect record while Forest searches for their first European victory of the season.
Forest has undergone significant changes in the early months of the 2025-26 season, having already parted ways with two managers, Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou, in a span of just six weeks. Postecoglou’s dismissal came only minutes after a disheartening 3-0 loss to Chelsea, culminating in the shortest managerial tenure in Premier League history at just 39 days without a win (0 wins, 2 draws, and 6 losses). With only five points earned in their last 10 matches across various competitions, Forest finds themselves in the relegation zone.
Dyche, who returns to management after being dismissed by Everton, has secured a contract with Forest through June 2027. His appointment is coupled with the return of club favorites Ian Woan and Steve Stone to assist him. The immediate focus for Dyche and his staff is to rectify the team’s poor form, especially at home, where they have not scored in their last four matches, suffering losses and conceding significant goals.
Porto, conversely, is enjoying a stellar start to the season, with 10 wins and a draw in their last 11 games across all competitions. They sit atop the Primeira Liga and recently showcased their dominance with a 4-0 victory over lower-league Celoricense in the Taca de Liga, where striker Samu Aghehowa netted a second-half hat-trick. Porto has also won both of their opening matches in the Europa League, defeating Red Bull Salzburg and Red Star Belgrade, and will aim to extend their impressive form with a third consecutive victory in the tournament.
Historically, Porto’s track record against English teams has been mixed, securing only 10 wins in 49 encounters. However, they have made substantial strides this season and will enter the match confident, especially given their unbeaten away record this term.
In terms of team news, Nottingham Forest’s squad will be missing full-back Ola Aina due to recovery from surgery, while several key players have been excluded from the Europa League roster. Dyche is expected to implement strategic changes, possibly switching to a four-man defense, with potential recalls for captain Ryan Yates and others in midfield and attack.
Porto, meanwhile, will be without Luuk de Jong and Nehuen Perez for this match due to injuries, yet their strong squad depth offers them the opportunity to field a competitive side that includes their top performers.
As the teams gear up for what promises to be an electrifying atmosphere at the City Ground, Forest’s players will be eager to impress under Dyche’s guidance, even as Porto poses a formidable challenge. The fixture presents a chance for Dyche to instill his defensive tactics and potentially halt a disheartening trend that has followed Forest, although an immediate turnaround against a strong Porto side may be an uphill battle.