Nottingham Forest face Porto at the Estadio do Dragao in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final this evening
05:00, 09 Apr 2026Updated 07:50, 09 Apr 2026
Head coach Vitor Pereira oversees Nottingham Forest training(Image: Getty)
Here we are, then. Nottingham Forest in the last eight of a European competition for the first time in 30 years.
The Reds are just four games away from a shot at Europa League glory. They can almost smell the silverware.
There is a long way to go before talk turns to trophy chances, of course. Porto will have something to say about that.
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Refreshed and revitalised from the international break, Forest return to action at the Estadio do Dragao this evening (8pm kick-off). Their aim in the first leg of their quarter-final will be to put themselves in a good position for next week’s return fixture at the City Ground.
The challenge for Vitor Pereira is to navigate the encounter in Portugal while keeping one eye on the battle for Premier League safety. With that in mind, NottinghamshireLive looks at some of the big talking points as Forest head into the final stretch of the season…
How strong should Pereira go with his starting XI against Porto?
Survival or silverware? That has been a source of debate while the Reds have maintained a precarious position in the top-flight table.
But does it have to be one or the other? Can it not be both? There is still so much at play now the calendar has turned to April; several scenarios could still pan out.
Balancing the demands of competing on two fronts is a tricky path to tread, but Pereira has already shown he is adept at performing a juggling act. The two-legged victory over FC Midtjylland in the last 16 of the Europa League proved as such.
Going to Denmark with a deficit to overturn and a huge clash away to Tottenham Hotspur straight after was not ideal. But Forest did it and Pereira got his team selection and distribution of minutes spot on – despite also having to negotiate extra-time and penalties.
The wins over Midtjylland and Spurs just before the hiatus provided a gigantic confidence boost and a platform to build on. Now the Reds have to keep that going.
They have an important meeting at home to Aston Villa to come on Sunday, but opportunities to go far in Europe do not come around very often. The tie with Porto will not be won or lost tonight, but a foundation can be put in place.
The majority of players should be well rested and raring to go. A mix of regular first-teamers and fringe players could be the way forward once again, although I’d be tempted to go very strong from the off.
Is all the transfer talk somewhat of a distraction?
Barely a week goes by at the minute without at least one Forest player being talked about for a move. Speculation about many of the club’s prized assets has been going on for months.
Murillo, Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson, in particular, have been regular entries in the gossip columns. The likes of Matz Sels and Neco Williams are now being mentioned as well.
The summer is a long way off, though, and much can happen between now and then – not least the determination of which division the Reds will be in for next term. Whether they stay up or go down will have a significant bearing on how the window pans out, both in terms of incomings and outgoings.
Plenty of Forest fans seem to have already made peace with the likelihood at least one of the star men will move on. Even if the Reds beat the drop, the chances of Anderson staying put are slim.
But for the midfielder, and any of his teammates whose futures might be up in the air, the immediate focus is on the matter in hand. They have a job to do Trentside first.
Transfer talk goes with the territory. Players generally become accustomed to it and can compartmentalise. Pereira needs to ensure they do just that.
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Who is leading the race for Forest player of the season?
For all the ups and downs of this campaign, there are probably a few candidates in contention for the honour. And with so much at stake and a lot of games still to be played, the list could yet change.
Williams must be part of the discussion. Aside from the odd blip, he has been the most consistent performer.
Anderson has been quality. There is no wonder the figure being touted regarding a potential summer switch is eye-popping, with the latest fee being mentioned in the region of £100-120 million.
Having Ibrahim Sangare alongside him has, arguably, played a key part in Anderson being able to shine. The former PSV man has really shown what he is about this term.
Not so long ago, Gibbs-White probably wouldn’t have been in the running for Forest’s player of the season but he has really stepped up of late. He has provided big moments in big games and seems to be stretching every sinew to keep the club up.
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