• Home
  • Football
timer

This preview has expired.

See all our latest betting tips or suggested betting sites

Braga vs Nottingham Forest Predictions, HTH & Betting Tips - UEFA Europa League

matthew-marshall
Editor
Last updated: Wed 21 Jan 2026 13:41
Braga faces Nottingham Forest in a much-anticipated UEFA Europa League showdown. Despite recent struggles, both clubs aim to turn the tide. Braga's home stronghold could pose challenges, where Nottingham Forest hopes to leverage its relatively stronger squad, despite its Premier League woes. Historical stats favor Braga in head-to-head matchups, but current inconsistencies keep the scales balanced. Key players are lined up, with strategic changes predicted. As anticipation builds, a draw seems likely, with odds at 3.40.
Matthew Marshall 21 Jan 2026
Share this article
Or copy link
  • Forest have won 1 of their previous 7 matches
  • The English club have a far stronger squad than Braga
  • I am expecting a close clash in the Europa League
Expired
Nottingham Forest uefa city
Nottingham Forest are unbeaten in five of their six Europa League games (Getty)

Braga are in poor form but remain hard to beat at home. Nottingham Forest are flirting with relegation and can’t be backed with any confidence, my money on a draw in the Europa League.

HTH


This will be the first match between Braga and Nottingham Forest.

Braga Inconsistent


Braga are still hurting after exiting two competitions this month. They beat Benfica 3-1 in the League Cup semi-finals before squandering a 1-0 lead to local rivals Vitoria de Guimaraes in the final.

Carlos Vicens’ side suffered a 2-1 loss at Fafe in the Portuguese Cup quarter-finals, a humiliating defeat against the third division club.

The Warriors had a lot of luck at Tondela on Sunday. Gustaf Lagerbielke was sent off before Lukas Hornicek saved a late penalty, Rodrigo Zalazar scoring from the spot in added time to secure a 1-0 victory.

Vicens discussed the inconsistency, saying: “Well, I think what was missing was consistently maintaining a very high level, which isn't easy, especially within a process with a new coach who brought new ideas.”

“Then, there was also a schedule where the first games demanded points. So, from the beginning there was this demand that will always exist at Braga, but which meant the team barely had time to breathe.

“Within this growth process, you always had to compete to win, and there were ups and downs along the way.”

Forest in a Relegation Battle


Nottingham Forest won three straight games in November and picked up three victories in December, but the wheels have now fallen off in a hurry.

Sean Dyche saw his side lose four consecutive matches across the new year break, including a 2-0 home defeat to Everton.

A 2-1 win at West Ham relieved the pressure momentarily, but a penalty shootout defeat at Wrexham in the FA Cup turned up the heat on the manager.

Forest earned a 0-0 draw against Arsenal on Saturday, ending the contest with no shots on target and 0.34-2.10 expected goals.

Dyche commented after the match, saying: "It's not easy playing these sides, the commitment is different. There's the commitment to score a goal of course, but what about the commitment to the shape, the basics, the hard yards of the game?"

"And I thought we did that fantastically well as a group. They still had a couple of chances but listen they're a top side and they're flying.

"But to get a clean sheet against them is amazing. We had a couple of chances ourselves but it's hard to open them up, as they've shown all season."

Predicted Lineups & Team News


Braga (3-4-3) Lukas Hornicek; Gustaf Lagerbielke, Sikou Niakate, Bright Arrey Mbi; Victor Gomez, Florian Grillitsch, Joao Moutinho, Leonardo Lelo; Rodrigo Zalazar, Fran Navarro, Ricardo Horta

Jonatas Noro, Sandro Vidigal and Amine El Ouazzani remain out injured. Rodrigo Zalazar is suspended and could be replaced by Gabri Martinez

Expect Vicens to make changes here with Fran Navarro to replace Pau Victor up front.

Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1) Matz Sels; Nicolo Savona, Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo, Neco Williams; Elliot Anderson, Douglas Luiz; Dan Ndoye, Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi; Igor Jesus

Goalkeeper John Victor and striker Chris Wood remain out with knee injuries. Jair Cunha, Ola Aina, Omari Hutchinson and Taiwo Awoniyi are all ineligible.

Nicolo Savona, Douglas Luiz and Dan Ndoye are expected to start in Portugal with Ibrahim Sangare and Nicolas Domínguez making way.

Verdict

Nottingham Forest are struggling in the Premier League but will fancy their chances of overtaking Braga in the Europa League. The Portuguese club are tough to beat at the Quarry where I am expecting a draw.

Best Bet1: Draw Full Time Result @12/5 at Hollywood bets - 3 Units
Best Bet2: 1-1 Draw Correct Score @11/2 at bet365 - 1 Unit
Draw
Full Time Result
@12/5 - 3 Units
£30 Free Bet
Use promo code NEWBONUS

Claim £30 free bet & 20 Free Spins. Use the promo code NEWBONUS. New Hollywoodbets account holders. 18 years or older. United Kingdom residents only. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Hollywood bets
1-1 Draw
Correct Score
@11/2 - 1 Unit
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad

Bet at bet365

Top Betting Sites

special-offer-1Betting offers

Upcoming Events

22 Jan 2026

Braga v Nottm Forest