The revolving managerial door at Nottingham Forest has swung open, with Sean Dyche ready to step straight into a UEFA Europa League battle against Porto.
After Ange Postecoglou replaced Nuno Espirito Santo in September, the Australian lasted just 39 days and eight matches in charge before he too was gone. Now, former Everton boss Dyche has taken the reins at the City Ground.
Dyche will take charge of Forest for the first time against Portuguese giants Porto, who themselves are in the process of rebuilding.
The appointment of former Ajax and Nice boss Francesco Farioli has appeared to rejuvenate the Dragons, who have pushed back to the top of the Portuguese Primeira Liga table.
AllSportsPeople brings you our betting preview for this one, complete with the latest tips, predictions and odds.
Nottingham Forest vs. Porto: Who Will Win?
Forest have gone from one extreme to the other in terms of their intended style of football with the appointment of Dyche, albeit his system should resemble something more similar to that which Nuno Espirito Santo had success with last season to qualify for this competition.
Dyche should ensure Forest become tougher to beat again, while he will also look to utilise the abundance of talent within his squad, many of whom are especially suited to playing counter-attacking football.
Porto have been very strong defensively this season, conceding just once in the Primeira Liga, and so a low-scoring encounter could be on the cards here.
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Nottingham Forest vs. Porto Form Guide
Nottingham Forest — Last 5 Matches (All Competitions)
- Nottingham Forest 0-3 Chelsea (Premier League)
- Newcastle United 2-0 Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
- Nottingham Forest 2-3 Midtjylland (Europa League)
- Nottingham Forest 0-1 Sunderland (Premier League)
- Nottingham Forest 2-2 Real Betis (Europa League)
Porto — Last 5 Matches (All Competitions)
- Celoricense 0-4 Porto (Taca de Portugal)
- Porto 0-0 Benfica (Primeira Liga)
- Porto 2-1 Crvena Zvezda (Europa League)
- Arouca 0-4 Porto (Primeira Liga)
- Red Bull Salzburg 0-1 Porto (Europa League)
Nottingham Forest vs. Porto Score Prediction
Nottingham Forest are winless in 10 matches across all competitions since defeating Brentford 3-1 on the opening day of the Premier League season, but things simply have to improve under the management of Dyche.
They do have an abundance of quality but their immediate plan will be to try and shut things down up against a strong Porto side, marked out as one of the pre-tournament favourites for this trophy.
Porto head to the City Ground more than capable of winning, but they may be reluctant to risk too much going forward. A draw would appear to suit both sides for different reasons.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Porto (147/25 with Betfair)
Nottingham Forest vs. Porto Team News
Nottingham Forest Team News
- Dyche is likely to look to many of the Forest side who enjoyed such success with a similar style of play to his favoured approach last season, with Chris Wood set to start up-front. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him go for a 4-4-2 with Igor Jesus also up top.
- Morgan Gibbs-White could be shifted out to the left-hand side, although Dyche must weigh up whether to bring in a more traditional winger from the many Forest have in their squad.
- There is just one confirmed absentee for the hosts, with Nigeria international defender Ola Aina sidelined until the new year.
Porto Team News
- Porto have a few absentees for this one as key defender Nehuen Perez remains sidelined through injury, alongside experienced summer signing Luuk de Jong.
- They also remain without back-up player Tomas Perez, who has been away with Argentina at the FIFA U20 World Cup.
- Francesco Farioli has some really standout names in his squad, and look out for Gabri Veiga and Samu Omorodion to shine.
Nottingham Forest vs. Porto Predicted Lineups
This is how we think these two sides will line up.
Nottingham Forest predicted lineup to play Porto
(4-4-2) Sels (GK) — Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Zinchenko – Hutchinson, Yates, Anderson, Gibbs-White – Jesus, Wood
Porto predicted lineup to play Nottingham Forest
(4-3-3) D. Costa (GK) – Alberto Costa, Bednarek, Kiwior, Moura – Froholdt, Varela, Veiga – Pepe, Samu, Sainz
Nottingham Forest vs. Porto Betting Odds
- Nottingham Forest to Win: 29/20 with 10Bet
- Porto to Win: 2/1 with Paddy Power
- Draw: 12/5 with Ladbrokes
Nottingham Forest vs. Porto Bet Builder Tips
Our bet builder for this one is Both Teams To Score but Under 3.5 goals, Chris Wood to have a shot on target, Ryan Yates to commit three or more fouls and Porto to have the most corners in the match. That combo comes to overall odds of 14.37/1 with Sky Bet.
You can build your own bet builder and compare the best bookmaker prices using the tool below.
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs. Porto: Live stream, TV channel
Here's all the key information on how to watch Nottingham Forest vs. Porto tonight.
- Date: Thursday, October 23
- Venue: City Ground, Nottingham, England
- Time: 8:00 p.m. BST
- TV/Stream: TNT Sports / discovery+