Match Preview

The revamped UEFA Europa League 2025/26 – League Phase reaches its decisive Matchday 8 as Nottingham Forest welcome Ferencváros to the historic City Ground. Under the new single-table league system, every point matters, and this clash brings together two clubs firmly in the European conversation.

Ferencváros have been one of the surprise packages of the competition. After five league-phase games they boast an impressive record of 3 wins, 2 draws and 0 defeats, scoring 9 goals and conceding just 5, for a goal difference of +4 and a total of 11 points. That form places the reigning Hungarian champions in or around the top six of the overall table, well on course for at least the knockout play-offs and very much in contention for a coveted top-eight finish and direct passage to the Round of 16.

Nottingham Forest have built up momentum as the league phase has progressed. Their current Europa League record stands at 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat, with 9 goals scored and 5 conceded – the same +4 goal difference as Ferencváros – giving them 8 points. That tally puts Forest in the mid-table knockout zone, just outside the top eight but safely above the elimination places, and within striking distance of the leading pack.

With Ferencváros defending an unbeaten record and Forest buoyed by recent European and domestic wins under their new manager, the City Ground is set for a high-stakes, finely balanced contest between two teams in good form and full of belief.

TV Broadcast and Livestreams

The Nottingham Forest vs Ferencváros showdown will be shown live by official Europa League broadcast partners around the world. In the UK, coverage is scheduled for the standard Thursday evening slot, while viewers across Europe and beyond can follow the action via regional rights holders and licensed streaming platforms.

Fans are advised to check local TV guides and official competition information to confirm the exact channel or streaming service carrying the match in their country.

Match Information

Form Guide and League-Phase Records

Nottingham Forest recent form: Forest’s Europa League campaign started inconsistently, but they have surged back into contention. A nostalgic 3–0 home win over Malmö at the City Ground, echoing their famous 1979 European Cup final triumph, underlined this resurgence and extended a sequence of strong results across all competitions. Confidence is rising, and the Tricky Trees now see a top-eight push as a realistic target.

Ferencváros recent form: The Hungarian champions have combined their Europa League performances with another strong domestic campaign. A key result was a 3–1 home win over Ludogorets, and they have also collected valuable points away from home, including a hard-earned draw in Istanbul against Fenerbahçe. Overall, Ferencváros arrive in England as one of the competition’s most consistent and well-balanced sides.

*Positions are approximate and based on the latest league-phase standings prior to Matchday 8.

Head-to-Head History

Despite both clubs’ rich histories in European competition, Nottingham Forest and Ferencváros have not previously met in an official UEFA match. Any earlier encounters are limited to friendlies or minor tournaments, meaning this Europa League tie effectively opens a fresh chapter between two tradition-heavy clubs.

For Forest, it is another step in their first major European campaign since the mid-1990s. For Ferencváros, it represents a chance to add a new name to their long list of continental opponents and to test themselves against a club whose European pedigree includes back-to-back European Cup titles.

Tactical Outlook

Nottingham Forest: intensity, width and set-piece threat

Under their current coaching setup, Forest have developed an identity built on work-rate, compactness and well-timed attacking surges. At home, the plan is likely to include:

• Structured build-up from the back, with centre-backs and the holding midfielder looking to find Morgan Gibbs-White between the lines to link play.
• Use of wide areas, pushing full-backs on and encouraging wingers or inside forwards to attack the channels and deliver low crosses and cut-backs.
• Targeted pressing triggers, especially when Ferencváros play short from the goalkeeper, to force errors in advanced areas.
• Danger from set-pieces, where physically strong players such as Nikola Milenković pose a threat on corners and wide free-kicks.

If Forest can sustain their intensity and keep the City Ground crowd engaged, they will believe they can tilt the contest in their favour – particularly given their recent confidence-boosting European wins.

Ferencváros: compact structure and smart transitions

Ferencváros bring a balanced, pragmatic style that has served them well throughout the league phase. In Nottingham, their tactical priorities are likely to be:

• Maintaining a compact 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 shape, reducing space between the lines and refusing to allow Forest’s creators room in central areas.
• Using quick transitions, springing forward through players like Barnabás Varga and the advanced midfielders whenever Forest overcommit.
• Controlling game tempo, slowing play when necessary to frustrate the home side and take the sting out of the atmosphere.
• Leveraging technical quality in midfield to keep possession and force Forest to chase, which could open up spaces late in the game.

Ferencváros’ challenge will be to balance their ambition – knowing a win would strengthen their top-eight case – with the discipline required to withstand spells of Forest pressure at the City Ground.

Standings Context – League-Phase Table

*Based on the Europa League league-phase format: positions 1–8 go straight to the Round of 16, 9–24 advance to the knockout play-offs, and 25–36 are eliminated.

Match Outlook and Prediction

Predicted Final Score: Nottingham Forest 2–1 Ferencváros

This fixture brings together one of the competition’s form teams and one of its most consistent performers. Ferencváros arrive unbeaten and high in the table, with a defensive record that commands respect and an attack capable of punishing any lapse in concentration.

Nottingham Forest, however, have turned the City Ground into a difficult venue once again. Strong home showings, including a commanding win over Malmö, suggest that Forest are growing into the competition and starting to translate their improved domestic form into Europe. Driven on by a passionate crowd and with momentum on their side, they may just have the extra edge required on the night.

The most balanced expectation is a tight, high-quality match in which both teams create chances. Ferencváros’ organisation and counter-attacking threat should ensure they are never out of the game, but home advantage and Forest’s recent surge tip the scales slightly towards the English side. A predicted scoreline of Nottingham Forest 2–1 Ferencváros reflects that delicate balance of form, talent and context.

Important: This prediction is based purely on football analysis. It is not advice or encouragement to place bets. Any form of gambling is strictly for adults, must comply with local laws and should always be approached responsibly.