SC Braga vs Forest

A high-stakes clash between two of the Europa League's most consistent performers takes place at the "Quarry" today, Thursday, January 22, 2026, as SC Braga hosts Nottingham Forest. Kick-off is set for 20:00 GMT (15:00 ET / 21:00 local).

This penultimate league phase fixture is a battle for the top eight. SC Braga currently occupies 7th place (13 points), and a victory tonight would almost certainly guarantee them a direct ticket to the Round of 16. Nottingham Forest, sitting in 11th place (11 points), can leapfrog their hosts with a win, moving them into the automatic qualification spots.

Match Information

SC Braga: The Fortress of the Quarry

Under the guidance of Carlos Vicens, Braga has become one of the most difficult teams to beat at home in Europe. They have transformed the Estádio Municipal into a fortress, winning 10 of their last 13 European home matches. However, they face a massive challenge tonight as they are forced to play without their primary offensive engine.

Team News and Selection:

• Suspension Blow: Top scorer Rodrigo Zalazar, who has 14 goals in all competitions this season, is serving a continental suspension.

• Injury Crisis: The Archbishops are without Amine El Ouazzani (foot) and Sandro Vidigal. January signing Samy Merheg is ineligible for this stage.

• The "Horta" Milestone: Club icon Ricardo Horta is set to make his 50th Europa League start tonight, a testament to his longevity and importance to the side.

• Predicted XI (4-3-3): Matheus; Gomez, Niakaté, Arrey-Mbi, Marin; Moutinho, Carvalho, Grillitsch; Bruma, Victor, Horta.

Nottingham Forest: The "Dyche" Resilience

Sean Dyche, who took over as Forest's third manager of the season in October, has instilled a trademark defensive grit that has served the Reds well in Europe. Despite their domestic struggles (currently 17th in the Premier League), Forest remains unbeaten away from home in the Europa League this season.

Team News and Selection:

• Major Doubt: Leading striker Igor Jesus is a significant doubt after sustaining a knock in training; he did not travel with the initial squad but could be flown out late.

• Defensive Boost: Ola Aina and Angus Gunn were recently added to the registered roster, providing much-needed depth. Gunn is expected to start in goal following an injury to John Victor.

• Key Absences: Chris Wood (knee) remains sidelined, while Taiwo Awoniyi and Omari Hutchinson are ineligible for this phase.

• Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Gunn; Savona, Milenković, Murillo, Williams; Sangaré, Anderson; Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Elanga; Jesus (or Ndoye).

? Head-to-Head (H2H) and Tactical Trends

• First Official Meeting: This is the first-ever competitive match between the two clubs. Their only previous encounter was a 2016 friendly, which Forest won 3–0.

• Defensive Discipline: Forest has recorded more interceptions in the defensive third than any other side in the league phase, a hallmark of Sean Dyche's low-block system.

• The 39-Year-Old Engine: João Moutinho continues to defy age, having completed more successful long balls (22) than any other midfielder in the competition this year.

• Braga’s Home Streak: The Portuguese side has kept nine clean sheets in their last 13 European home matches.

Tactical Analysis and Prediction

This match is a fascinating contrast in philosophies: Carlos Vicens’s possession-based "Spanish style" at Braga versus Sean Dyche’s "maximum efficiency" 4-2-3-1. Without Zalazar, Braga will rely heavily on the creativity of Ricardo Horta and the evergreen João Moutinho to break down a Forest side that recently held Arsenal to a 0–0 draw.

Forest will likely sit deep and look to exploit the pace of Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi on the counter. If Igor Jesus is fit to start, his physicality could trouble Braga’s backline. However, given Braga's incredible home record and Forest's tendency to play for draws in tough away environments, a tactical stalemate is a strong possibility.

Final Score Prediction: SC Braga 1–1 Nottingham Forest