Nottingham Forest is poised to cement its advancement into the Europa League last 16 as they welcome Fenerbahçe to the City Ground. Following a decisive 3-0 victory in the first leg held in Istanbul, the English side holds a significant advantage. This upcoming fixture presents an opportunity for Forest to build on their impressive European form, despite a recent narrow defeat in domestic play. The team's robust home defense in European competitions provides a strong foundation for their pursuit of further success.
The first leg, a dominant display by Nottingham Forest, saw goals from Murillo, Igor Jesus, and Morgan Gibbs-White, marking a memorable debut for their manager and the club's largest European away win. This commanding lead allows Forest a comfortable margin, as they can still progress even with a two-goal deficit. The atmosphere at the City Ground is expected to be electric, with fans eager to witness their team secure a spot in the next stage of the competition.
Conversely, Fenerbahçe faces a monumental challenge, described as a 'mission impossible' by many, after their unexpected home defeat. The Turkish club has a history of struggling to overturn first-leg deficits in European knockout ties, having failed in all 26 previous attempts. Compounding their difficulties is a significant injury crisis, which has sidelined several key players. Their historical performance in England also presents a hurdle, with only one victory in ten previous away European matches in the country.
Nottingham Forest's manager, Vítor Pereira, has indicated that he plans to introduce fresh legs into the squad to maintain energy levels, learning from their recent domestic encounter where fatigue was a factor in the second half. Despite this, the core of the team remains consistent, as a number of players are still recovering from injuries, including Matz Sels, Chris Wood, and Willy Boly. January signing Luca Netz is also ineligible, further limiting options.
Fenerbahçe's situation is more dire, with several prominent players like Milan Škriniar, Çağlar Söyüncü, Anderson Talisca, Ederson, and Edson Álvarez ruled out due to injuries. Adding to their woes, Jayden Oosterwolde is both injured and suspended, while former Manchester United midfielder Fred is also sidelined due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Mert Günok and Anthony Musaba are also unavailable for this competition.
Nottingham Forest is on the brink of achieving a rare feat: three consecutive major European victories, a milestone not seen since the 1983-84 season. Their defensive prowess at home has been a hallmark of their European campaign, having kept clean sheets in their last three Europa League matches at the City Ground. While their domestic home form has been inconsistent, their European performances have been a source of pride and optimism.
Fenerbahçe, despite their daunting task, has shown resilience on the road. They are currently on an unbeaten streak of 14 away matches and have scored in 10 consecutive away games. However, their inability to advance after trailing in the first leg of European knockout ties remains a significant psychological barrier. The team will need an extraordinary performance to overcome both their historical record and their current injury woes.
This decisive encounter is scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2026, with kick-off at 20:00 GMT at the City Ground in Nottingham. The match will be officiated by Maurizio Mariani, with Marco Di Bello overseeing VAR. Football enthusiasts in the UK can catch the live broadcast on TNT Sports 1 or stream the action via the discovery+ app. The stage is set for a compelling match as Forest aims to secure their European future and Fenerbahçe battles against the odds.