Nottingham Forest take on FC Midtjylland in Denmark in the second leg of their last 16 Europa League tie this evening
05:00, 19 Mar 2026
Nottingham Forest players in training ahead of their clash with Midtjylland
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Nottingham Forest players in training ahead of their clash with Midtjylland(Image: PA)
Survival or a shot at European glory, that is the dilemma for Nottingham Forest head coach Vitor Pereira.
Sacrificing one does not guarantee the other, of course - if only it did. But it is becoming increasingly difficult for the Reds to juggle the demands of continuing to fight on two fronts.
It is why Pereira has admitted changes will be made to his starting line-up in Denmark this evening (5.45pm kick-off). The opportunity to reach a European quarter-final does not come around often - indeed, it might be some years before Forest tread this path again - but trying to retain the club’s top flight status has to come first.
Pereira’s selection decisions for tonight’s Europa League last 16 second leg away to FC Midtjylland will be made with Sunday’s huge Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur in mind. The Reds will still give it their all to overcome a 1-0 deficit at the MCH Arena, but it may well be with several of their fringe players on the pitch.
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A shortage of options limits Pereira’s ability to mix things up at the back and may well influence what formation he goes with. Jair Cunha has been ruled out with a foot issue so it seems likely a four-man defence will be the way to go - perhaps with Morato getting some minutes.
It could be one of the centre-backs fills in at full-back, to give Ola Aina or Neco Williams a breather. And there might be a change in goal, with Stefan Ortega in contention after recovering from injury and being added to the Europa squad.
In midfield, Pereira will surely rest key duo Ibrahim Sangare and Elliot Anderson. The latter started alongside Nicolas Dominguez in last week’s first leg, but it would be no surprise to see Ryan Yates come in alongside the Argentine this time around.
At the top end of the pitch, Dan Ndoye has put himself in contention for a start with his positive cameo against Fulham at the weekend - it just depends whether Pereira wants to save the winger for the trip to the capital. Whether Callum Hudson-Odoi and/or Omari Hutchinson are in from the off will provide an indication of Forest’s plans for Sunday, and it might be Dilane Bakwa is in line for a rare start.
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Given his importance to the cause, it seems unlikely Morgan Gibbs-White will be risked for this one as he will be crucial in the capital. Pereira made a point on Sunday of referencing how James McAtee has shown in training how he can “do magical things”, so this may well be another big chance for the summer signing to impress.
In deciding who gets the nod up front, Pereira might also offer a clue as to his thinking for Tottenham. Taiwo Awoniyi is not in the Europa squad but must surely be in contention to make the XI at the weekend after he caused all sorts of problems from off the bench against Fulham.
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With that in mind, Igor Jesus could play this evening and drop to being a substitute against Spurs. If Lorenzo Lucca starts, though, it might be that Pereira is resting Jesus with the intention of the Brazilian retaining his spot on Sunday.
Forest predicted XI: Ortega; Aina, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Yates, Dominguez; Ndoye, McAtee, Hutchinson; Jesus.
Who should start against Midtjylland? Click HERE to have your say