FC Utrecht v Nottingham Forest predictions, team news, betting tips, odds and Bet Builder

FC Utrecht v Nottingham Forest kick-off, date & TV info 

Date Thursday, December 11
Kick-off 5.45pm
Venue Stadion Galgenwaard, Utrecht
Competition Europa League
TV TNT Sports 1

Nottingham Forest have eight points on the board after five rounds of fixtures in the Europa League and they are well placed to secure a spot in the knockout stage.

FC Utrecht probably need a victory if they are to stand any chance of avoiding a league-phase exit. The hosts have just one point to show from their five games, leaving them five points adrift of the playoff places with just three games remaining.

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FC Utrecht v Nottingham Forest betting tips & predictions

Best bet

Both teams to score
3pts 17-20 Coral, Ladbrokes

Player shots

Callum Hudson-Odoi to have three or more shots
23-20 Coral, Ladbrokes

FC Utrecht v Nottingham Forest preview 

Nottingham Forest know a victory in the Netherlands on Thursday will leave them well positioned to secure an automatic last-16 spot going into the final two rounds of fixtures but FC Utrecht are in greater need of the points.

The hosts have struggled in this competition with just one point to show for their efforts but they’ve also had some incredibly tough games. Utrecht managed a draw with Porto in their last home European game and the only result in this competition that can really be viewed as a disappointment is perhaps a 1-0 defeat at Brann. Their other losses have come against Lyon, Freiburg and, most recently, Real Betis. 

Forest are the clear favourites to win on Thursday but they look a little too short considering they have picked up just two victories on their travels this season, neither of which came in the Europa League.

Utrecht are on a four-game winless run but they’ve only lost one of those games and at home they’re unbeaten in seven - a run that includes a win over Ajax and their draw with Porto.

Pulling clear of the Premier League drop zone remains the priority for Forest and they have rotated their squad in Europe as a result. With a tough game to come against Tottenham at the weekend, manager Sean Dyche is likely to stick with that policy so we could be set for a fairly open game.

Both teams have scored in Utrecht's last six games, including their last two European games, and that trend could well continue. 

Forest have been fairly solid at the back since Dyche took charge but have shown vulnerabilities lately. The Reds shipped three in defeat to Everton at the weekend and have now conceded five goals in their last three games.

Utrecht are the team in greater need and they are generally good for a goal at home, having scored in ten of their 13 games at this venue. 

Hudson-Odoi can rack up the shots

Callum Hudson-Odoi has had to settle for a bit-part role in the Premier League this season but he’s been a regular in the Europa League, starting four games and missing one through injury.

The Forest forward hasn’t managed to get on the scoresheet in Europe but he’s been getting plenty of chances. Hudson-Odoi had four attempts against Malmo in the last round of games and has had at least three shots in all of his Europa League outings.

FC Utrecht vs Nottingham Forest Bet Builder

Both teams to score

Callum Hudson-Odoi to have three or more shots

Alonzo Engwanda to be booked

Utrecht midfielder Alonzo Engwanda is averaging over a foul per-game in both the Eredivisie and the Europa League. The Belgian has picked up three yellow cards in his last four games across all competitions. 

Pays out at 12-1 with bet365

Key stats for FC Utrecht vs Nottingham Forest

♦ Both teams have scored in each of Utrecht's last six games
♦ Utrecht have gone 16 games without a clean sheet
♦ Nottingham Forest have scored nine goals in five Europa League games
♦ Nottingham Forest have just one win in four previous attempts against Dutch opposition, with three defeats
♦ Utrecht have scored ten goals in their last six home games

FC Utrecht vs Nottingham Forest betting odds

Sign up with Tote to bet on FC Utrecht vs Nottingham Forest in the Europa League. Here are the latest odds for Thursday's match.

Odds correct at time of publishing

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FC Utrecht vs Nottingham Forest team news and predicted line-ups

FC Utrecht

Barkas Vasileios should return in goal for Utrecht after missing the defeat at Betis through suspension, but injured midfielder Davy van den Berg will miss out.

Predicted line-up (4-3-3): Barkas; Horemans, Van der Hoorn, Viergever, El Karouani; Bozdogan, Engwanda-Ongena, De Wit; Rodriguez, Haller, Cathline
Subs: Brouwer, Min, Didden, Blake, Eerdhuijzen, Finsson, Van Ommeren

Nottingham Forest

Forest are dealing with a lengthy injury list with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Chris Wood among their absentees. Ryan Yates lasted just 15 minutes after coming off the bench before being forced off against Everton and he's unlikely to be involved, while Murillo has missed the last three games and is rated as a doubt. 

Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Sels; Savona, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Dominguez, Sangare; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Kalimuendo
Subs: Victor, Jesus, McAtee, Anderson, Sinclair, Abbott, Boly

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FAQs

When is FC Utrecht v Nottingham Forest in the Europa League?

The match kicks off at 5.45pm on Thursday, December 11.

Where is FC Utrecht v Nottingham Forest being played?

This Europa League game between FC Utrecht and Nottingham Forest is being plated at the Stadion Galgenwaard in Utrecht.

Where can I watch FC Utrecht v Nottingham Forest?

There is live coverage of FC Utrecht v Nottingham Forest on TNT Sports 1.

What is the match betting for FC Utrecht v Nottingham Forest?

Nottingham Forest are the 3-4 favourites, FC Utrecht are 15-4 and a draw is 27-10.

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