Nottingham Forest will welcome European football back home when Midtjylland come calling on Thursday night.

Nottingham Forest’s search for a first win under new head coach Ange Postecoglou continues on Thursday night, as they welcome Danish side FC Midtjylland to the City Ground in a Europa League clash.

Forest’s continental return has been anything but smooth. Their opening Europa League fixture against Real Betis promised much, with new signing Igor Jesus bagging a brace to put the Tricky Trees 2-1 ahead, only for Antony to strike late and deny them a historic away win. That 2-2 draw added to Postecoglou’s shaky start, with Forest winless in five games across all competitions under his management (D2 L3) and leaking ten goals during that stretch.

Domestically, Forest’s struggles have left them hovering just above the relegation zone in 17th place, with last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Sunderland only heightening pressure on Postecoglou. The Australian tactician bemoaned his side’s lack of ruthlessness in the final third, a recurring theme of recent weeks.

Thursday’s clash will mark Nottingham Forest’s first home game in a major European competition since March 1996, when they were dismantled 5-1 by Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup. However, their current form at the City Ground offers little comfort, losing five of their last seven home matches without scoring (W1 D1).

FC Midtjylland, meanwhile, arrive in buoyant mood. The Danish runners-up opened their Europa League account with a 2-0 win over Sturm Graz, their first-ever opening-round victory in a European campaign. Ousmane Diao’s late header sealed the points after a freak own goal gifted them an early lead. That triumph was their sixth straight win in Europe, a club record, and they have since extended their overall winning streak to four matches under new manager Mike Tullberg.

The Wolves have shown resilience domestically as well, most recently rallying from behind to beat Randers 2-1 on Monday, keeping them just two points behind league leaders AGF. However, history does not favour them against English sides. Midtjylland’s only win in four previous attempts came in February 2016, when they stunned Manchester United 2-1 in the Europa League.

This clash pits a Forest side desperate for a turning point against a Midtjylland outfit full of confidence and momentum. While the hosts will hope a European night under the lights can lift them, the visitors will view this as an opportunity to extend their remarkable run and make a real statement. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.

Team News & Tactics

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest continue to face issues with player availability. Defender Ola Aina remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while both Douglas Luiz and Murillo are nursing thigh problems and could miss out once again. Meanwhile, Oleksandr Zinchenko is a short-term absentee due to a groin injury.

In addition, Omari Hutchinson has not been included in the club’s Europa League squad and is therefore unavailable for selection. These absences leave Ange Postecoglou with some key decisions to make, particularly in defence and midfield.

Looking at the potential setup, Postecoglou is unlikely to make wholesale changes at the back, meaning Matz Sels should continue in goal, shielded by a defensive four consisting of Neco Williams at left-back, Nikola Milenkovic and Morato as the central defensive pairing, and Nicolo Savona at right-back.

In midfield, there could be recalls for Ibrahim Sangare and Morgan Gibbs-White, who may replace Nicolas Domínguez and James McAtee in the starting XI. Sangare is expected to partner Elliot Anderson in the double pivot, providing both defensive stability and transitional play through the middle. Ahead of them, Gibbs-White should occupy the central attacking midfield role, linking play with the forwards.

On the flanks, Dilane Bakwa is set to feature on the right wing, while Callum Hudson-Odoi will look to regain his place on the left, offering pace and creativity in wide areas. Up front, Igor Jesus, who scored twice in Forest’s Europa League opener against Real Betis, will start as the lone striker. If he does, the Brazilian could become only the second player in Forest’s history to score in both of his first two appearances in major European competitions, after Joe Baker achieved the feat in October 1967 during the Fairs Cup.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sels; Savona, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Sangare, Anderson; Bakwa, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus

FC Midtjylland

FC Midtjylland will be missing two players for their trip to the City Ground. Goalkeeper Ovie Ejeheri is ineligible to feature in this season’s Europa League squad, while midfielder Mikel Gogorza is sidelined with a hamstring injury and will play no part. In positive news, Chilean winger Dario Osorio has recovered from a recent muscle problem and was fit enough to be named on the bench during the victory over Randers, which boosts Mike Tullberg’s attacking options.

When it comes to their formation, Midtjylland are likely to stick with their preferred 3-5-2 shape. Elias Olafsson should start in goal, protected by a back three consisting of Ousmane Diao, Martin Erlic, and Mads Bech Sorensen. On the flanks, Kevin Mbabu is expected to reclaim his spot at right wing-back, while Brazilian defender Paulinho should start on the left. If he does, it will mark his 29th appearance in major European competitions, making him the club’s all-time record appearance-holder in Europe, surpassing Joel Andersson.

In central midfield, Philip Billing will be the key figure, bringing Premier League experience from his Bournemouth days. He is likely to be supported by Aral Simsir and Denil Castillo, who will aim to link defence with attack and provide control in the middle of the pitch.

Up front, Midtjylland’s main attacking threat comes from in-form striker Franculino Dju, who has already scored nine goals this season. He is set to partner Brazilian forward Junior Brumado, whose physical presence and work rate will be crucial in unsettling the Nottingham Forest defence.

Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Olafsson; Diao, Erlic, Sorensen; Mbabu, Castillo, Billing, Simsir, Paulinho; Franculino, Brumado

Key Stats

• This will be Nottingham Forest’s first-ever European meeting with both FC Midtjylland and with any Danish opposition in general.
• FC Midtjylland have played English opposition only four times in major European competition, winning just once (W1 D1 L2). That victory came against Manchester United in February 2016, when they secured a famous 2-1 win in the Europa League.
• Nottingham Forest will play their first home game in major European competition since March 1996, when they suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup.
• FC Midtjylland come into this match on their longest-ever European winning streak, having won each of their last six European fixtures (including qualifiers).
• After scoring a brace against Real Betis on matchday one, Igor Jesus could become just the second Nottingham Forest player in history to score in both of his first two European appearances. The only player to previously achieve this was Joe Baker back in October 1967 during the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.

Player to Watch

Morgan Gibbs-White

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Morgan Gibbs-White remains Nottingham Forest’s most influential creative force, and Thursday’s clash against Midtjylland offers him the perfect platform to make a decisive impact in Europe. The 24-year-old attacking midfielder has developed into the heartbeat of Forest’s attacking play, operating between the lines where his vision and technical ability consistently unlock defenses.

Gibbs-White has already shown glimpses of his quality under Ange Postecoglou, combining intelligent movement with the ability to pick out precise passes in the final third. His knack for linking midfield with attack ensures Forest maintain fluidity, while his pressing off the ball fits neatly into Postecoglou’s high-energy approach. The Englishman’s set-piece delivery also gives Forest an added dimension, especially against opponents who may look to defend deep and limit open-play chances.

With Igor Jesus beginning to find form up front, Gibbs-White’s creativity will be vital in ensuring the Brazilian receives service. His experience and composure could be key in guiding Forest through what is shaping up to be a high-pressure European night at the City Ground.

If Nottingham Forest are to secure their first victory in Europe under Postecoglou and make a strong statement in their Europa League campaign, Gibbs-White will almost certainly need to be at the heart of it.

Prediction

Nottingham Forest 1-1 FC Midtjylland

Nottingham Forest will step into their first European home match in nearly three decades desperate to break their winless run under Ange Postecoglou. While the City Ground crowd will create a charged atmosphere, Forest’s defensive fragility and lack of cutting edge in recent games remain real concerns. Much will depend on whether Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus can combine effectively in the final third to break down a disciplined Midtjylland side.

For their part, the Danish visitors arrive with momentum, riding a six-match winning streak in Europe and showing resilience both domestically and on the continental stage. With Franculino Dju in red-hot form and Philip Billing pulling the strings in midfield, Midtjylland have the tools to frustrate Forest and threaten on the counter.

This match has the makings of a tight, hard-fought contest. Forest’s home return to Europe should spark an improved performance, but Midtjylland’s sharpness and confidence could see them snatch a result. The Hard Tackle predicts a 1-1 draw for Thursday’s Europea League clash.