Nottingham Forest faces Real Betis

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Match details

In anticipation of an exciting European night, Nottingham Forest is set to compete against Real Betis in their initial UEFA Europa League fixture of the 2025/26 season. Slated for September 25, this matchup will occur at Seville’s Estadio de La Cartuja, with kickoff scheduled for 9 p.m. local time (3 p.m. ET).

Forest’s journey back to Europe

Nottingham Forest’s return to European competition is a major milestone, especially after a prolonged absence spanning three decades. They secured their place by finishing seventh in the Premier League last season. Initially, they aimed for the UEFA Conference League, but following Crystal Palace’s demotion over ownership issues, Forest was promoted to the more prestigious Europa League.

Coaching shifts and team form

Forest welcomes a new approach with head coach Ange Postecoglou at the helm. Known for his successful stint at Tottenham, he aims to achieve notable results with Forest. However, the start of their Premier League campaign has been rocky, with just a single victory out of five games, placing them in the 15th spot on the table.

Injury concerns

As they prepare for their European outing, injury troubles cloud Nottingham Forest. Key players Nicolás Domínguez and Ola Aina are sidelined due to a knee and hamstring injury, respectively. Murillo remains doubtful after a recent knock. Nevertheless, the inclusion of Oleksandr Zinchenko in the Europa League squad offers a boost following Aina’s absence.

Real Betis’ perspective

Currently holding sixth in La Liga, Real Betis enters the competition missing vital team members. Isco is absent with a broken fibula, while Marc Bartra grapples with muscle issues. Despite these hurdles, coach Manuel Pellegrini maintains an optimistic outlook, aiming to begin the Europa League campaign positively with a victory over Forest.