Nottingham Forest play host to Fenerbahce
Boasting a three-goal first-leg advantage, Nottingham Forest play host to Fenerbahce at the City Ground for the second leg of their Europa League knockout round playoff today.
The winners of this tie on aggregate will face either Real Betis from Spain or Danish outfit FC Midtjylland in the last 16.
Vitor Pereira made the perfect start to life as Nottingham Forest head coach, as he steered is new club to a statement 3-0 away victory over his former club Fenerbahce in last week’s first leg in Istanbul, just four days after his appointment was confirmed following the sacking of Sean Dyche.
Pereira was hoping for a similarly stylish performance in Sunday’s Premier League home clash with Liverpool, and although they did control large periods of the match, especially the first half, it was the visitors who snatched all three points courtesy of a 97th-minute winner from Alexis Mac Allister.
Although losing 1-0 in that manner will certainly sting, leaving Forest 17th in the table and just two points above the relegation zone, Pereira has urged his players to “come back stronger and with confidence to face the future” as they bid to avoid the drop and progress further in Europe.
Forest can afford to lose by a two-goal margin on Thursday and still progress to the Europa League last 16, but they will be keen to put on a show at the City Ground.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Stuttgart host Celtic in second leg of Europa League
Stuttgart welcome Celtic on Thursday evening for the second leg of their Europa League knockout playoff round tie.
Die Roten recorded an emphatic 4-1 victory in the first leg in Scotland, leaving Celtic with plenty of work to do if they are to extend their European campaign.
Stuttgart faced an initial struggle in their opening Europa League fixtures, losing two of their first three league phase fixtures, alongside a narrow 2-1 victory against Celta Vigo on matchday one.
However, four wins and only one loss in their final five league phase games saw Sebastian Hoeness‘s side rapidly rise up the standings and into 11th place, barely missing out on a top-eight place by just one point.
Drawn against Celtic in the knockout playoff round, Stuttgart were in impressive form in the build-up to the match, with five wins and just one loss in their last six outings across all competitions.
While Stuttgart are in firm control of the tie and enjoying a positive run of form, Celtic come into the second leg having suffered disappointing back-to-back defeats.
Stuttgart are firmly in the driving seat coming into the second leg, especially as they return to their home ground, where they are undefeated since early December 2025.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Crystal Palace welcome Zrinjski Mostar to Selhurst Park
Crystal Palace welcome Zrinjski Mostar to Selhurst Park for the second leg of their Conference League knockout round playoff on Thursday night.
The winners of this tie on aggregate will face either German side Mainz 05 or Cypriot outfit AEK Larnaca in the last 16.
Competing in European competition for the first time in their history this season, Crystal Palace entered last week’s first-leg clash with Zrinjski as strong favourites, but they had to settle for a frustrating 1-1 draw in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Since the middle of December, the Eagles have only won two of their last 16 games across all competitions (D5 L9), but one of those wins was at Selhurst Park last weekend when they edged past 10-man basement club Wolves by a 1-0 scoreline in the Premier League.
Sitting 13th in the Premier League table and 10 points above the relegation zone, Palace should take the Conference League seriously now that fears of a top-flight drop have eased. The fact that they have lost only one of their four home matches in this season’s competition should also give them hope of beating Zrinjski on Thursday.
The Eagles can still be considered as strong favourites here, with Glasner expected to name a strong side that should perform well enough to outscore their opponents and prevail on aggregate, without the need of extra time or penalties.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Celta Vigo face PAOK in decisive playoff tie
One step away from the round of 16, Celta Vigo return home to Balaidos Stadium on Thursday evening to face PAOK in the decisive second leg of their Europa League playoff tie.
The Spanish side hold a narrow lead from the first leg, leaving PAOK with a deficit to overturn if they are to progress.
Celta Vigo have a valuable opportunity to finish the job at home, having already taken control of the tie with a hard-fought 2-1 victory in the first leg.
The Sky Blues enter this contest in encouraging form, recording two wins, two draws and just one defeat from their last five matches across all competitions.
Their most recent domestic outing saw them claim a comfortable 2-0 victory over Mallorca, continuing their strong run of form.
The first-leg victory in Greece not only gives Celta a numerical advantage but also a psychological edge, as they demonstrated their ability to manage difficult moments away from home.
Giraldez has brought structure to his side, with Celta currently sitting sixth in La Liga, underlining their progress this season.
Their Europa League form remains slightly inconsistent, with two wins, one draw and two defeats from their last five matches in the competition, leaving room for caution.
With a first-leg advantage, strong home form and greater consistency, Celta Vigo are well placed to see out this tie.
PAOK’s struggles on the road and lack of cutting edge in recent matches could prove costly, and the hosts should have enough quality to secure a victory and progress to the next round.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Ferencváros 17:45 Ludogorets Razgrad
Viktoria Plzeň 17:45 Panathinaikos
Nottingham Forest 20:00 Fenerbahçe
Fiorentina 17:45 Jagiellonia Białystok
Lausanne-Sport 20:00 Sigma Olomouc
