Utrecht vs Nottingham prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-12-10 17:45.
[p]UEFA Europa League (UEL) strugglers Utrecht are looking to snap a long European winless run when they host a Nottingham Forest side bidding to take another step towards qualification for the knockout stages.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Utrecht have desperately struggled in their first full European campaign since 2010/11, with their paltry one-point haul from the opening five matchdays leaving them languishing out of qualification contention. Their elimination could be confirmed if Ron Jans’ men fail to end the longest-ever winless run in major European competition by a Dutch side, which spans 16 matches dating back to September 2004 (D6, L10). A wider slump of just three victories in their last 16 competitive outings (D5, L8) highlights how unlikely that may be here, but Utrecht have at least returned to form at home, avoiding defeat in their last six games here (W3, D3), including drawing 1-1 with Porto on matchday four.[/p]
[p]Nottingham Forest have enjoyed a European resurgence under Sean Dyche, as they stand alone as the only side yet to concede in the UEL since he was appointed ahead of matchday three (W2, D1). The Tricky Trees now boast the best clean sheet percentage of any side to play 50+ European games (25/51 – 49%), but have struggled since thumping Malmö 3-0 in their last UEL fixture. Two multi-goal defeats without reply in their three games since (W1) mean that this fixture could provide a welcome distraction from domestic troubles, as Forest chase just a third away victory of the season across all competitions (D4, L5).[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]These teams have never met previously, while Forest last faced Dutch opposition in 1983/84. Utrecht’s only prior H2Hs with an English team were a pair of goalless draws against Liverpool in 2010/11.[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Five of Utrecht’s last six home matches saw both teams score.[/p]
[p]Both of Utrecht’s two UEL goals this term came between half-time and the 55th minute.[/p]
[p]All five of Forest’s UEL goals under Dyche have come from set-pieces.[/p]
[p]None of Forest’s last six away games saw both teams score.[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Victor Jensen scored for the first time since returning from a long-term injury at the weekend, with that his seventh successive Utrecht goal to arrive beyond the 50th minute. Five of Igor Jesus’ six Forest goals have come on the road, including two inside 25 minutes against Betis on matchday one.[/p]
[p]David Min and Davy van den Berg are doubtful for Utrecht, while Forest’s lengthy injury list which includes key defender Murillo was added to by a hamstring problem for Ryan Yates at the weekend.[/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]Forest can take a big step towards progression here, so we expect them to win with under 2.5 goals against a Utrecht side that are short on confidence.[/p]
[p][i]Author: Ryan Fisher[/i][/p]