Nottingham Forest vs Ferencvaros: Top 8 still up for grabs on final Europa League matchday
by Thobelani Moyo | by Thobelani Moyo
Nottingham Forest: Forest eyeing a bigger prize than finishing inside the top 24
It has been confirmed that 19 teams in the UEFA Europa League (league phase) have already secured their spots in the knockout rounds. Nottingham Forest is one of them whose progression to the knockout phase play-offs has rubber-stamped. The English club has accumulated 11 points from seven games and have maintaied a four-point cushion over Ludogorets, who sit outside the top 24.
Much remains at stake, with more targets to reach for the Tricky Trees. A top-eight finish in the league phase standings is still up for grabs. The point gap between them and eighth-placed Real Betis is not that much, with three points being the difference. However, it won't be easy to achieve such a feat, as 10 other teams have their sights set on the same target. This means they'll have to depend heavily on favorable results elsewhere.
As far as their UEFA Europa League performance is concerned, Sean Dyche's men have won three, lost two, and drawn two. Their recent game against Braga ended in a 1-0 away defeat. That result left a bitter taste in their mouths, considering it ended a four-match unbeaten run in this competition, including a two-game winning streak against Malmo FF and FC Utrecht.
Nottingham Forest will be hoping to end their league phase campaign on a high note. They are up against Ferencvaros, which also marks their first-ever meeting against Hungarian opposition. However, this is a side that's likely to lean on their home advantage for a positive outcome. At the City Ground, particularly in this competition, they've won two of their last three matches (L1), including a beating of Portugal giants FC Porto on 23 October 2025.
Ferencvaros: Automatic progression to the last 16 not confirmed yet!
Ferencvaros have also secured qualification to the knockout rounds of this competition. The Budapest-based side secured qualification with just two games to spare after they triumphed over Rangers on MD6. Progression to the last 16 has yet to be guaranteed, though, as many as seven teams are within shooting distance of ousting them from the top eight in the league phase standings.
Robbie Keane’s team have collected 15 points from seven games and occupies seventh place in the league phase standings, with three points separating them from the top spot. Interestingly, they are one of three teams in this competition that have yet to suffer defeat, highlighting their impressive run thus far.
That unbeaten record is under threat as they enter the final matchday of the UEFA Europa League (league phase). This is the second time they have met English opposition in this competition, with their last meeting against Tottenham Hotspur in the 2024-25 edition ending in a 2-1 home defeat. Regarding overall meetings against teams from this bracket, they have a 30% win ratio, recording six wins, six draws, and eight losses. Will they be able to better their record with a win against their opponents in this upcoming encounter? Let's find out what our experts have to say in our Nottingham Forest vs Ferencvaros prediction for more insights.
Players to watch: Igor Jesus and Dele
Nottingham Forest's Igor Jesus has not been making the rounds in the Premier League when it comes to his performance. In his last 22 appearances for his club this season, he has scored two goals and provided one assist. The 24-year-old scored his second goal for the club and first since the turn of the year against Brentford, which was crucial in the team's fight for survival this season.
The Brazilian international has been a different breed with regard to his performance in the UEFA Europa League. He is the second top scorer (joint) with four goals to his name. He is expected to lead the attack in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Barnabas Varga was the leading top scorer for Ferencvaros in the UEFA Europa League and the Nemzeti Bajnoksag I. With his departure to AEK Athens, the Budapest side has been left with a huge hole that they need to fill in the attacking department. Kristoffer Zachariassen isn't the right fit for this role as the 32-year-old has yet to contribute anything meaningful to the team this season.
All eyes will be on the rising star Bamidele Isa Yusuf. The Nigerian international has three goal contributions in the UEFA Europa League, scoring twice and providing one assist. His last goal against Greece club Panathinaikos on MD7 was enough to see the team salvage a point in a 1-1 away draw, maintaining their unbeaten run in this competition. He could prove to be the difference maker in this upcoming encounter, where he is set to lead the attack alongside Zachariassen in a 3-5-2 formation.
