Nottingham Forest vs Midtjylland predictions and betting tips – Pereira’s side target first-leg win

Nottingham Forest are embroiled in the Premier League relegation battle while also aiming for a European trophy. Survival may take precedence, but Forest will still want to win this Europa League last-16 tie.

Midtjylland will visit the City Ground for the first leg on Thursday. Will Forest establish an aggregate advantage in front of their own supporters?

• Draw or a Midtjylland win – 5/4 with 247Bet
• Both teams to score – 5/6 with Betway
• Junior Brumado to score any time – 18/5 with BetMGM

Nottingham Forest vs Midtjylland odds

Find the latest Nottingham Forest vs Midtjylland betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Nottingham Forest vs Midtjylland predictions

In an ideal world, Nottingham Forest would be free to dedicate their full attention to the Europa League for the remainder of the season. As it is, the East Midlands outfit do not have that luxury. 

Forest are through to the round of 16 of Europe’s secondary tournament, which means they are only three aggregate wins away from the final.

But their main focus right now is securing Premier League survival – and there is plenty of work to do before Forest can claim success in their pursuit of that goal.

Despite a creditable 2-2 draw with Manchester City last time out, Forest are outside the relegation zone on goal difference alone. 

Vitor Pereira, their fourth manager in what has been a chaotic campaign, has been tasked with keeping Forest in the top flight above all else.

That does not mean Forest are about to throw in the towel in the Europa League, though. Pereira’s first game in charge brought a 3-0 triumph over Fenerbahce away from home, before a 2-1 defeat at the City Ground sent Forest through to the round of 16.

A club in Forest’s position should be trying to win games as often as possible, no matter the competition. Positive results help to build confidence and a bright performance in a victory over Midtjylland would be much better preparation for Sunday’s clash with Fulham than a limp loss.

Forest’s last experience of European football came back in 1995/96, when they reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup – an achievement the current side is looking to replicate. A run to the latter stages of the competition would make this a memorable season regardless of Forest’s domestic fate.

Still, some members of the club’s fan base would not be too disappointed if Forest were eliminated in the last 16, such is the importance of avoiding relegation to the Championship.

Pereira even hinted that the Europa League might be an unwelcome distraction after his team’s defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion at the start of March.

“They (Brighton) prepared in seven days, not in three days as we did,” the manager said after that defeat on the south coast.

“Competing in the Europa League and competing again after three days, we needed to understand the proper times to press and the proper times to wait, the proper time to go fast or the proper time to keep the ball.”

Nottingham Forest vs Midtjylland betting tips

Nottingham Forest and Midtjylland will butt heads in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday.

Tough test for Forest

Nottingham Forest are the favourites to win this match, in part due to home advantage and in part because bookies often favour English teams.

That makes any outcome other than a Forest victory – also known as the double chance market – look like excellent value. 

Midtjylland have already triumphed at the City Ground this term, running out 3-2 winners against Forest in the league phase.

The Danish side finished third in the 36-team table, behind only Lyon and Aston Villa, and they should be relatively fresh after a substantial winter break.

Go for a draw or a Midtjylland win at 5/4 with 247Bet

No clean sheets here

The meeting between these two teams earlier in the season was hugely entertaining, as Nottingham Forest and Midtjylland shared five goals on matchday two of the league phase.

Attacks got the better of defences on that occasion and that will probably be the case again on Thursday.

Midtjylland are a front-footed team who were the Europa League’s joint-top scorers in the league phase.

Forest have had their fair share of defensive difficulties this campaign, but they will back themselves to score in front of their own fans.

Select both teams to score at 5/6 with Betway

Brumado one to watch

Franculino Dju is Midtjylland’s leading goal-getter in 2025/26 having found the net 21 times in all competitions.

However, the Guinea-Bissau international has been sidelined since December. Although he is closing in on a return to action, Thursday’s match will probably come too soon.

Midtjylland will therefore look to Junior Brumado and Aral Simsir for inspiration in the final third, with the former our pick to get on the scoresheet. 

The Brazilian has struck five times in his last six appearances and he will pose a threat to the Nottingham Forest backline on Thursday.

Choose Junior Brumado to score any time at 18/5 with BetMGM

Nottingham Forest vs Midtjylland predicted lineups

• Nottingham Forest expected lineup: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Sangare, Anderson; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus.
• Midtjylland expected lineup: Olafsson; Diao, Lee, Bech; Osorio, Castillo, Billing, Bak; Brumado, Simsir.

Where to watch Nottingham Forest vs Midtjylland

• Location: City Ground, Nottingham, England.
• Date and time: Thursday 12th March, 8pm.
• How to watch: TNT Sports 1.

More Europa League predictions

We have plenty more Europa League predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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