Braga – Nottingham Forest: a match that could change everything 
On Thursday night Braga and Nottingham Forest meet at the Municipal with plenty on the line. Both still have a shot at automatic qualification to the last 16, and this penultimate group game could tip the balance. The clubs have never met in competitive play, although Forest beat them 3-0 in a friendly back in 2016.
Nottingham Forest: breathing again, but hanging by a thread 
Forest are sluggish in the Premier League: one win in their last seven and sitting 17th, in the relegation zone. The 0-0 at Arsenal, though, looked more disciplined and compact, and Sean Dyche will have taken some positives. In Europe it’s a different story: 11 points from six games, convincing wins over Malmö (3-0) and Utrecht (2-1), and 11th in the overall standings. Forest sit just two points off the top eight and know they can’t afford mistakes. On their first European campaign in thirty years, they’re hanging on — and they’ve already shown they can trouble Portuguese teams (Porto lost to them in October, 2-0).
Braga: a season of ups and downs 
2026 didn’t start well for Braga: a lost League Cup final followed by an embarrassing Cup exit to third-tier Fafe. Sunday offered a lift — Zalazar’s 92nd-minute penalty won them a priceless away three points after a chaotic finish. Braga are up to fifth, a point off the top four. A title push looks unlikely, but Europe suits them: four wins in six, seventh overall and provisionally inside the top eight. Their record vs English sides is patchy — six wins in 20 — though they have beaten Wolves at Molineux in recent years.
Likely lineups
Braga :
Hornicek ; Lagerbielke, Carvalho, Niakaté ; Dorgeles, Grillitsch, Moutinho, Lelo ; Martinez, Victor, Horta
Nottingham Forest :
Sels ; Savona, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams ; Anderson, Luiz ; Ndoye, Gibbs‑White, Hudson‑Odoi ; Jesus
Key points
- Forest have won just one of their last seven matches in all competitions.
- Braga remain inside the European top eight thanks to four wins in six games.
- Forest are only two points away from the automatic qualification spots.
- The English have already beaten Porto this season.
- Braga have won only six of 20 matches against English clubs.
Football Prediction Braga – Nottingham Forest
Both teams to score
Forest need points, Braga want to lock down a top-eight spot: everything points to a tight, balanced game with moments for both sides.
The hosts look better placed to handle pressure at home, but Forest have the quality to hurt them.
A draw with goals looks the likeliest outcome.
First, a word on our predictions
- What we publish on Mathodds is analysis, nothing more. It’s our view of the moment, not a guarantee. Football is unpredictable: a red card, an injury, a freak goal — the script can flip instantly.
- Let’s be blunt: there’s no such thing as a risk-free bet. Even when something looks ‘obvious’, it can fail. Yes, you can lose. You will sometimes.
- Be sensible. Stake small, set a budget and stick to it. Don’t touch money you need to live on. And don’t chase losses — that rarely ends well.
- Betting should stay a hobby, not a job or a revenue stream. If it’s taking over your life, take a break and get help from a specialist if needed.
- Ultimately, you are responsible. Using our content means you accept that risk exists and it won’t vanish, even with the best analysis.
- Important reminder: betting is forbidden to minors and must follow the law where you live. Gambling can spiral (financial loss, family strain, addiction). Need help? Players Info Service: 09 74 75 13 13 (non-premium rate) https://www.gambleaware.org/.
No commitment from us
Our tips are not a contract. They carry no legal weight. You can’t rely on them to make a legal claim if a bet loses.
Information can change
A tip is based on what we know when we write it. Lineups shift, players pick up injuries, the weather turns — and analysis can become outdated fast. We can’t be held responsible for that.
Your role
Before placing a bet, check that gambling is legal where you live. If it isn’t, that’s your responsibility, not ours.
Responsible play first
We’ll say it again: play responsibly. If you struggle to control your gambling, seek help. We can’t be held responsible for compulsive or excessive use of the info on this site.
Legal age
Mathodds content is for adults only. By browsing here you confirm you meet the legal age to gamble.
About the visuals
The images and logos on Mathodds, including those of Braga and Nottingham Forest linked to UEFA, are for illustration only. They don’t imply any official partnership with a federation or sports organization, and we claim no rights over them.
Those rights belong to the original creators. If any visual causes an issue despite our care, contact us and it will be removed without delay.
Our only aim with these images is to make the reading more pleasant. Nothing else. No commercial gain, no claim on someone else’s work.
Leave a Reply