2025-26 UEFA Europa League: League Phase – Utrecht vs Forest

Utrecht face a must-win meeting against Nottingham Forest in the league phase of 2025-26 UEFA Europa League. 

Victory could lift Utrecht as high as 28th but defeat coupled with results elsewhere could eliminate them with two games to spare, whilst Forest can climb as high as the top eight with a win depending on results elsewhere.

 

Team News

Barkas Vasileios is set to return for Utrecht after he was suspended for their 2-1 defeat at Real Betis a fortnight ago.

Davy van den Berg (unspecified) is ruled out but Emirhan Demircan, Kolbeinn Finnsson, Victor Jensen and Noah Ohio are ineligible.

Forest could welcome Murillo back after he missed their last three matches due to a hamstring injury then illness, but Sean Dyche has no fresh injury concerns after their 3-0 Premier League defeat at Everton.

Angus Gunn, Chris Wood (both knee), Ola Aina, Douglas Luiz (both hamstring), Taiwo Awoniyi (muscle), Dilane Bakwa (unspecified) and Oleksandr Zinchenko (groin) are still ruled out.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Utrecht host Forest at Stadion Galgenwaard, Utrecht, on Thursday 11 December at 6:45pm CET (5:45pm GMT), live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Utrecht’s first-ever competitive meeting against Forest
• Forest are making their first competitive trip to Utrecht.
• Miguel Rodriguez has scored in each of Utrecht’s last two league phase matches (D1, L1).
• Forest have kept clean sheets in their last three league phase matches (W2, D1).

 

Prediction

With just one point from their five group matches so far, Utrecht know that this is a realistic must-win otherwise they will have everything to do in their last two games if want to reach the knockout stages, starting with a better defensive display and a clinical end product.

Forest however will feel that this is very winnable for them especially after a lacklustre display at Everton where they lacked their end product amidst defensive errors, so I do expect them to deliver a serious reaction here as victory would give them a chance at a top-eight finish.

Sean Dyche’s Tricky Trees though have drawn their two away trips so far in the phase but given their attacking quality against Utrecht’s weak defence, I can see them getting a win here if can rediscover their recent attacking spark.

Prediction: Utrecht 0-2 Forest

Result: Utrecht 1-2 Forest