Nottingham Forest

Jess Anderson
BBC Sport journalist

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While the Europa League will continue to offer respite from an otherwise difficult season for Nottingham Forest, the additional games present challenges.

Forest will take on Porto in the quarter-final on 9 and 16 April, welcome Aston Villa to the City Ground in between the two legs and then host Burnley the following weekend.

Winning games means positive momentum and that can only be a help when it comes to fighting to stay in the league.

But it also means more games and Vitor Pereira, who is set to take charge in his first European quarter-final, must find the balance between keeping his side in the top flight and managing the demands of competing in Europe.

"When we win it's different," Pereira said after their penalty shootout win over Midtjylland.

"The spirit is different, the energy is different and the boys deserve it because they are a fantastic group, very good players and with team spirit, character - we showed everything today.

"I don't have any doubt that we have the quality and we will compete to achieve our targets."

Yates added: "That winning feeling is special, you want to keep that momentum going.

"Momentum at this stage of the season is huge. We're not going to get ahead of ourselves. Recover now, focus on Tottenham now and keep building, keep getting those wins.

"It's not over yet, we're still dreaming."

Chris McKenna
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

This was just Nottingham Forest's second win under Vitor Pereira – the other being against Fenerbahce in the last round of this competition. They won both the game on the night and the tie after the penalty shootout after previously going six games without a victory under the manager who replaced Sean Dyche in February.

It was clear with Pereira's team selection – as he made nine changes – that Sunday's clash with Tottenham and Premier League safety is the priority for the two-time European Cup winners.

Pereira opted to bring on three of those who will surely start on Sunday in Morgan Gibbs-White, Neco Williams and Murillo just after the hour mark.

He will have hoped that would have been to see the game out as, at that time, Forest were going through following the goals from Nicolas Dominguez and Ryan Yates.

But Martin Erlic's strike brought Midtjylland level, which meant those three would play a lot more minutes than maybe Pereira would have liked, given the significance of Sunday's clash with Spurs, who they are just a point behind in the battle to stay up with goal difference currently keeping them out of the bottom three.

It also meant that Elliot Anderson had to be introduced in the 75th minute and the England midfielder was not shy in putting himself about in what was a physical game with German referee Felix Zwayer allowing plenty of challenges to go unpunished.

Anderson's determination was a sign that Forest were still desperate to progress here as he continually threw himself into tackles and tried to force Forest forward.

It would need penalties to progress, but the last time Forest came into a second leg trailing and eventually got through to the next round was during the 1979-80 European Cup against Berliner FC Dynamo.

They went all the way that year to win the competition and, after tonight, they can still go on and lift the Europa League trophy this season.

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira, speaking to TNT Sports: "Very happy, we proved today that we came to compete. We have good, talented players. The first half was fantastic. On this difficult pitch we were a high level. Second half we kept going, scored goals that were cancelled. But in the end, we're happy. We have to balance the players now for the weekend."

On fringe players delivering: "Fantastic - I started to do subs not because we were playing badly but to balance the energy and be ready for Sunday.

"It's important [to win] - the energy and spirit is different when we win. I have very good players, and we showed everything today - team spirit and character.

"I don't have any doubt that we have the quality. We will compete for our targets. I want to thank the supporters too, because today they deserved to keep going in this competition."

Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, speaking to TNT Sports: "Everyone is happy, buzzing. Everyone is tired as well - it was a long fight today. We played so good, energy from minute one. A lot of changes but the energy was unbelievable and from the supporters who came a long way to see us. The situation in the league where we are too, this is such a good feeling.

"To be honest, I thought this is better to get it done before the finish, then we scored that goal, which was offside. They could break too at the end with everyone tired. We were lucky today - a shootout is 50-50, but we'll take it."

On how much momentum this gives going forward: "Hopefully a lot, everyone is tired, but this should give us a big boost for the coming weeks. Big chance to get the three points [at Tottenham on Sunday], get above them and keep going."

Listen to Ryan Yates' post-match reaction on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Nottingham Forest have now reached at least the quarter-finals in five of their seven campaigns in major Uefa competition, failing only in 1980-81 (European Cup) and 1984-85 (Uefa Cup).

• Nottingham Forest are the first ever English team to progress from or win a Uefa Cup or Europa League knockout stage tie having lost the first leg at home.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

What did you make of Nottingham Forest's display?

Come back on Friday for a selection of your replies

Midtjylland XI: Olafsson, Erlic, Bech, Diao, Bak, Byskov, Castillo, Bravo, Billing, Osorio, Brumado.

Subs: Paraskevas, Demetriou, Gonzalez, Rubio, Roberge, Loukaides, Cabrera, Kyriakou, Gurfinkel, Mudrazija.

Nottingham Forest have made nine changes from the weekend's 0-0 draw with Fulham in the Premier League.

Nikola Milenkovic and Nicolas Dominguez are the only players to keep their places from the game on Sunday.

Manager Vitor Pereira has obviously got Sunday's big league clash with Tottenham Hotspur in mind.

Nottingham Forest XI: Ortega, Abbott, Milenkovic, Morato, Hutchinson, Dominguez, Yates, Ndoye, McAtee, Bakwa, Lucca.

Subs: Sels, Willows, Williams, Murillo, Sangare, Anderson, Gibbs-White, Jesus, Aina, Whitehall, Sinclair, Hanks.

There are seven games in the Europa League on Thursday as the last 16 concludes, and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Freiburg v Genk (17:45)

• Midtjylland v Nottingham Forest (17:45)

• Lyon v Celta Vigo (17:45)

• Aston Villa v Lille - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Porto v Stuttgart

• Real Betis v Panathinaikos

• Roma v Bologna

Kick-off times 20:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Aston Villa v Lille".

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

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Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina says the team "have the quality" to progress in the Europa League and stay in the Premier League but they need things "to click".

Forest play Midtjylland at the MCH Arena on Thursday (17:45 GMT) in the second leg of the last 16 where they trail 1-0 on aggregate.

Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham, Aina said: "We're still going to go out there with the same mentality to win a game and we need to play well so that's what we're going to do.

"I don't know what's going on at home, but hopefully we can get the goals that we need to progress in this tournament.

"We'll keep it tight at the back and hopefully bang in some goals.

"We have the quality in the team, it's just getting it to click and maybe having a bit of luck."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

We are getting to the stage of the season where every Premier League team is managing injuries in their squad as the sheer volume and intensity of games begins to take its toll.

But who has been most affected by injuries across the campaign so far?

Ben Dinnery, from Premier Injuries Limited, has provided the data below, showing the number of domestic injuries each top-flight team has suffered, defined by a player missing at least one Premier League game.

The data has been taken from the opening weekend up to and including 18 March.

Despite this table listing domestic injuries, it is unsurprising that the top three of Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa have all competed in European competition, with the Gunners still fighting on four fronts and the Blues also coming off the back of a much-shortened pre-season following their Club World Cup victory.

Perhaps more surprisingly, however, is the fact Arsenal's 31 domestic injuries so far comfortably leads the way, illustrating the strength and depth available to Mikel Arteta to still have his side nine points clear at the top of the table.

The graphic below shows Tottenham lead the way for days missed by injured players, illustrating the issues faced by Thomas Frank, who had to cope with long-term absentees including Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison.

Both West Ham and Brentford are in the bottom three for domestic injuries and days missed through those injuries, while Arsenal and Villa are in the top three for both.

Chelsea drop down the table when looking at days missed, showing they have predominately suffered from short absences spread throughout the squad.

It is worth pointing out that Newcastle's two longest absences this season - Emil Krafth (120 days) and Yoane Wissa (88 days), who had not yet even trained with his new side, resulted from injuries picked up on international duty and are not factored into the figures.

BBC Nottingham are out in Herning, Denmark, chatting to travelling supporters before Nottingham Forest's Europa League last-16 second leg tie against Midtjylland on Thursday.

Play the clip below to hear more from fans out in Denmark or listen here on BBC Sounds

Meanwhile, BBC Radio Nottingham's David Jackson and Colin Fray did a special live preview show from the stadium on Wednesday, including interviews from the Forest camp - listen here on BBC Sounds.

Listen to full commentary as Forest face Midtjylland (not available online) and In The Game every weeknight from 18:00, on BBC Radio Nottingham. The station's build-up to Thursday's game will be available on BBC Sounds here from 16:00.

And subscribe to the Shut Up And Show More Football podcast on BBC Sounds.

Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League game against Midtjylland at MCH Arena (kick-off 17:45 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Forest have no new injuries and Chris Wood completed the warm-up alongside his team-mates in Denmark. Pereira said: "I don't want to push him, but I think he will be able to help us in the last few games [of the season]. He is important for the group; he is important because he has quality. He scores goals, and he has the personality to help us."

• Pereira also confirmed that Stefan Ortega is in contention to start tomorrow's second leg after being added to the European squad.

• The Garibaldis boss touched on the "balance" and "rotation" of the team in order to keep his side mentally and physically fresh as they sit one place above the relegation zone in the Premier League. "We are in a moment that I must try to balance the team. Try to compete in both competitions. I cannot forget the next game in the Premier League [against Tottenham] because it is an important game for us," said Pereira.

• On facing Midtjylland with a depleted squad: "We need to see the team united. Everyone in condition to help. We don't have a big squad – it means that it is important tomorrow that we feel like we are together in this game to try to get a result to qualify."

• Due to Forest's schedule, Pereira says it is "difficult to prepare the team" but understands that "pressure is part of our job" as Forest aim to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Europa League and steer clear of the relegation zone.

• On their opponents: "Midtjylland is a strong team and very physical. We create a lot of chances to win the game [in the first leg], and we believe that we have the quality to play here and win the game."

Hit play below to hear a six-minute Pereira interview with BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray or listen on BBC Sounds here

Got a question about Forest? Get in touch here and we'll put it to our experts

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views about whether Nottingham Forest may be better off without European football as they fight for survival in the Premier League.

Here are some of your comments:

Andrew: Typing this on a bus from Billund airport. It's a crying shame that we'll most likely see a total second-string tomorrow night and thus most likely elimination from a European competition we were all so desperate for this time last year. Poor recruitment and even more so poor releasing of players has hindered us completely this season. Think of the players last season who we let go. Just called up for Brazil Danilo, Toffolo, Jota Silva. All better players than what we recruited. Clubs chase this European dream, then throw it away the following season because of domestic woes.

Dave: If you offered me Forest losing in Europe but beating Spurs, I'd snatch your hand off. Anyone else remember Wigan winning the FA Cup but getting relegated from the PL? Didn't do them much good.

Gary: With regret, I have to say that we would be better off if we are knocked out of the Europa League. I hate saying this because it was the most exciting thing about this season in August. But we have had opportunities to pull away from the relegation zone but not taken them due to poor finishing and poor decision making in the final third. If we don't put everything we have into the last 8 games of the PL we are in serious danger of going down. I also don't think we would win the Europa League, even if we get past Midtjylland because we aren't playing well enough.

Mark: We absolutely haven't been able to handle European football and the Premier League. We have failed in nearly all of our Sunday fixtures after a Europa League match. The recruitment last summer was simply not good enough. Too many untried players from lesser leagues and that has cost us dearly. We are not any stronger in depth than last season. Going out now is likely but in my opinion it's too late now.

Mick: Send the kids. Sunday is far more important!

Diana: We have not had the depth of squad all season to cope with the demands of both. Add to that the disastrous additions made by Edu. The Premier League is far more important, so the sooner we are out of Europe the better.

David Jackson
BBC Radio Nottingham reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest supporters heading to Denmark today are asking themselves a difficult question.

After waiting 30 years to see their team return to European competition, they're now asking if they'd be better off without it.

Vitor Pereira has already told BBC Radio Nottingham that he will have to make changes to his team for the second leg at Midtjylland to allow key members of his squad to rest before the potentially pivotal Premier League match at Spurs on Sunday.

So, despite the excitement of last season and the joy of actually qualifying for Europe, would exiting the Europa League earlier than hoped actually be the best thing for them?

The premise of the question of course relies on the idea that they wouldn't be able to stay up AND go all the way in the Europa League. Well, the evidence of this season backs that up.

So, which is your preference? Throw everything at the Europa League and maybe win a trophy? Or prioritise the league and hopefully ensure next year in the top flight?

We'll be discussing that question, and others, on BBC Radio Nottingham on Wednesday in a special programme from the MCH Arena in Herning.

So, Forest fans, what do you think? Is exiting the Europa League the best option? Would exiting now help your chances of survival?

Get in touch with your views here

Listen to full commentary on BBC Radio Nottingham as Forest face Midtjylland (not available online), and In The Game every weeknight from 18:00, on BBC Radio Nottingham.

And subscribe to the Shut Up And Show More Football podcast on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

With Opta's supercomputer predictions suggesting it could be four teams fighting to avoid one relegation spot as we head into the final eight games of the season, we asked you who you think will be the one to go down (with Burnley and Wolves).

At the time of writing, Nottingham Forest - who Opta say have a 32% chance of finishing 18th - are the ones fans think are mostly likely to be in the Championship next season.

Here is a breakdown of the results so far:

• Leeds United - 8%

• Tottenham - 30%

• Nottingham Forest - 45%

• West Ham - 17%

Add your selection here

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

There's often a defining match, week or month in a season. A match - or series of games - that sets a course for success or failure. A time when it becomes clear what path a club will follow.

At the moment, however, it seems that any match, week or month could be pivotal for Nottingham Forest. Is this month, or week, the one that defines our season? You could argue that Sunday's point against Fulham dragged us out of the relegation places - albeit on goal difference - and Thursday's Europa League second leg against Midtjylland and Sunday's clash with Tottenham Hotspur will chart our course.

But we may well find ourselves at this juncture again very soon. Will there be a Europa League quarter-final to come? Will there be another chance for Premier League redemption? Not every game will be a 'must win' but there are times when it feels that way.

As grim as this relegation battle is, there are still three - maybe four - clubs fighting to stay up. And it's going to drag. Make no mistake, we could be facing another six or seven weeks of season-defining moments. Making predictions, deciding our fate and writing us off is still all in the future - because it's impossible to call.

There is evidently fear among the players. You can sense the trepidation. In every misplaced pass, every hesitant moment, every 50-50 decision. We all know the quality of this squad, but lack of confidence is precisely why we're where we are. Last season we had confidence in abundance - we knew we could win games.

The fine margins of recent weeks may well continue - the shots hitting the crossbar, the offside decisions, the whims of the referee. Maybe those moments will define our season? Or maybe we'll break the spell and start finishing our endless chances? If the goals come, the confidence might return.

It's never over until it's over. By Sunday we might feel a corner has been turned. Perhaps that corner is yet to come. Maybe it never comes. But it might be that the defining moment is only obvious long after the event.

Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club, external

Manchester United are set to face competition for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, 23, with Bayern Munich ready to step up their interest in the England international. (Mail + - subscription required), external

Juventus are listening to offers for Jonathan David, 26, with West Ham, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest all expressing an interest in the Canada striker in the past. (Tuttosport - in Italian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

It is the business end of the season and the race to stay in the Premier League is getting more tense.

With Opta giving Burnley and Wolves just a 0.35% and 0.07% chance of survival respectively and Crystal Palace a 0.08% chance of going down, it looks like it is a fight between four teams to avoid the remaining relegation spot.

Just three points separate West Ham in 18th and Leeds in 15th, with only goal difference currently keeping the Hammers in the drop zone.

Opta's supercomputer has been running the scenarios and providing the percentage chance of Leeds, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest and West Ham finishing in 18th place.

At 6.36%, Leeds are currently predicted to have the best chance of staying in the top flight in their first season back, while bottom-of-the-form-table Tottenham - who are just one point ahead Forest and West Ham - have been given a 13.03% likelihood of being in that third relegation spot come the end of the campaign.

Things look a bit more worrying for Vitor Pereira's Forest and Nuno Espirito Santo's West Ham with a 32.85% and 45% chance respectively.

As Spurs and Forest face each other in a crucial match this Sunday, the picture could yet look a whole lot different heading into the international break next week.

Do you agree with the supercomputer? Who do you think of those four teams is most likely to go down?

Make your choice here

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Nottingham Forest and Fulham.

Here are some of your comments:

Nottingham Forest fans

Steve: Another weekend where we failed to capitalise on other results. It's going to be a scrap to the final day. VAR is killing football- the joy of that goal wiped out. Onto Denmark for what I hope isn't our last EL game but we all know Spurs is the bigger game.

Luke: At this point in the season we are what we are. A team who plays well but struggles to score, and therefore won't win often. That's what we were today. You can still look at this performance and use it to suggest we'll pick up 8-10 points over the last 8 games. But our chances to do so are diminishing. Next week is huge.

Marc: Another dismal and disappointing result. Completely devoid of creativity and intensity. No real desire to make something happen to in the final few minutes. Must play the back up players in Europa League as for some reason our players have a lack of energy to play at tempo that is going to challenge opponents for 90 minutes despite having no domestic cup run. Another uninspired managerial appointment.

David: We have to find our goal scorers and asap. We are playing with fire, and we all know what's going to happen. Oh, and VAR has to go!

Fulham fans

Gerry: Typical mid season mediocrity from Fulham. Another season that promised much but that again has petered out into dull, predictable football.

Malcolm: Much better performance all round, more effort and a solid line up.

Tim: Classic Fulham going into our shells around March, Marco ruined all momentum with silly changes against West Ham and Southampton, and now we're suffering with another lacklustre performance.

Phil: Poor. Not sharp enough. Have the players booked their summer holidays already?

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Micah Richards join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 0-0 Leeds

• Manchester United 3-1 Aston Villa

• Nottingham Forest 0-0 Fulham

• Liverpool 1-1 Tottenham