Vitor Pereira is preparing Nottingham Forest for a demanding week, needing results in both Europe and the Premier League. Forest face Porto in a Europa League quarter-final first leg at the Estadio Do Dragao, then host Aston Villa, while trying to stay clear of the relegation places.
The schedule places Forest’s Europa League ambitions alongside the urgent need for Premier League survival. Pereira has stressed that winning the next match must remain the main focus, while also keeping the squad fresh enough to compete again at the City Ground against Aston Villa a few days later.
Porto present a serious Europa League test, especially at home. Porto are one of three clubs with a perfect home record in this season’s competition, alongside Aston Villa
and Freiburg, winning all five matches. Porto have previously claimed six home victories in one European campaign only once, during the 2010-11 season, when Porto lifted the Europa League trophy.
Forest’s recent history in European competition contrasts with their domestic struggle. The club have reached a fifth major European quarter-final, and a first since the 1995-96 UEFA Cup campaign. In the Premier League, Forest remain three points above the relegation zone, even after their 3-0 win over Tottenham before the international break.
Data from the Opta supercomputer underlines this mixed picture for Forest. The model currently gives Forest an 8.9% probability of relegation from the Premier League. At the same time, Forest carry a 10% chance of winning the Europa League, which would also secure a route into the Champions League for next season.
Forest have recent experience of playing in Portugal, though it was not positive. Their only previous European away match in the country came at Braga in January this season, where Forest lost 1-0. That defeat underlines the scale of the task against Porto, who rarely drop points at the Estadio Do Dragao in European competition.
Travel preparations have followed a familiar European routine for Forest’s squad and staff, with attention on recovery and tactical work between matches. The club highlighted their arrival in Portugal through social media, as players began final training sessions and media duties ahead of the quarter-final first leg against Porto.
Touched down.pic.twitter.com/60qkf89kylNottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 8, 2026
Europa League squad options and Chris Wood for Nottingham Forest
Team selection remains a key issue for Pereira, who has tried to maintain a balance between the two competitions. Pereira has said the immediate target is always the next fixture, while also noting the importance of keeping Nottingham Forest in the Premier League and ensuring every player feels valued and ready to contribute during this period.
Chris Wood’s return offers another option in attack for the Europa League tie. Wood, who last appeared for Forest when Ange Postecoglou was in charge, has been out since October and underwent knee surgery in December. Wood has now resumed training and travelled to Portugal, though Pereira has indicated that Forest must manage Wood’s physical condition carefully.
Pereira has described Wood as an experienced forward who scores important goals and can help the team through the current run of challenges. With Porto strong at home and Premier League fixtures tightening, Forest’s ability to rotate while staying competitive in both Europa League and domestic matches is likely to shape the rest of their season.
