Super Eagles defender Ola Aina is expected to make his 275th professional club appearance when Nottingham Forest host FC Midtjylland in tonight’s Europa League last-16 first-leg clash.
Despite Taiwo Awoniyi being set to miss out, people back in the West African nation will still have their eyes fixed on the encounter.
Fans and punters alike will be watching closely too, many tracking the fixture because of their bet slips and their love for Nigerian footballers abroad.
Nottingham FC vs Midtjylland Match Preview
This Europa League campaign already feels like a journey worth remembering for Nottingham Forest.
It is their first taste of European competition in more than 30 years, and while the road has not always been smooth, the Tricky Trees have managed to keep their adventure alive.
Forest finished 13th in the league phase, winning four, drawing two and losing two of their eight matches, which granted them a playoff tie rather than automatic passage into the last 16.
They had to face a tough test against Turkish giants Fenerbahçe, but under new head coach Vitor Pereira, Forest put up their most impressive European performances in years.
An unexpected 3-0 win in Istanbul laid the foundation for a 4-2 aggregate triumph despite a narrow defeat in the return leg at the City Ground.
Aina missed the opening six matches of the campaign but has since re-established himself in the side, providing an assist in the four Europa League games he has played since returning.
However, the one-time UEFA Champions League winners head into Thursday’s clash in shaky domestic form.
A 2-1 loss at Brighton was followed by a 2-2 draw with Manchester City, leaving them hovering just above the Premier League relegation zone on goal difference.
While survival remains the club’s first concern, progressing deeper into Europe would mark their best continental run since the 1995/1996 UEFA Cup.
Standing in their way is a Midtjylland side that has quietly impressed throughout the competition.
The Danish giants finished third in the league phase after amassing 19 points, recording wins over Celtic, Genk, Dinamo Zagreb and Nottingham Forest themselves, with their only defeat coming away at Roma.
The visitors also arrive in good form domestically, unbeaten in five matches and fresh from reaching the Danish Cup final.
One detail Forest supporters will not forget: Midtjylland already won 3-2 at the City Ground earlier this season, and Thursday offers the perfect opportunity for revenge.
Nottingham FC vs Midtjylland Team News
Nottingham Forest will be without several players through injury, including Chris Wood, Nicolo Savona, John Victor and Willy Boly, all sidelined with knee problems. January signing Luca Netz is also unavailable after being left out of the club’s Europa League squad.
Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega will undergo a late fitness test after missing the draw with Manchester City, although Matz Sels is ready to continue in goal if needed.
Up front, Igor Jesus is expected to lead the line again. The Brazilian striker has been one of the best players in the competition, scoring seven goals in eight Europa League matches.
There is still no place for Taiwo Awoniyi in the European squad, although he remains part of Forest’s domestic squad.
His compatriot Ola Aina, however, is expected to start tonight. The Nigerian defender missed the closing stages of the league phase due to injury but returned in time to feature prominently in the playoff victory over Fenerbahçe.
Betting Perspective
This tie is known to produce goals, and a bet for both teams to score could again be on the cards when these two teams meet.
Seven of Nottingham Forest’s Europa League matches this season have produced three or more goals, while five of Midtjylland’s fixtures in the competition have followed the same pattern.
Their previous meeting in October produced five goals in a 3-2 Midtjylland victory, highlighting the attacking potential on both sides.
Forest will hope home advantage works in their favour this time, because the Premier League side boasts a pass accuracy of 85.8% and have been efficient in attack throughout the tournament.
Midtjylland, however, have shown no fear away from home and have scored in every away match in the competition this season.
Key Takeaways for Bettors
- Midtjylland have scored 18 goals from 12.8 expected goals (xG), showing excellent finishing with an 18.56% conversion rate.
- Nottingham Forest generated 21.4 xG and conceded just 7.5 xGA during the league phase.
- Forest recorded 19.1 expected points (xPTS), the highest in the competition.
- Forest are priced at 4/7, implying a 63.64% probability of a home win.
- Midtjylland are priced at 5/1, suggesting a 16.67% probability of an away victory.
- The teams previously met in October, when Midtjylland won 3-2 at the City Ground in a five-goal thriller.
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