UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Preview: Fenerbahce Hosts Nottingham Forest in First Leg
The first leg of the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 knockout round playoffs will see Turkish side Fenerbahce face England's Nottingham Forest at Istanbul's Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium on February 19, 2026. Bookmakers have already set the odds for the match. As of 15:40 on match day, the odds for a Fenerbahce win are 2.29, while a Nottingham Forest victory is priced at 3.34. The odds for a draw stand at 3.39. Bookmakers also offer odds for which team will advance to the Round of 16: 1.81 for Nottingham Forest and 2.04 for Fenerbahce. This match is a significant step in the knockout phase for both clubs, with the winner gaining a crucial advantage for the return leg.
Team Form Heading Into the Clash
The two teams are in contrasting form ahead of this encounter. Fenerbahce earned 12 points in the group stage and is currently on a four-match winning streak in domestic competition. Their recent results include:
- A 2:0 win over Kocaelispor,
- A 3:1 victory against Gençlerbirliği,
- A 3:2 triumph over Trabzonspor.
However, the team suffered a 0:1 loss to Aston Villa and drew 1:1 with FCSB in January 2026.
Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, secured 14 points from their eight Europa League group matches. Their recent form includes:
- A 4:0 win over Ferencváros,
- A 0:1 defeat to Braga,
- A 1:3 loss to Leeds.
The team also recorded draws with Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton. It's important to note that Nottingham Forest sits just three points above the relegation zone in their domestic league, adding pressure to their European campaign.
This match will be a historic first meeting between Fenerbahce and Nottingham Forest. For Forest, it marks their first-ever opponent from Turkey, while Fenerbahce has prior experience against English clubs—this will be their seventh English opponent. Historically, Fenerbahce has played 21 matches against English teams, recording 5 wins, 4 draws, and 12 losses.
The match will be broadcast live on the MEGOGO media service. The online video stream will begin at 19:45 Kyiv time on the 'MEGOGO Football 1' channel.
This Europa League playoff first leg carries major significance for both sides, as it's the initial hurdle in the knockout stage that could define their ambitions in the tournament. Fenerbahce holds the advantage of playing at home and is in stronger recent form, whereas Nottingham Forest is battling to avoid relegation in their national league, which may create additional pressure. A victory in this match could be a pivotal step toward reaching the next round for either club. — Source: sports review