The City Ground is set for a European night to remember. Nottingham Forest host Danish side Midtjylland in the first leg of the Europa Conference League quarter-finals on 14 May 2026. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side has defied all expectations this season. Sitting 7th in the Premier League and chasing a first major European trophy since 1980, Forest are dreaming again. But Midtjylland are no pushovers. The Danish champions knocked out Fenerbahce and Lazio to reach this stage. Here is everything you need to know about Nottm Forest vs Midtjylland, including team news, predicted lineups, and how to watch live. While Manchester City chase a quadruple, Forest are chasing a fairy tale of their own.
Match Details: Nottm Forest vs Midtjylland
Competition: UEFA Europa Conference League – Quarter-Final First Leg
Date: Thursday, 14 May 2026
Kick-off: 20:00 BST
Venue: The City Ground, Nottingham
Referee: Sandro Schärer (Switzerland)
The second leg takes place on 21 May 2026 at the MCH Arena in Herning, Denmark. The winner over two legs faces either Club Brugge or Fiorentina in the semi-finals.
How to Watch Nottm Forest vs Midtjylland Live
United Kingdom: The game is live on TNT Sports 2 and discovery+. Coverage begins at 19:30 BST.
USA: CBS Sports Network and Paramount+ (English) and ViX (Spanish).
Denmark: TV2 Play and TV2 Sport.
Australia: Stan Sport.
Canada: DAZN.
India: Sony LIV and Sony Sports Network.
If you need an affordable device to stream all the European action, check Back Market UK for refurbished phones and tablets to catch every goal.
Team News and Injuries
Nottingham Forest:
Nuno Espirito Santo has almost a full squad to choose from. Here is the latest:
- Taiwo Awoniyi: Fit and available. The Nigerian striker has 14 goals this season and is expected to lead the line.
- Morgan Gibbs-White: Available despite a minor knock. The playmaker is Forest’s creative heartbeat.
- Neco Williams: Returned to full training after a hamstring issue. Will compete for the right-back spot.
- Felipe: Out with a long-term knee injury. Not expected back this season.
- Callum Hudson-Odoi: Available after suspension in the last round.
Midtjylland:
The Danish side has injury concerns of their own:
- Franculino Dju: The Bissau-Guinean striker is doubtful with a thigh problem. He has 9 goals in the Conference League this season.
- Henrik Dalsgaard: The veteran defender is fit and expected to captain the side.
- Emiliano Martínez: The Uruguayan midfielder (no relation to the Aston Villa keeper) is suspended for the first leg after yellow card accumulation.
Unlike Alexander Isak’s injury nightmare at Liverpool, Forest’s attacking options are fully fit and firing ahead of this crucial European tie.
Predicted Lineups
Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1):
Sels; Williams, Murillo, Niakhaté, Aina; Sangaré, Danilo; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Awoniyi.
Midtjylland (3-4-3):
Lossl; Dalsgaard, Juninho, Bech; Andersson, Charles, Sørensen, Paulinho; Buksa, Chilufya, Dju (if fit).
Head-to-Head Record: Never Met Before
This is the first competitive meeting between Nottingham Forest and Midtjylland. Forest have faced Danish opposition twice before, beating Brondby 5-1 on aggregate in the 1995/96 UEFA Cup. Midtjylland have faced English sides four times, losing to Liverpool (2022), Arsenal (2021), and Southampton (2015), but they did beat Manchester United 2-0 in the 2015/16 Europa League group stage.
That result at Old Trafford still haunts United fans. Midtjylland are fearless when facing Premier League opposition.
Form Guide: How Both Teams Reached the Quarter-Finals
Nottingham Forest’s Road to the Quarter-Finals:
Group Stage: Topped Group G (W4 D1 L1)
Round of 16: Beat Dinamo Zagreb 3-1 on aggregate (2-0 home, 1-1 away)
Key Stat: Forest have not lost at the City Ground in European competition since 1984.
Midtjylland’s Road to the Quarter-Finals:
Group Stage: Topped Group C (W5 D0 L1)
Round of 16: Beat Lazio 4-3 on aggregate (2-2 home, 2-1 away)
Key Stat: Midtjylland have won 7 of their last 9 away games in European competition.
Just like getting a table at Speedboat Bar requires patience and timing, Forest will need discipline and precision to break down a well-organized Midtjylland defense.
Key Battles to Watch
Morgan Gibbs-White vs Henrik Dalsgaard:
Gibbs-White has 11 assists in all competitions this season. Dalsgaard, the 36-year-old Danish veteran, has the experience to frustrate him. If Gibbs-White finds space between the lines, Forest will score.
Taiwo Awoniyi vs Juninho:
Awoniyi’s power and pace trouble any defense. Juninho, Midtjylland’s Brazilian center-back, is aggressive and strong in the air. This is a classic Premier League physical battle.
Anthony Elanga vs Paulinho:
Elanga’s direct running on the left wing could expose Midtjylland’s right wing-back, Paulinho, who prefers attacking to defending. Expect Forest to target that flank.
Tactical Preview: How Nuno Will Set Up
Nuno Espirito Santo has transformed Forest into a compact, counter-attacking machine. At home, Forest average 55% possession but prefer to sit deep and hit quickly on the break. Morgan Gibbs-White drops deep to collect the ball, while Awoniyi and Elanga sprint in behind.
Midtjylland, coached by Thomas Thomasberg, play a flexible 3-4-3. They build from the back patiently but can go direct to target man Franculino Dju. Their biggest threat is set pieces; they have scored 11 goals from corners this season.
Forest must avoid cheap fouls around the box. Midtjylland’s Danish international wing-back, Andersson, delivers dangerous dead balls.
Score Prediction: Nottm Forest vs Midtjylland
The City Ground under the lights is a special place. European nights have returned to Nottingham for the first time since 1996. The home crowd will be the 12th man.
However, Midtjylland are battle-hardened. They knocked out Lazio in Rome. They will not be intimidated. Forest’s Premier League fitness and depth should tell over 90 minutes, but a clean sheet is not guaranteed.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2 – 1 Midtjylland
Goal Scorers: Awoniyi (34′), Gibbs-White (67′) for Forest; Chilufya (52′) for Midtjylland.
Just as Narrow Road to the Deep North takes viewers on an emotional journey, this two-legged tie will take Forest fans on a rollercoaster of emotions.
What Happened in the Europa Conference League This Season?
The Europa Conference League has provided drama all season. Fiorentina, last year’s runners-up, are still in the competition and face Club Brugge in the other quarter-final. Aston Villa were knocked out by Ajax in the Round of 16. Chelsea, who won the competition in 2024, are not participating this season after finishing 7th in the Premier League last year.
For Nottingham Forest, winning this trophy would be their first major European silverware since back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980. Brian Clough’s ghost still haunts the City Ground corridors. Nuno’s side is writing a new chapter.
Ticket Information: City Ground Sold Out
The City Ground has a capacity of 30,445. Every single seat has been sold for the Nottm Forest vs Midtjylland first leg. Club members had priority access from 28 April. General sale tickets were gone within two hours. Secondary market prices for hospitality packages have exceeded £400.
Fans without tickets are urged to watch in official fan zones or local pubs. The Forest supporters’ trust has organized a big screen showing at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham for those who missed out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What time does Nottm Forest vs Midtjylland kick off? Kick-off is at 20:00 BST on Thursday, 14 May 2026.
Is the Nottm Forest vs Midtjylland game on TV? Yes. In the UK, it is live on TNT Sports 2. In the USA, it is on Paramount+.
Who is the referee for Nottm Forest vs Midtjylland? Swiss referee Sandro Schärer will officiate the first leg at the City Ground.
Can I still buy tickets for Nottm Forest vs Midtjylland? The match is officially sold out. Check the official club ticket exchange for potential resale seats.
When is the second leg? The second leg is on Thursday, 21 May 2026 at the MCH Arena in Herning, Denmark. Kick-off is at 18:45 BST.
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