europa conference league: Vitor Pereira to make Nottingham Forest debut in high-stakes Fenerbahce tie
Nottingham Forest head into a continental knockout on Thursday, February 19, 2026, with Vitor Pereira making his managerial debut as the club visits Fenerbahce. The first leg at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium kicks off at 12: 45 PM ET in what will be a maiden meeting between the two clubs — a test that immediately doubles as both a tactical challenge and a statement night for the new coach.
Pereira’s baptism of fire: fresh start amid midseason turmoil
Forest’s season has been turbulent. Owner changes of mind in the dugout have delivered a fourth head coach this campaign, with Pereira arriving on an 18‑month deal to steady the ship. The Portuguese manager, who worked with the club owner previously, inherits a side that finished 13th in the Europa League league phase and closed that stage with a dominant 4-0 win over Ferencvaros.
That Ferencvaros result — and striker Igor Jesus’s productivity in Europe, where he has six goals in six appearances — gives Pereira concrete options up front even if the prevailing domestic form has been less convincing. Expect Forest to lean on counter-attacking speed and Jesus’s finishing threat rather than long periods of possession in hostile conditions at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.
Fenerbahce’s momentum, tactical implications and market angles
Fenerbahce arrive buoyed by domestic consistency: four straight Super Lig victories and an unbeaten run that has kept them within striking distance of the summit. That sequence contrasts with a slightly uneven end to their league phase in Europe, but the current domestic momentum suggests they will approach the tie with confidence and attacking intent.
Recent form points to goals. The Turkish side have recorded both teams to score in four of their last five matches, while Forest have seen BTTS land in two of their three most recent outings. Over 2. 5 goals has cleared the line in Fenerbahce’s last two fixtures, and with Forest likely to be reshaping patterns under a new manager, expect open phases and transitional opportunities — fertile ground for goals and counterattacking chances.
From a match‑day perspective, injuries and rotation will shape the betting markets and tactical setup; confirmed lineups 60–75 minutes before kickoff will be decisive for props, goalscorer markets and totals. Odds were updated on February 18, 2026 at 5: 00 AM ET and remain subject to change; bettors should factor rotation risk and late team news into any final decisions.
What to watch during the tie
Key developments to monitor: Pereira’s starting XI and whether the team sets up to absorb pressure and strike through quick counters, the role and availability of Igor Jesus given his Europa form, and Fenerbahce’s attacking personnel capable of exploiting space against a reconfigured Forest backline. The first leg is likely to be decisive in terms of approach — a positive result for the visitors would hand them control heading into the return at the City Ground, while any home advantage for Fenerbahce could force Forest into a more aggressive second leg strategy.
For neutrals and bettors, the BTTS and over 2. 5 markets present clear value based on recent trends, with a goalscorer bet on Igor Jesus representing a standout option given his continental return rate this season. Ultimately, the fixture promises a testing welcome for Pereira and a significant early signal of whether his appointment can arrest Forest’s inconsistent run.
Kickoff is at 12: 45 PM ET on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Expect a tactical chess match laced with open transitional play — and goals.
