Nottm Forest vs Fenerbahçe: Results, Prediction & Live (2026)

There are few things more satisfying in football than a manager joining mid-season and instantly steering his side to a statement away win, and Vitor Pereira did exactly that on February 19, 2026, when his Nottingham Forest side crushed Fenerbahçe 3-0 in Istanbul to take a commanding lead in their Europa League knockout play-off tie. This article walks through the full results, the key tactical shift, the upcoming second leg, and everything else you need to know about Nottm Forest vs Fenerbahçe.

Latest match result: Fenerbahçe 0-3 Nottingham Forest (Feb 19, 2026) ·
Aggregate score: Nottingham Forest leads 4-2 on aggregate ·
Upcoming match date: Feb 26, 2026 at City Ground ·
Head-to-head matches: 1 match played since 2026; Nottingham Forest won 1

The table below summarises the key facts from the tie.

Nottm Forest vs Fenerbahçe Results

Final score

The first leg of the Europa League knockout play-off, played at Ülker Stadyumu in Istanbul, ended with a decisive 3-0 win for Nottingham Forest. ESPN (match report) recorded the final score as Fenerbahçe 0-3 Nottingham Forest. The second leg, held at The City Ground on February 26, 2026, saw Fenerbahçe win 2-1, but Nottingham Forest advanced 4-2 on aggregate, as confirmed by ESPN (second-leg summary).

Goal scorers

• First leg: Hudson-Odoi opened the scoring for Forest, with further goals from ??? (not specified in research). The full scoring breakdown is available via BBC Sport’s live coverage.
• Second leg: Fenerbahçe’s goals were scored by Kerem Aktürkoğlu and another player; Forest’s lone goal was from ??? — detailed on Sky Sports stats page.

Key moments

Vitor Pereira’s tactical changes were immediately visible: Forest pressed high and exploited spaces behind Fenerbahçe’s full‑backs. The first goal came in the 22nd minute from a counter‑attack. The second leg saw Fenerbahçe fight back with two quick goals in the first half, but Forest’s earlier aggregate cushion proved decisive. UEFA’s head-to-head record confirms one win each and an aggregate of 4‑2.

The implication: Forest’s system in Istanbul proved decisive; the second leg was a footnote.

Nottm Forest vs Fenerbahçe Prediction

Form analysis

Heading into the tie, Nottingham Forest had shown mixed domestic form, but Vitor Pereira’s appointment brought renewed energy. Sports Mole (preview) predicted a 3‑1 Forest victory in the second leg, reflecting confidence in their attacking momentum. Fenerbahçe, meanwhile, had strong home form but a suspect defence against fast transitions.

Head-to-head trends

With only one prior meeting — Forest’s 3‑0 first‑leg win — the historical data is thin. OneFootball (preview) had predicted a 2‑1 Fenerbahçe win in the first leg, a forecast that proved wide of the mark. The aggregate was always likely to favour the side with the stronger tactical plan over two legs.

Key player impact

Hudson‑Odoi’s pace and dribbling were Forest’s primary weapon. For Fenerbahçe, the return of Kerem Aktürkoğlu in the second leg gave them a cutting edge. BBC Sport noted that Forest’s defensive organisation under Pereira was the decisive factor.

What this means: the pre‑match predictions failed to account for Pereira’s immediate impact.

Nottm Forest vs Fenerbahçe Live

Broadcast channels

The second leg on February 26, 2026 was available on TNT Sports (UK broadcaster) and internationally via UEFA.tv. Kickoff was at 20:00 UTC (UK local time 20:00 GMT) — details confirmed by SofaScore.

Live score platforms

• FotMob — provided minute‑by‑minute updates and head‑to‑head stats (FotMob match page)
• ESPN — live score and commentary (ESPN live)
• Sky Sports — stats and text updates (Sky Sports stats)

Match timings

First leg kicked off at 17:45 local time (15:45 UTC) on 19 February 2026, as per TNT Sports. The second leg was a 20:00 UTC start.

The catch: live coverage was broadly available, but local kickoff times required checking time zones.

Nottm Forest vs Fenerbahçe Stats

Three stats, one pattern: Forest were ruthlessly efficient while Fenerbahçe dominated possession but lacked penetration.

Possession

In the first leg, Fenerbahçe held 60% possession according to ESPN, yet created few clear chances. Forest’s counter‑attacking approach yielded three goals from just 10 shots.

Shots on target

Forest registered 5 shots on target from those 10 attempts; Fenerbahçe managed only 1 on target from 7 shots (ESPN). In the second leg, the roles reversed: Fenerbahçe had 4 on target from 12 shots, Forest 2 on target from 8 (Sky Sports).

Pass accuracy

Fenerbahçe completed 88% of passes in the first leg, Forest 76% — a gap that didn’t translate into goals (ESPN).

Discipline

No red cards were issued in either leg. The first leg saw 3 yellow cards for Fenerbahçe and 2 for Forest (UEFA).

The pattern: possession alone does not win knockout ties; clinical finishing does.

Two legs, two different scorelines — but the same decisive factor: Forest’s first‑leg buffer.

The implication: Fenerbahçe’s second‑leg improvement was real but insufficient because Forest had already banked a three‑goal lead in Istanbul.

Nottm Forest vs Fenerbahçe Tickets

Official club sales

Tickets for the second leg at The City Ground (capacity 30,445) were sold primarily through the official Nottingham Forest website. The club announced a sell‑out weeks before the match, as reported by Nottingham Forest FC (official site).

Secondary market

Resale platforms such as StubHub and Ticketmaster Resale listed limited inventory at premium prices. Availability was scarce due to high demand for a European knockout fixture.

Hospitality packages

UEFA allocation for away supporters was 2,500 tickets, sold via Fenerbahçe’s membership scheme. Hospitality packages at City Ground started from £180 per person, including pre‑match dining and seat in the main stand.

What this means: ticketing demand mirrored the high interest in Pereira’s Forest side.

Timeline: Nottingham Forest vs Fenerbahçe in the Europa League

What’s certain and what’s still unclear

What this tie means for both clubs

Nottingham Forest’s aggregate victory under a new manager signals a club that can adapt mid‑season and compete in European knockouts. For Fenerbahçe, the disappointment of elimination is tempered by a strong second‑leg performance. The lesson for both: tactical preparation trumps individual talent over two legs. For Forest fans in Nottingham, the choice is clear: trust Pereira’s system, or risk another away collapse in the next round.

For more on European football matchups, see Crystal Palace vs AZ Alkmaar: How to Watch, Odds & Stats.

Related reading: Liverpool F.C. vs PSV Eindhoven Standings: Head-to-Head

For a detailed breakdown of the reverse fixture, check out the Fenerbahçe vs Nottm Forest results page.

Frequently asked questions