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Français (Afrique)Porto vs Nottingham Forest – Match preview and team news
Nottingham Forest face a daunting task as they travel to the Estádio do Dragão for the first leg tonight.
The Tricky Trees aim to repeat their group stage victory against the Portuguese giants. However, Porto have remained nearly perfect since that October defeat. They currently lead Liga Portugal by five points and dominate home fixtures. Vítor Pereira leads his side against his former club for the first time in his career.
Despite a difficult domestic campaign, Forest have excelled in Europe this season. They recently stunned Tottenham 3–0 to build vital momentum. Porto, meanwhile, enter this tie after a 4–1 aggregate win over Stuttgart. Both teams are desperate to secure a healthy advantage before the return leg at the City Ground.
Porto vs Nottingham Forest – Match preview and team news
- Date: Thursday, 9 April 2026
- Kick-off: 20:00 BST
- Venue: Estádio do Dragão, Porto
- Referee: Marco Guida (ITA)
- VAR: Daniele Chiffi (ITA)
- Last Meeting: Nottingham Forest 2–0 Porto ( 23 October 2025, UEL)
Team news
Porto
The Dragons are missing key strikers Samu Aghehowa and Luuk de Jong through injury. Rodrigo Mora and Nehuén Pérez also remain major doubts for this fixture. Consequently, Terem Moffi should lead the attack. Winger Borja Sainz is chasing a record; he has assisted in his last two Europa League outings.
Nottingham Forest
The visitors must navigate a significant injury crisis. Notably, Omari Hutchinson, Willy Boly, and Ola Aina are all unavailable. Star midfielder Elliot Anderson is also ruled out due to suspension. Ibrahim Sangaré and Nicolas Dominguez should therefore anchor the midfield. Joint top-scorer Igor Jesus provides a potent threat from the bench.
Form
Porto
Porto are one of only three sides with a 100% home record in this competition. They have won all five Europa League games at the Estádio do Dragão this term. The Dragons have lost just once in their entire European campaign. Notably, they have been eliminated in their last four major European quarter-final ties.
Nottingham Forest
Forest have reached their first major European quarter-final since the 1995–96 UEFA Cup. They have impressed on the road recently, losing only once in five away matches. Significantly, the Tricky Trees are currently on their fourth manager of the season. They aim to become only the third English club to beat a team twice under different managers.
Predicted lineups
FC Porto Predicted XI (4-3-3): Diogo Costa; Martim Fernandes, Bednarek, Kiwior, Zaidu; Varela, Gabriel Veiga, Froholdt; William Gomes, Deniz Gül, Pepê
Nottingham Forest Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Williams, Abbott, Milenkovic, Morato; Yates, Sangare; Dominguez, McAtee, Bakwa; Awoniyi
How to watch Porto vs Nottingham Forest?
Fans in the UK can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1. Coverage begins at 19:00 BST, with streaming available via the discovery+ app.
Read more- Nottingham Forest set massive asking price for Elliot Anderson
See Also- “He has the DNA” – Amad backs Carrick for Manchester United job
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Kennet Eichhorn: Man City rival United for Hertha wonderkid – Fabrizio Romano
Manchester United’s red-hot pursuit of Kennet Eichhorn has taken a sharp twist after a bitter rival stormed into the race for the Hertha Berlin wonderkid, according to a new report.
Toni Kroos Regen
Despite only turning 16 last summer, Eichhorn’s reputation in Germany is already skyrocketing after breaking into Hertha’s first team this season. The youngster has proven that age is just a number, however, as he has consistently produced excellent displays, demonstrating a maturity in and out of possession which has even drawn comparisons to Toni Kroos.
Described as an “all-action midfielder”, the 6’1 technician already possesses the well-rounded skill set modern football demands in the engine room, capable of dropping deep to dictate play or roaming forward to create havoc in the opposition half.
His contract at the Olympiastadion contains a release clause worth between €10-12 million (£8.75-10.5m).
A host of teams inside and outside of the Bundesliga have taken notice of this meteoric rise, with Real Madrid understood to be a frontrunner after their scouts delivered glowing reports on the potential heir to Kroos.
Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt are also keeping close tabs, while FC Barcelona will always find a home for a technically gifted midfield maestro in their ranks.
However, a report relayed by The Peoples Person revealed United are also hot on the Germany under-17 international’s tail. The Red Devils have established firm interest with a view towards “lining up” a summer swoop, such is INEOS’ desire to add him to their ranks.
The club’s hierarchy have prioritised the capture of the best young talent from right across the globe since taking the helm at Old Trafford. Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven – two of Arsenal’s brightest prospects – were signed, while further afield raids for Diego Leon from Paraguay and Malian starlet Sekou Kone were also launched.
But Eichhorn may just be the most talented of the bunch – a fact the blue half of Manchester now appears to have recognised as well.
City enter the fray
Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reveals City have now joined the race for Eichhorn’s signature, raising the potential of a transfer war erupting between the two bitter rivals.
Tweet: “EXCL: Manchester City join the race with Bundesliga and Premier League clubs for German gem Kennet Eichhorn. 16 year old talent seen as interesting profile with Man City, one more PL club and Bundesliga giants on it. One to watch in next months.”
Interestingly, Romano mentions another English side are also in the mix, undoubtedly referring to United – with a growing queue meaning Eichhorn is “one to watch” as the summer transfer window fast approaches.
Final Thoughts
It is rare for a 16-year-old to garner such widespread attention from Europe’s elite – but Eichhorn is continuing to showcase a unique skill set that elevates him beyond a normal youngster.
United’s hierarchy will have to move quickly and decisively to convince the German starlet the next step of what looks to be a brilliant career comes in the red half of Manchester, or risk missing out on another target to their noisy neighbours.
Featured image Christian Kaspar-Bartke via Getty Images
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Crystal Palace vs Fiorentina – Match preview and team news
Crystal Palace make club history tonight as they welcome Fiorentina to Selhurst Park for the first leg of their UEFA Conference League quarter-final.
The Eagles have moved into their first-ever major European quarter-final following a hard-fought 2–1 aggregate victory over AEK Larnaca in the Round of 16.
Manager Oliver Glasner oversees a squad that has shown remarkable resolve in continental competition, remaining unbeaten in Europe this season.
Palace sit 14th in the Premier League but see this tournament as a unique opportunity to secure their first major piece of silverware.
Fiorentina, meanwhile, travel to South London with significant European pedigree, having reached the final of this competition in both 2023 and 2024. Under coach Paolo Vanoli, the Viola have found form at the right time, entering this tie following a Serie A win over Hellas Verona.
They reached the last eight by defeating Raków Częstochowa 4–2 on aggregate. Notably, this is the first competitive meeting between these two sides, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the encounter.
Crystal Palace vs Fiorentina – Match preview and team news
- Date: Thursday, 9 April 2026
- Kick-off: 20:00 BST
- Venue: Selhurst Park, London
- Referee: Donatas Rumšas (LTU)
- VAR: Pol van Boekel (NED)
- Last Meeting: First competitive meeting
Team news
Crystal Palace
The Eagles suffered a late double blow ahead of tonight’s clash. Notably, Eddie Nketiah is ruled out after sustaining a hamstring injury in the final minutes of Wednesday’s training session.
Consequently, Jean-Philippe Mateta is expected to lead the line. Adam Wharton is fit to feature in midfield after a minor knock during the international break. Dean Henderson also returns to the starting eleven after missing the last two matches through illness.
Fiorentina
The visitors are without their leading goalscorer, Moise Kean, who is struggling with a tibia injury. Furthermore, Fabiano Parisi and Manor Solomon are also unavailable for the trip to London.
Notably, former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea captains the side, while English winger Jonathan Rowe is expected to start after being involved in five goals in his last six European appearances.
Form
Crystal Palace
Palace have been imperious at Selhurst Park in Europe, keeping three clean sheets in their four home matches this term. While their domestic form has been inconsistent, the Eagles have shown clinical edge in the knockout stages. Statistically, Palace have a 70% progression rate in two-legged ties throughout their history.
Fiorentina
Fiorentina arrive in London unbeaten in their last three matches, including an impressive draw against league leaders Inter. The Viola have excelled in the latter stages of this competition recently, but have struggled to secure clean sheets on the road. They are currently 15th in Serie A, making the Conference League their primary target for the season.
Predicted lineups
Crystal Palace Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Johnson, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Guessand; Mateta
Fiorentina Predicted XI (4-3-3): De Gea; Kayode, Martínez Quarta, Ranieri, Biraghi; Fagioli, Mandragora, Richardson; Bernardeschi, Beltrán, Rowe
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Fiorentina?
The match will be televised live in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate. Coverage begins at 19:00 BST.
Read more- Nottingham Forest set massive asking price for Elliot Anderson
See Also- “He has the DNA” – Amad backs Carrick for Manchester United job
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Thunderbolts claim game one over Pensacola
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) — After trailing 1-0 early, the Evansville Thunderbolts turned it on to knock off Pensacola in game one of the South Professional Hockey League playoffs.
The Thunderbolts rallied in the second period scoring three goals to claim the lead against the Ice Flyers. In the end Evansville completed the comeback and claimed the 4-1 victory to go up in the series 1-0.
“Guys were a touch nervous and they needed to breath a little bit,” said head coach Jeff Bes. “And once we got that first one it was like our team changed. You know they got the, it’s like you said they exhaled, went out, they started playing a little bit more together connected making some plays. Maybe a little bit nervous, maybe a little bit you know on the defensive side of the puck and then now we just started going and we just started skating. And when we’re skating we’re being physical we create a lot of energy and a lot of turnovers and that’s more of our game.
Now the series shifts to Pensacola for game two of the series. Puck drop is set for Friday, April 10th at 7:05 p.m. If necessary a deciding game three will be held back in the Ford Center on Sunday, April 12th at 3 p.m.
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Premier League club ‘actively encouraging’ summer bidding war between Man Utd and arch-rivals for their coveted star
Nottingham Forest are said to be ‘actively encouraging’ Manchester City and Manchester United to ignite a bidding war for Elliot Anderson this summer, according to TeamTalk.
The two Manchester outfits have both firmly set their sights on securing the midfielder’s signature before 2026/2027 gets underway.
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Elliot Anderson: The state of play
However, only one can reign victorious in the race, and United are ready to go toe-to-toe with their arch-rivals in hopes of persuading Anderson to make the switch to Old Trafford instead of the Etihad.
(Anderson’s record in the Premier League for Forest and Newcastle United, courtesy of Transfermarkt)
Despite speculation suggesting City are favourites, Forest have reportedly sought to make it clear that no deal has been agreed as of yet.
In fact, the player’s suitors might even have to wait until after the World Cup to hold concrete negotiations, as Anderson’s sole focus come the end of the season will be representing England at the tournament and going as far as possible.
Forest poised to begrudgingly sanction Anderson’s exit
In the meantime, you can understand Forest wanting to secure themselves as high a fee as possible.
Anderson has been one of their main men in the two campaigns he’s represented them, and played an integral role in Forest qualifying for Europe last term following an emphatic year at the City Ground.
There is also a lingering possibility that the Midlands outfit, who currently sit 16th-placed in the Premier League, could drop back down to the Championship in the coming month, so having ample funds to reinvest in the squad could be the difference between them coming instantly back up to the top flight or not.
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