Sturm Graz vs Nottingham Forest – Europa League Preview & Team News
Nottingham Forest travel to Austria to face Sturm Graz in a vital Europa League clash as both sides hunt points that could define their group stage hopes. This fixture represents an important early test for Sean Dyche's men away from home in a hostile Merkur Arena environment. (Source: The Football Faithful)
Match facts
- Date: Thursday, 6 November 2025.
- Kick-off: 17:45 GMT.
- Venue: Merkur Arena, Graz.
- Referee (matchday): Mykola Balakin (VAR: Robert Schröder).
Team news & infections
Sturm Graz
The hosts are hampered by a few absences. Midfielder Tochi Chukwuani is suspended for the game, while Max Johnston and Belmin Beganovic are out with hamstring and ankle problems respectively. Defender Alexandar Borkovic is also ineligible for European competition selection. These absences dent Graz’s selection options heading into the match.
Nottingham Forest
Sean Dyche faces a stretched squad. Douglas Luiz is a major doubt after picking up a hamstring issue at the weekend. Forest will also be without Ola Aina, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Dilane Bakwa and Chris Wood, while Taiwo Awoniyi and Omari Hutchinson are unavailable for European duty due to competition registration rules. The injuries and ineligibilities force Dyche to reshuffle his options.
Form guide
Sturm Graz have struggled for consistent results domestically in recent matches and will be eager to use home advantage to get back on track. Nottingham Forest came away with a morale-boosting 2-2 draw against Manchester United last weekend, halting a poor run, but league form remains a concern.
Predicted line-ups
Nottingham Forest (predicted): Sels; Savona, Murillo, Milenkovic, Williams; Anderson, Sangare; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus.
How to watch
In the UK, coverage is expected to be available on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate — coverage usually begins shortly before kick-off. Check your local listings and streaming options for live coverage.
Quick tactical note
Expect Sturm Graz to be compact and organised at home, looking to press quickly and exploit set-piece moments. Forest, with a thinner squad, may adopt a pragmatic approach—seeking to control midfield and launch quick counters through wide players. The team that manages transition phases better is likely to come away with the advantage.
Prediction & betting angle
This is a tight encounter on paper. If you favour a safe preview line: a narrow draw or a single-goal home win are plausible outcomes. Bettors should monitor late injury updates and team sheets before placing any stakes.