Nottingham Forest step back onto the European stage for the first time in 29 years with a demanding opener away to Real Betis at La Cartuja. Manuel Pellegrini’s side arrive buoyed by a 3-1 win over Real Sociedad and a tidy start to life away from the redeveloped Benito Villamarín. Forest, meanwhile, begin their Europa League journey under Ange Postecoglou, who is seeking a first victory since taking charge and a platform to steady early-season turbulence.
When & where? / Kick-off details
Competition: UEFA Europa League – League phase, matchday 1
Venue: Estadio La Cartuja, Seville
Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Team news
Real Betis: Isco remains sidelined with a pre-season ankle injury. Young forward Pablo Garcia is unavailable due to Spain U20 World Cup duty. There are doubts over Diego Llorente, Ricardo Rodriguez and Nelson Deossa, leaving Pellegrini with late calls across defence and midfield.
Nottingham Forest: Nicolas Dominguez and Ola Aina are expected to miss out. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Omari Hutchinson are not registered for the Europa League. Forest hope centre-back Murillo proves his fitness after a two-match absence; if passed fit, he should rejoin Nikola Milenkovic. Callum Hudson-Odoi is pushing to start after an impactful substitute appearance at Burnley.
Tactical analysis
Pellegrini’s Betis are broadly 4-2-3-1/4-3-3, with an emphasis on tempo control, circulation through the double pivot and width from the full-backs. Héctor Bellerín’s high starting positions help lock opponents in, while Juan Miranda/Junior Firpo provide the weak-side outlet. With Pablo Fornals drifting inside to overload the half-spaces and Giovani Lo Celso threading passes between the lines, Betis can switch from patient build-up to rapid vertical attacks in a beat. Cucho Hernández’s darting runs across the line ask questions of flat back-fours, particularly when Abde Ezzalzouli isolates his marker on the break.
Nottingham Forest under Postecoglou have pressed in an aggressive 4-3-3 that can resemble a 2-3-5 in settled possession. The full-backs step infield to stabilise rest defence, allowing wide forwards to attack the last line. Morgan Gibbs-White is the connector — dropping to link and then bursting beyond the ball — while Dan Ndoye and Hudson-Odoi (if selected) give direct outlets in transition. The caveat: an evolving structure has shown some fragility against quick switches and early crosses. Murillo’s availability is therefore pivotal to hold a higher line and defend the box when Betis pile on late pressure.
Key players
Giovani Lo Celso (Betis): The rhythm-setter between lines; his through-balls and third-man combinations are central to dismantling compact blocks.
Pablo Fornals (Betis): Finds pockets, presses intelligently, and times late arrivals — especially dangerous if Forest’s eights get stretched.
Cucho Hernández (Betis): Movement across centre-backs can unpin rest defence, and he’s sharp attacking the near post.
Morgan Gibbs-White (Forest): Creative fulcrum; Forest’s best bet to control transitions and exploit Betis’ advanced full-backs.
Callum Hudson-Odoi (Forest): If he starts, his 1v1 threat on the counter could flip territory quickly and win key duels in wide areas.
Murillo (Forest): Fitness-dependent, but his recovery speed and timing in duels are vital against Betis’ rotational movement.
Predicted lineups
Real Betis predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest: Valles; Bellerín, Bartra, Natan, Firpo; Fornals, Altimira; Antony, Lo Celso, Ezzalzouli; Cucho.
Nottingham Forest predicted lineup vs Real Betis: Sels; Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Morato; Luiz, Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood.
Conclusion / Prediction
Form guide
Real Betis (all competitions): D W D L D W
Nottingham Forest (all competitions): W D L L L D
Forest’s return to Europe collides with a Betis side comfortable in their La Cartuja surroundings and well-drilled in Pellegrini’s patterns. If Forest tidy up their rest defence and transition moments, there is enough pace and craft to trouble the hosts. Equally, Betis’ control and variety in the final third should produce chances of their own.
We say: Real Betis 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest would relish a statement away win but, against a cohesive La Liga outfit, a disciplined display and sharp counters may translate into a hard-earned point.
