Verdict: Draw
Best odds: 29/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
The Merkur Arena will host a crucial Europa League league-phase clash on Thursday night as Austrian champions Sturm Graz welcome Nottingham Forest.
Both sides are battling to climb the standings after mixed starts, and with qualification hopes hanging in the balance, this encounter promises tension and tactical intrigue.
Sturm Graz
Sturm Graz retained their Austrian Bundesliga title last season but have endured an inconsistent start to the current campaign. Jurgen Säumel’s side sit three points behind leaders Red Bull Salzburg with a game in hand, yet recent domestic form has been worrying—two straight defeats to Wolfsberger (3-1) and Rapid Wien (2-1) despite leading at halftime in the latter.
In Europe, Sturm Graz have collected just three points from their opening three matches, beating Rangers 2-1 at home but losing to Midtjylland (2-0) and Celtic (2-1). Those results leave them 27th in the 36-team table, one point behind Forest. Säumel praised his team’s “courageous performance” against Celtic and stressed that “small details are crucial” if they are to qualify for the knockout rounds for the first time. Expect Sturm Graz to press aggressively and rely on Otar Kiteishvili’s creativity to unlock Forest’s defense.
Team News
Sturm Graz are without Max Johnston (hamstring) and Belmin Beganovic (ankle), while Alexandar Borkovic is ineligible. Tochi Chukwuani is suspended after his red card against Celtic, so Filip Rozga or Julius Beck may deputize in midfield alongside Jon Gorenc Stankovic and Tomi Horvat.
Kiteishvili, the club’s top scorer with eight goals this season, will be key in attack.
Nottingham Forest
Sean Dyche has made his philosophy clear since taking charge: “effective football” over “fashionable football.” His debut delivered Forest’s first European win in 30 years—a 2-0 triumph over Porto—but domestic struggles persist. Forest have gone nine Premier League games without a win (D3 L6), sitting 19th in the table after a 2-2 draw with Manchester United last weekend.
In the Europa League, Forest occupy 17th place after one win, one draw, and one defeat. A victory in Graz could propel them into the top eight if other results go their way. However, Dyche’s men are winless in seven away matches across all competitions and have kept just one clean sheet in their last 23 games. Forest will look to Igor Jesus for goals and Morgan Gibbs-White for creativity, while defensive resilience remains a pressing concern.
Team News
Douglas Luiz is sidelined with a hamstring injury, joining Ola Aina, Dilane Bakwa, Chris Wood, and Oleksandr Zinchenko on the injury list. Taiwo Awoniyi, Omari Hutchinson, Jair Cunha, and Angus Gunn are unavailable as they were omitted from the Europa League squad.
Dyche may recall Ryan Yates or Ibrahim Sangaré to partner Elliot Anderson in midfield, with Gibbs-White operating behind Igor Jesus in attack.
Head-to-Head: A Rare Reunion
This is the first meeting between the sides since March 1984, when Forest claimed a 2-1 aggregate victory in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals.
Sturm Graz have faced English opposition eight times previously, winning just once, while Forest seek to end a seven-match winless run on the road.
Conclusion
Sturm Graz’s home advantage and attacking threat make them dangerous, but Forest’s need for a result and Dyche’s pragmatic approach suggest a tight contest. Expect a physical battle with few clear chances.
Both teams have struggled for consistency, and a draw seems the most likely outcome in a match that could hinge on set-pieces and defensive discipline.
Verdict: Draw
Best odds: 29/10
Bookmaker: Luckster