Preview: Sturm Graz vs Nottingham Forest - Prediction and Team News
Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa League clash between Sturm Graz and Nottingham Forest. Sean Dyche, the new Nottingham Forest manager, has emphasized his commitment to playing effective football rather than fashionable styles. This approach brought success in his debut as Forest won 2-0 against Portuguese giants Porto at the City Ground, marking their first European victory in 30 years.
Since then, Forest have struggled in the Premier League, earning only one point in their last two matches under Dyche: a 2-0 loss to Bournemouth and a 2-2 home draw with Manchester United. This has extended their top-flight winless streak to nine games (three draws and six losses), placing them 19th in the league table.
Although Premier League relegation is a concern early in the season, Forest currently sit 17th in the 36-team Europa League standings. They have one win, one draw, and one loss in their first three matches of the League Phase. A victory on Thursday could move them into the top eight, depending on other results.
Forest will travel to Austria aiming to break a seven-match away winless streak across all competitions (three draws, four losses). They also seek to strengthen their defensive record, having kept only one clean sheet since early April, which came in the 2-0 win against Porto.
Sean Dyche has made it crystal clear that he intends to implement ‘effective’ football as opposed to ‘fashionable’ football at new club Nottingham Forest.
Forest beat Portuguese giants Porto 2-0 at the City Ground to claim their first European win in 30 years.
Author's summary: Nottingham Forest face Sturm Graz in the Europa League aiming to end a winless away run, improve their defense, and continue positive momentum after breaking a 30-year European drought.