Nottingham Forest

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Nottingham Forest face Utrecht on Thursday (17:45 GMT) in the league stage of the Uefa Europa League.

Forest fans Justin, Duncan, Finley and AJ had an early start to make the game in Utrecht.

"I have never been away with Forest in Europe before, we looked at the location and its great, so I really wanted to do a European one," they explained

"We left at 4am this morning, got the Eurostar and then train to Utrecht."

Listen to what the fans said in full here

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Colin Fray
BBC Radio Nottingham reporter

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Forest fans in Utrecht were few and far between last night, but as thousands make the journey today - either from the UK or making the short hop from Amsterdam - they'll be buoyed by the strength of the travelling Reds' squad.

Though goalkeeper Matz Sels has been left at home with a tight groin, and Ryan Yates has been added to the injury list with a hamstring problem, Forest's 22 in the Netherlands includes fit-again Murillo, Dilane Bakwa, Douglas Luiz and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Apart from those ineligible for the Europa League, the rest of the senior players are all here, and in contrast to recent previous matches in the competition, the only two inexperienced players here are substitute goalkeepers Keehan Willows and Aaron Bott.

Victory tonight would keep alive Forest's hopes of finishing in the top eight and so avoiding two play-off matches in their congested fixture calendar.

Looking for their first win in the competition, FC Utrecht are determined to cause a shock and their support will be fervent at the Stadion Galgenwaard - but Forest at least have a stronger looking squad as they themselves search for a first away win of the campaign.

Join us later on BBC Radio Nottingham for full-commentary from 17:45 GMT - with all the build up from 16:00.

Listen to full commentary on every Nottingham Forest game, and In The Game every weeknight from 18:00, on BBC Radio Nottingham.

And subscribe to the Shut Up And Show More Football podcast on BBC Sounds.

Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche has been speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham before Thursday's Europa League game against Utrecht at Stadion Galgenwaard (kick-off 17:45 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his chat with BBC Radio Nottingham:

• Dyche confirmed Ryan Yates has a hamstring injury, which will not be a quick recovery, but he insisted it is nothing too drastic.

• He said some Forest players will need to be "fast-tracked to full fitness" in order to be ready for the busy schedule.

• The Forest boss conceded the Premier League takes priority over the Europa League, but said it is still an important competition and their performances so far prove they are taking it seriously.

• On the importance of a full squad: "Considering the changes we have made, we have looked solid. There has to be a squad mentality and it is not just about the 11 playing. I am really pleased with the squad because the changes haven't drastically changed performances."

• On Thursday's opponents Utrecht, who have yet to win in the Europa League so far this season: "They have had a softer spell in their league but they are full of running. Tactically, these [European] games are slightly different. It still comes down to our performance though."

David Jackson
BBC Radio Nottingham reporter

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Rather like the travelling Nottingham Forest fans this week, Sean Dyche has a dilemma.

While supporters have been deciding whether to spend a couple of days in Utrecht for this match or stay a short train ride away in Amsterdam (judging by our walk around the city of Utrecht this afternoon, I'd say most have chosen the latter), Dyche has been deciding what kind of team to put out on Thursday night.

Forest once again, after a midweek game, looked tired and underperformed in a weekend Premier League match – this time, losing 3-0 at Everton.

So Dyche knows he needs to rest his key players where he can. The question is, when?

Forest have waited 30 years for a European campaign and don't want to take it lightly and a win over Utrecht keeps them on track for a possible top eight finish. But then, well, the Premier League is the Premier League.

With a home game against Tottenham coming up on Sunday, I'd expect Dyche to take this game against Utrecht as a chance to make a number of changes and maybe even get a proper look at some of the academy players – Zach Abbott and Jimmy Sinclair both played against Malmo, remember.

With injury problems hopefully easing over the next few weeks, Dyche might have the chance to be more calculated about rotating senior players in the new year.

But, rather like the fan I spoke to today who said he chose Utrecht over Amsterdam "to try something new", Dyche could well adopt the same philosophy on Thursday.

Join us tonight from 18:00 to 19:00 GMT on BBC Radio Nottingham (and BBC Sounds) as we preview the game with Steve Hodge and Colin Fray.

From 16:00 GMT on Thursday, we'll be on BBC Radio Nottingham for all the build-up and commentary.

Nottingham Forest along with Leeds United have made initial enquiries for Hibernian midfielder Josh Mulligan as they consider a January move for the 23-year-old. (Daily Mail), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

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As ever with Nottingham Forest, it is often a case of two steps forward, one step back. Just when there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel, something gets in the way.

Losing to Brighton seemed to be one of those days - some games just do not go your way. Losing to Everton was different.

You cannot face a David Moyes team and not be up for the fight. You cannot face Everton and be sloppy in possession, meek in 50-50s and dithering in front of goal.

Which was baffling because Sean Dyche knows exactly what to expect from the Toffees. Of course, we cannot overreact to every defeat - we are on the right trajectory, it is just the journey is not always smooth.

Another night in Europe beckons on Thursday in Utrecht, before Sunday at home to Spurs. Worryingly though, the injuries appear to be mounting.

In Ola Aina, Murillo and Chris Wood, we are already without three mainstays from last season. Add Dilane Bakwa, Douglas Luiz, Taiwo Awoniyi, Oleksandr Zinchenko and now Ryan Yates to that list and the trouble is obvious. Ibrahim Sangare and Willy Boly are will also likely be off to Afcon with the Ivory Coast in a matter of days.

Form is affecting other players and perhaps the best we can expect is results to be up and down for a few weeks. However, with several of those injured players due back within a few weeks, maybe the immediate future is not so bleak.

The bottom three are still close but with crunch games against teams around us, as well as a few at the top and a rematch against Everton on 30 December, we will know just how many steps we have taken forward by early in the new year.

Until then, lessons will be learnt from Saturday's 3-0 defeat and the light at the end of the tunnel will stay within sight.

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The FA Cup third round will take place between Thursday, 8 January and Monday, 12 January.

Find out who your Premier League club will play below.

• Wolves v Shrewsbury Town

• Tottenham v Aston Villa

• Wrexham v Nottingham Forest

• Charlton Athletic v Chelsea

• Manchester City v Exeter City

• West Ham v Queens Park Rangers

• Sheffield Wednesday v Brentford

• Fulham v Middlesbrough

• Everton v Sunderland

• Liverpool v Barnsley

• Burnley v Millwall

• Portsmouth v Arsenal

• Derby County v Leeds United

• Newcastle v Bournemouth

• Macclesfield v Crystal Palace

• Manchester United v Brighton

See full draw here

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The draw for the third round of the FA Cup will take place on Monday, 8 December at around 18:40 GMT, before the broadcast of Brackley Town v Burton Albion - the final game of the Second Round.

Former England internationals Joe Cole and Peter Crouch will conduct the draw that will consist of 64 teams on TNT Sports.

The 20 winners of the second-round ties will be joined by all 20 Premier League clubs and 24 Championship teams in the third round.

All matches will be played around the weekend commencing Saturday, 10 January 2026.

Unlike in previous years, there are no replays if matches end as a draw. All ties will go to extra-time and if necessary, a penalty shootout.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Everton and Nottingham Forest at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Steve: This team is slowly starting to evolve. We now have a greater number of very good technical players in the squad than ever before. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is benefiting from a long run in the team, along with Iliman Ndiaye, Jack Grealish and James Garner. Jake O'Brien will eventually end up as the regular centre-back. All of a sudden, the prolonged absence of Jarrad Branthwaite isn't really affecting us. We're still a work in progress but, more importantly, the club is finally heading in the right direction.

Andrew: My first trip to the new stadium and what a performance. I was apprehensive about Forest, as they have some good players in their squad, but the Blue Boys harried and chased barely giving them a sniff. I'm pleased Thierno Barry finally got his goal and Dewsbury-Hall is really coming into his own. David Moyes is building something special and I'm starting to dream again!

Simon: After the last few years, Evertonians always expect the worst after a good result. Moyes has done a magnificent job. We can start looking upwards again, rather than being worried about relegation. We will no doubt have poor results along the way, but what an improvement from this time last year.

Forest fans

Andrea: Some good play individually, but not a great team effort. Too many balls going awry and some players looked like they needed resting. Ryan Yates added to the injury list and we are desperate for a few key players to return. Two steps forward and one step back.

Ian: Awful! A real lack of drive and control. There is no leadership on the pitch and the players are not taking responsibility. Bad signs.

Michael: The only positive from this display was Zach Abbott's performance. He played brilliantly and looked a natural in the Premier League. The rest of it was men against boys.

Carl: Sean Dyche will never change his style. He fights relegation everywhere he goes. He keeps teams up and takes the plaudits. They will lose top players if this continues.

Laura Kenyon
Final Score reporter

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On the face of it, a sense of symmetry underpinned Everton against Nottingham Forest.

Two sides with equal form, equal injury issues and with two pragmatic managers in either dugout.

What transpired, however, was far from balanced.

Everton taking the early lead tipped the pendulum in their favour and never did it swing the other way.

Forest - on the back foot - never really looking like scoring, even in promising positions.

The result is far from symmetrical: Everton emerging as surprise European contenders and Forest sucked back into the relegation mire just as they were beginning to pull clear.

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

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Sean Dyche and Nottingham Forest are proving a good fit, with the ex-Everton boss having recorded five wins in his 10 games since replacing Ange Postecoglou.

But while results have improved they remain in relegation danger with West Ham - in the drop zone but just three points behind Forest - having a game in hand.

Forest made a dreadful start with a booking for Nicolo Savona after barely 30 seconds of play, and then conceding the opener just over a minute later.

Their defending left a lot to be desired and it was mistakes at the back that ultimately led to Everton's first two goals, but their attack was also not much better, with Morgan Gibbs-White struggling to make an impact.

But this was just a second defeat in Forest's past six games in all competitions, a loss they will hope to be able to chalk down as just a bad day at the office.

Pundits Danny Murphy and Don Dublin join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea

• Tottenham 2-0 Brentford

• Leeds 3-3 Liverpool

Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day following the defeat: "We were nowhere near it on the physical side. We had the ball in many places but the decisions went against us.

"Also James Tarkowski barges a player in the back and nothing is done about it, which is a strange decision. But they did look like a team that's moving to fifth in the Premier League table.

"We were trying to come here to play, but we didn't start well. Then the second goal hits the referee on the way through, which I think should mean the game stops. The referee says it didn't hit him, but we can see it did.

"It was huff and puff, a few crosses in, no-one near it. The players deserve a lot of credit, but they have to fight and play to their shape. We were well short of that."

Did you know?

• Nottingham Forest conceded a goal inside the opening two minutes of a Premier League match for just the sixth time. It was the first time since Dwight Yorke netted for Manchester United after two minutes in February 1999.

Listen to Dyche on BBC Sounds

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Everton's performance

What did you make of Nottingham Forest's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Michael Keane returns from injury to start in defence for Everton.

The defender missed the midweek win against Bournemouth with a minor issue but has now recovered.

Everton XI: Pickford, O'Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko, Garner, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye, Alcaraz, Grealish, Barry

Substitutes: Travers, King, Patterson, McNeil, Beto, Dibling, Aznou, Campbell

Nottingham Forest are unchanged from the team that beat Wolves last-time out.

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels; Savona, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams, Sangaré, Anderson, Gibbs-White, Hutchinson, Ndoye, I. Jesus

Substitutes: John; Hudson-Odoi, Kalimuendo, Domínguez, Yates, Jair Cunha, McAtee, Boly, Abbott

There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Aston Villa v Arsenal (12:30)

• Bournemouth v Chelsea - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Everton v Nottingham Forest

• Manchester City v Sunderland

• Newcastle v Burnley

• Tottenham v Brentford - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Leeds v Liverpool (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Bournemouth v Chelsea" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Leeds v Liverpool", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

I don't know what kind of reception Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche will get from Everton fans, but I'd like to think it will be a good one - based on how he dealt with the turmoil at the club when he was in charge there.

Given the circumstances at Everton, Dyche did a good job there - and I think he will do a good job at Forest too.

Wednesday's win at Wolves was another good result for him and it already feels like he has steadied the ship at Forest.

Put it this way, it already feels like they are going to be staying up pretty comfortably, because Dyche will be well aware of the work he has to do.

I don't see Forest getting anything on Saturday, though. It's been impossible to predict how Everton will do in recent weeks, but I have a feeling they will edge a very tight game.

Sutton's prediciton: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Everton will look to continue a run of three wins in four matches when they face a Nottingham Forest side managed by former Toffees boss Sean Dyche.

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes as two in-form teams meet at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Everton's improvement under Moyes

When Everton sacked Sean Dyche in January this year, the Merseyside club were 16th in the Premier League table, one point above the relegation zone, following three wins in 19 matches.

If the tipping point for Dyche's tenure with the Toffees does not tell the whole story of how he successfully avoided relegation on two occasions despite financial troubles and points deductions, it also shows the improvement that Everton have made since David Moyes's return.

Moyes replaced Dyche and went on to guide Everton to 13th last season, some 23 points clear of relegation.

Everton's upward progress has continued into this campaign, with the Toffees amassing 21 points by 2 December – a figure they failed to reach until mid-February in each of the past three seasons, including both under Dyche.

The data also demonstrates how Moyes has made Everton more effective in both boxes, scoring more goals and conceding less often, whilst crucially winning a higher percentage of matches.

Such improvements have been boosted by recruiting the likes of Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to bolster Everton's creative capabilities but the journey, as Moyes has often referenced this season, is far from over.

Everton have lost two of their three previous matches at the Hill Dickinson, following only one defeat in the previous 13 at home, and Moyes's men will need to be at their best to see off a Forest side enjoying their own resurgence under Dyche.

Dyche galvanises Forest

While Everton were ailing when Dyche departed in January, his early impact in the East Midlands has been mightily positive. Forest have lost just two of nine matches in all competitions since Dyche replaced Ange Postecoglou in October, collecting 10 points from six league fixtures.

They come into this contest with exactly the same record as Everton over the past five matches (D, W, W, L, W) but crucially Forest have clicked away from home, winning consecutive top-flight matches on the road for the first time in a year courtesy of the 1-0 triumph at Wolves on Wednesday night.

Three wins in the last four Premier League games are as many as Forest had managed in their previous 18 (D5, L10), while Dyche has steered the club from 18th to 16th and four points clear of relegation.

A Premier League table since Dyche's first league game in charge on 26 October would place Forest in seventh – on exactly the same points as Everton.

Fitness concerns for both sides

With little to choose between the sides in terms of form, player availability could be key.

Everton are missing suspended midfielders Idrissa Gueye and Tim Iroegbunam, alongside injured number eight Merlin Rohl, meaning the home side look a little light in the engine room in a contest which is sure to be physical.

It could also present a problem at right-back should Michael Keane remain out. James Garner deputised there during Tuesday's win at Bournemouth to allow Jake O'Brien to cover for Keane at centre-back, although Garner may be needed in midfield on Saturday.

Forest, though, have fitness concerns of their own, with up to eight players at risk of missing out, but Dyche told Thursday's press conference that Morgan Gibbs-White is set to feature after he was substituted during injury time at Molineux.

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Former Nottingham Forest defender James Perch says Igor Jesus "deserved" to score his first Premier League goal against Wolves on Wednesday because "he's been very good so far this season".

Not only that, Jesus also had one disallowed in the first half after a video assistant referee review.

"He was on his own playing against three big centre-halves and he put himself about and made it hard for them," said Perch on the Shut Up and Show More Football podcast. "His work rate is unbelievable. Second to none.

"He deserved that goal because I think he's been very good so far this season. He is an all-rounder in my eyes.

"He isn't lightning quick, but he is willing and that's what makes him hard for defenders. He can jump, he can leap and he doesn't mind being clattered by bigger lads so he is brave.

"He has got pretty much everything without being superb at one thing.

"There's a lot of pressure on him, so it shows the strength of his character. Chris Wood is a big miss after last season, so he will have come into this team knowing he has to produce.

"I think he has done that, even if it isn't reflected in his goals tally. He deserves getting a run in this team.

"He isn't just getting it because Wood is injured - it's because he deserves it."

Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds

The latest Shut Up And Show More Football podcast is here.

David Jackson, Colin Fray and James Perch discuss Forest's win over Wolves on Wednesday, in which Igor Jesus bagged his first Premier League goal.

Listen to the full episode here

Explore all Nottingham Forest content on BBC Sounds

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Sean Dyche says his reception from Everton fans may be "good, bad or indifferent" on Saturday when he returns in the opposing dugout as Nottingham Forest boss.

Dyche was sacked earlier this year after fewer than two years in charge of the Toffees, but during that time he faced several challenges on and off the pitch.

He successfully kept them in the Premier League on the final day of his first season, despite succeeding Frank Lampard when they were in the relegation zone.

And most noticeably, he steered the Toffees to a 15th-place finish in the 2023-24 campaign, despite the Merseysiders being deducted eight points for two separate breaches of Premier League financial rules.

"It was hard," said Dyche. "I said openly that it was a very hard situation to manage and I was very proud of what we all did.

"There were so many people involved with getting the club through that really messy period, on and off the pitch for many different reasons.

"The time had probably come [to leave] and that's the way it goes. Players were dwindling a little bit. They thought a change of face would work and it has done.

"[David] Moyes with the history of the club and the know-how of the Premier League is doing a good job, as I thought he would do. Moyes knows I am a big fan of his and have been for many years.

"I left on good terms with everyone."

When asked what reception he expects to receive at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, Dyche said: "The Toffees are a strong bunch in many ways. It might be good, bad or indifferent, I don't know.

"Deep down they know the work that we did and I know there's plenty of them [that do] as they come and tell me.

"Whatever reception I get isn't really relevant to me, but there are a lot of good people there who I made links with during a very difficult period."

Hear more from Dyche on BBC Sounds

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Dyche went in prepared with a list of updates on those who are sidelined, including Chris Wood who is "making a bit of progress, but it is still early days."

• Douglas Luiz "is close to getting back to training," Oleksandr Zinchenko "is on the grass and doing fine" and Dilane Bakwa has now played 60 minutes "unscathed" so Forest will continue to build up his fitness.

• Goalkeeper Angus Gunn "is a bit delayed" in his rehabilitation "but getting better"; however, Ola Aina "is still a bit of time" away from making a return.

• On Morgan Gibbs-White who came off in the 93rd minute against Wolves: "I think he's OK. There are a few knocks at the minute because we are playing a lot of games. I don't think it's anything serious or it's certainly not been reported as serious."

• Dyche was "super pleased" with the way Forest "found a way to win" against Wolves on Wednesday despite not playing well as they did at the weekend in a defeat by Brighton.

• On facing former club Everton: "They have done well. David Moyes knows I am a big fan of his and have been for many years. His sides are always difficult to play against. We know we have got to go out there in good form, which we are, and there is a good energy in the camp."

• Finally, he said he is "very pleased" with Omari Hutchinson and "what he is offering" to the team, after making his first Premier League start for Forest on Wednesday: "He's been in the Premier League with Ipswich but he's developing into this club and feeling more assured."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Hear more from Sean Dyche on BBC Sounds