Nottingham Forest vs Malmö FF | Europa League Preview & Betting Tips | 27 Nov 2025

Forest have turned the City Ground into a proper fortress in Europe and another three points here would put them in a great spot for the knockout rounds. Malmö have been competitive but haven’t quite managed to turn performances into results on the continent. Expect a cracking atmosphere with the home crowd right behind the team and a decent Swedish travelling support adding to the noise.

Both sides tend to line up in a 4-2-3-1, with Forest happy to sit in and hit on the break at home, while Malmö like to control the ball and build patiently. No major fresh injury concerns reported for either side.

Malmö average 58% possession and create 1.7 xG per game, but they’ve been vulnerable defensively in Europe. Forest are more direct, averaging fewer touches but making the most of transitions and set pieces (0.3 goals from dead balls).

Forest restrict opponents to just 1.58 xG while Malmö allow 1.3 – the home side’s defensive solidity could be the difference.

Forest over the last ten: five wins, three draws, two defeats – 15 scored, 11 conceded, three clean sheets. They’ve been tough to beat and are growing in confidence.

Malmö: six wins, one draw, three defeats – 19 scored, 12 conceded, three clean sheets. Decent domestically but they’ve struggled to impose themselves in Europe.

Around 4 bookings – leaning over 3.5 cards in a competitive European tie.

Combined average 11.1 – over 9.5 corners looks a strong play.

Nearly 10 combined on average – over 9 shots on target should land comfortably.

Forest at home (last 10 competitive): 70% win rate, averaging 1.8 scored and just 0.9 conceded – very tough to beat on Trentside.

Malmö away (last 10): only 40% wins, conceding 1.6 per game – they’ve found life on the road difficult in Europe.

Malmö create slightly more on paper, but Forest have been far tougher to break down at home.

The sides have met three times competitively: the famous 1979 European Cup Final ended 1-0 to Forest in Munich. In the 1995/96 UEFA Cup they drew 0-0 at the City Ground after Malmö won the first leg 2-1 – Forest went through on away goals.

Forest are rock-solid at the City Ground and Malmö have struggled to turn possession into clear chances in Europe. Expect a tight, low-scoring game that the hosts edge.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-0 Malmö FF

Main pick: Nottingham Forest to win to nil – they’ve kept three clean sheets in their last five home games.

Value angle: Under 2.5 goals – Forest home games in Europe have all been low-scoring this season.

Double chance: Forest or draw – Malmö yet to win in the competition.

Over/under 2.5 goals: Under – both teams involved in plenty of low-scoring affairs lately.

Half-time/full-time: Draw/Forest – Malmö often start cautiously away in Europe.