Thursday’s 18/1 Bet Builder – Paddy Power News - European Football

Our tipster fancies Forest to pass the Porto test!

We head into the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday night as Nottingham Forest travel to Porto. Vitor Pereira’s main objective is of course Premier League survival at the end of the campaign, but Europe has offered a fresh break since his arrival in February, and this is the latest excursion for the Forest fans.

Ahead of an eye-catching clash in Portugal, PP News tipster Feargal Brennan has put together four selections for a Bet Builder for Thursday night’s fixture.

He’s included two player picks which are covered by Paddy’s Super Sub offer, meaning if the player gets substituted, the pick will carry over to his replacement So, let’s get to his Porto v Forest betting tips.

Forest to win
Morgan Gibbs-White to score or assist
Igor Jesus 1+ shots on target
Forest over 4.5 corners

A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 18/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

WHEN: Thursday, April 9th, 8pm
WHERE: Estádio do Dragão, Porto.
TV: TNT Sports 1/HBOMax

Forest to win

There wasn’t a great deal between the two sides in the league phase with Porto ending on 17 points and Forest on 14. One of Forest’s four wins came at home to Porto as part of a superb Sean Dyche debut at the City Ground.

However, much has changed since then, as Pereira replaced Dyche and Forest became the first team in Premier League history to have four different managers inside a single season. With seven league games to go, they are three points above the survival line, and they’ve lost just once in five across all competitions.

Porto’s league ambitions are slightly different, as they aim to hold off Sporting Lisbon in the Portuguese title race, and that will be on their minds heading into this game – so, whoever handles the domestic distraction better should win out on Thursday.

Forest have been forced to battle through the playoffs, and Pereira showed real grit to win both of his away European games – at Fenerbahce and Midtjylland – and I think he can make it three-in-a-row on the road on Thursday.

Morgan Gibbs-White to score or assist

Forest are going to need their talismanic captain Morgan Gibbs-White at his very best in the final weeks of the campaign. 11 goals and five assists is his best return for a season and he still an eye on making England’s World Cup squad this summer.

In the Premier League, he’s netted three goals in his last five games, and also registered a goal and an assist in that win away at Fenerbahce. If Forest do need a big moment on the night, it could come via their skipper.

Igor Jesus 1+ shots on target

Igor Jesus remains the Europa League’s top scorer so far this season with seven goals. However, he did most of his damage in the league phase, with just one goal scored since the start of the knockouts.

Part of that is down to team rotations made by Pereira, but his goal against Tottenham just before the international break ended a six-match run without a goal. The Brazilian is not in red-hot form, but he’s always a threat, and has registered at least one shot on target in his last three Europa appearances.

Forest over 4.5 corners

Forest are certainly not afraid to use their physical prowess and height advantage at set pieces under Pereira. In their four European games with him in charge, they’ve racked up five or more corners on three occasions, including 10 at Fenerbahce and 11 on the road at Midtjylland.

That directness away from home should be on display again and Porto will need to be on guard. They shipped 11 corners at home to Stuttgart in their last European outing and Forest’s giants will fancy their chances from a set play.

Porto v Forest tips

Forest to win
Morgan Gibbs-White to score or assist
Igor Jesus 1+ shots on target
Forest over 4.5 corners

A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 18/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change