Porto were left scratching their heads at the full-time whistle in the first leg over just how they didn’t beat Nottingham Forest. The Portuguese side initially took the lead through William Gomes after just 11 minutes, but Forest were gifted an equaliser just a few minutes later, as Martim Fernandes passed into his own net. 

Porto were unfortunate to only score once, given that they had 16 shots and five big chances worth 2.16 xG, and that translated to five corners. This selection also landed when these sides met earlier in the competition, as Porto accrued eight corners at the City Ground. 

Porto are a side who like to utilise width when they attack, and they are averaging 5.45 corners per game in the Europa League this season. That figure actually increases when they play away, where Porto have landed this bet in four of their five Europa League matches.

The first leg between these sides wasn’t exactly the most aggressive and intense affair in terms of fouls - Poroto registered just four infringements to Forest’s 11, and Gabri Veiga was the only player to receive a card. However, second-leg knockout fixtures can often be a lot more lucrative for backing cards. 

Especially given the context of the tie, with it still hanging firmly in the balance at 1-1, tensions are likely to be raised at the City Ground. Porto have been a great side to target for cards this season, as they are averaging 4.86 cards per game in the Europa League. There were eight yellows dished out in their second leg tie against Stuttgart, and something similar on Thursday night would be ideal. 

Forest haven’t been as feisty, averaging just 3.69 cards per game, but there were six yellows shown in their round of 16 second leg against Midtjylland.

Elliot Anderson was suspended for the quarter-final first leg against Porto for an accumulation of yellow cards, but the England international looks set for a recall to the eleven midweek, as this will be a big game for Forest. Anderson recorded six foul involvements in the other game against Porto, with three fouls committed and three fouls drawn. 

Anderson has been a target in both markets this season - he ranks third out of all Premier League players this season for total fouls committed, and first for total fouls drawn. He is excellent at drawing contact in the heart of midfield, and he should have plenty of duels to contest against Porto here. 

In the first leg, Ryan Yates and Nicolas Dominguez were both heavily involved in midfield - the former managed two foul involvements, while Dominguez finished the game with four infringements to his name.

Borja Sainz took just one minute to land this selection in the first leg, as Porto started strong at the Dragao Stadium.

The winger finished the match with three shots, of which two hit the target. The former Norwich man is averaging 2.86 shots per 90 for Porto this season in the Europa League, and he will benefit from his experience playing in England here, so he will be relied upon by his manager, Francesco Farioli. 

Sainz has scored just six goals in 39 appearances since joining the Portuguese giants over the summer, which isn’t quite the expected return after he bagged 19 goals for Norwich last season, but Sainz has been active in the final third.

He is averaging 2.78 shots per 90, which is one of the highest values in the squad. He registered two shots against Forest in the league phase and was unfortunate not to hit the target.