Morgan Gibbs-White axed as Vitor Pereira makes eight changes – Nottingham Forest predicted XI vs Fenerbahce
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Credit: Imago Tue 24 February 2026 17:00, UK Vitor Pereira is set to make a host of changes to his starting eleven as Nottingham Forest defend their 3-0 lead in the second-leg of their Europa League play-off against Fenerbahce.Pereira‘s first game as Forest boss was a wholly successful one as his new side emerged 3-0 victors over Fenerbahce in Turkey last Thursday.Strikes from Murillo, Igor Jesus and Morgan Gibbs-White gave the Reds a convincing lead, with one foot in the round of 16 ahead of this Thursday’s second leg at the City Ground.The Tricky Trees are facing a battle to survive relegation from the Premier League right now, after a 1-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday left them just two points above 18th-placed West Ham.Pereira will have their next league clash against Brighton in the back of his mind this week, and is surely set to make numerous changes to his line-up against Fener as a result.Read more: Danny Murphy reveals why Vitor Pereira will be delighted with two ‘outstanding’ Nottingham Forest playersVitor Pereira could make eight changes for Forest vs FenerbahceForest’s big spending last summer has left them with a big squad full of players vying for their chance to shine, and many of those on the fringes will want to impress the new boss. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES This is Pereira’s chance to hand a first start to many of those that he has left on the bench so far, but Stefan Ortega will be expecting to continue in between the sticks, with Matz Sels still out injured.Ola Aina and Murillo may drop out of the starting XI, with Zach Abbott and Morato entering the back four alongside Nikola Milenkovic and Neco Williams.Ibrahim Sangare and Elliot Anderson shone in midfield against Liverpool, but both will need a rest in midweek, with club captain Ryan Yates and Nicolas Dominguez potentially handed starting berths.Gibbs-White might also have a breather with James McAtee perhaps starting in a more advanced role, while Dilane Bakwa and Dan Ndoye may replace Omari Hutchinson and Callum Hudson-Odoi on the wings.January striker signing Lorenzo Lucca is yet to start under Pereira, but will surely replace Igor Jesus from the off on Thursday.Read more: Nottingham Forest fans stunned at what Vitor Pereira did vs FenerbahceForest must avoid conceding early to seal safe Europa League progressionForest have been defensively resolute in several Europa League games this season, with five clean sheets from their nine games played in the competition so far.Pereira certainly looks to have injected fresh impetus and desire into their play, but they must be wary of complacency as Fenerbahce travel to the East Midlands this week.Their 3-0 lead is a comfortable one, especially after the Turkish giants mustered just two shots on target last week, but Domenico Tedesco’s side still have the prowess to hurt Forest going forward.The likes of Marco Asensio, Anderson Talisca and Kerem Akturkoglu can hurt sides in the final third, but if Forest can avoid letting an early goal in at the City Ground, they should feel confident of safely progressing to the last 16.Stay connected while travelling and watch your favourite team securely on public Wi-Fi with Proton VPN.