Rafael Nogueira
Portimonense and Nottingham Forest close out their July preseason campaigns on July 31, 2026, in what is a significant gulf-in-class matchup on paper. Forest, ranked 26th in the world club standings, arrive as heavy favorites against a Portimonense side sitting at 883rd globally. The Portuguese outfit have shown resilience in their friendly schedule but face a step up in quality they have not yet encountered this summer. Forest’s depth and Premier League pedigree give them a clear edge, though preseason fixtures are notoriously unpredictable and rotation will play a role for Oliver Glasner’s squad.
Keep an eye on Nottingham Forest’s attacking output under Glasner, whose system demands high pressing and direct transitions, qualities that tend to expose lower-ranked opposition in open friendly conditions. On the Portimonense side, coach Alex will likely use this fixture to blood fringe players, but their recent competitive draw with Estrela and a win over Al Ahli SC show they are not completely without threat going forward.
A hot stat worth noting: in their last four matches, Nottingham Forest have scored in every game, including a 2-5 victory over Rio Ave and a 3-0 win against Blackburn, pointing to a side in sharp attacking form heading into this fixture.
| 🏆 Tournament: | International Club Friendly 2026, July Phase |
| 🗓️ Date: | 31.07.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 12:00 CEST |
Portimonense vs Nottingham Forest Prediction
The class difference between these two sides is substantial. Nottingham Forest arrive in strong preseason form, winning two of their last four matches and scoring freely, including that emphatic 3-0 win over Blackburn. Portimonense’s recent results show a team that is competitive at friendly level against similarly ranked opposition, but they have not faced anything close to Forest’s caliber this summer. We predict a comfortable Nottingham Forest win, with the English side likely to rotate their squad but still control possession and create multiple chances.
The best value option is a Nottingham Forest win with over 2.5 goals. Forest’s attacking patterns under Glasner consistently generate high shot volumes, and Portimonense’s defensive record in recent friendlies, conceding three against Rio Ave, suggests they can be opened up. Portimonense did score in their last two matches, so a goal at the other end is not out of the question, making Both Teams to Score a reasonable secondary consideration.
In terms of style, Forest are a high-energy pressing side who commit fouls in transition and earn a moderate number of free kicks, which suits their set-piece threat. Portimonense tend to be more conservative and physical at times, accumulating yellow cards when under sustained pressure. Expect Forest to dominate possession and corners, with Portimonense looking to counter on the break in the second half when Glasner’s rotations open up space.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Nottingham Forest to Win to Nil |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | No |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 8.5 |
Team Analysis
Portimonense head into this match having played three friendly fixtures in July. Their most recent outing ended in a 1-1 draw with Estrela, a result that reflects their current level, competitive against lower-mid-tier opposition but not dominant. Before that, they beat Al Ahli SC 2-0, which was their most convincing performance of the preseason. Their earlier 0-3 defeat to Rio Ave remains the clearest indicator of how they perform against technically superior sides. Coach Alex’s squad has shown moments of quality going forward but has been inconsistent defensively. Overall in 2026, Portimonense have won just 8 of 23 matches, a 35% win rate that underlines their modest form across the year. Their recent run shows three wins, three draws, and two losses in the last eight results, a mixed picture that does not inspire confidence against a Premier League-caliber opponent.
Nottingham Forest have been far busier this preseason, playing four matches in July. Their most recent game ended 1-1 against Vitoria Guimaraes, a creditable result against a Portuguese top-flight side. Before that, they suffered a surprising 2-5 defeat to Rio Ave, a result that looked anomalous given their other performances: a 3-0 win over Blackburn and a 2-0 victory against Notts County. That Rio Ave loss aside, Forest have looked sharp in attack and solid in structure. Glasner has used these friendlies to test different combinations, and the squad depth is evident. Their 2026 win rate stands at 38% from 34 matches, which is modest in raw numbers but reflects heavy rotation and the nature of friendly scheduling. Their form across the last seven results shows four wins, two draws, and one loss, a positive trajectory entering this final July fixture.
🚨Check out our dedicated Portimonense vs Nottingham Forest stats page for more info.
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Portimonense. Source: Official Facebook. Edited photo
The Verdict
We predict a Nottingham Forest win, likely by two or more goals. The world ranking gap between these clubs is enormous, and Forest’s recent attacking form, scoring in all four July friendlies, is a strong indicator of their current sharpness. Portimonense showed they can score, netting in their last two outings, but their defensive vulnerabilities against quality opposition, as seen in the 0-3 loss to Rio Ave, are a concern. To be honest, the main uncertainty here is Forest’s rotation depth: Glasner may rest key players, which could tighten the margin. Still, the squad quality difference is too wide to ignore. Nottingham Forest to win and over 2.5 total goals is our primary recommendation, with Nottingham Forest to Win to Nil offering additional value given Portimonense’s struggles against stronger defenses.
- Match Winner: Nottingham Forest
- Total Goals: Over 2.5
- Both Teams To Score: No
- Total Corners: Over 8.5
- Hot Tip: Nottingham Forest to Win to Nil
