Forest relegation worries, Europa League chances, latest odds amid Sean Dyche appointment

If Ange Postecoglou so wished, he could watch the full highlights of his eight games in charge at Nottingham Forest on a flight back to Australia, and have time to spare. Naturally, he’s unlikely to review the footage of his doomed 39-day spell during his time at the City Ground.

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A 3-0 home defeat to Chelsea on Saturday was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Having sacked Nuno Espirito-Santo in September, Postecoglou bit the bullet in October. Sean Dyche is Forest’s third permanent manager of the season as the Tricky Trees pendulum swing from one playing style to the other.

Nottingham Forest is delighted to confirm the appointment of Sean Dyche as the Club’s new Head Coach, following a thorough recruitment process led by Global Head of Football, Edu Gaspar, and Global Technical Director, George Syrianos.

The former Forest youth player joins the… pic.twitter.com/ZjUZdG4E6j

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) October 21, 2025

In truth, Dyche would have been a more logical appointment in the wake of Espirito-Santo’s departure. The former Burnley and Everton boss is a pragmatic manager whose style is more akin to the now-West Ham head coach. Once it was confirmed he turned down Rangers, it was only a matter of time before he took his place in the Forest dugout.

The 54-year-old, like Postecoglou, which we only did this very same article six weeks ago, has limited time with which to work with the squad for the first time as Forest gear up for a return to European action. And ahead of the Europa League action on Thursday, we run through the upcoming match and relegation markets.

Nottingham Forest vs FC Porto odds

Dyche will hope for a more forgiving atmosphere on his first home European game. Chants of “sacked in the morning” echoed around the City Ground as Postecoglou watched his Forest side fall to a 3-2 loss to Danish side FC Midtjylland. Things don’t get any easier for the Midlands side, however.

FC Porto have won all but one of their opening 11 matches under Francesco Farioli, the only blip a 0-0 draw with Jose Mourinho’s Benfica. Due to home advantage, Forest are the 6/4 favourites with Betfred to beat the Portuguese league leaders in Dyche’s first game.  

Europa League odds

Yes, this may seem a little far-fetched right now, but Forest were chalked up as one of the favourites for the competition before a ball was kicked. Even when Postecoglou came in, in early September, the Tricky Trees were best priced 11/1 to win the trophy. 

READ: Europa League matchweek 3 betting tips and predictions

They are still hanging about at 12/1 with most bookies, but interestingly at 9/1 with 10bet. Although they have this week’s opponents FC Porto and Premier League rivals Aston Villa above them in the betting. 

Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest odds

After Thursday’s welcome of Porto, Dyche oversees his first Premier League match as Forest boss when he takes his side to the south coast to face Bournemouth on Sunday. The Cherries are unbeaten in their last five home meetings with Forest, and eased to a 5-0 win in this fixture last season.

Dyche, though, boasts a solid record against Bournemouth, averaging 1.63 points per game as a manager. That marks his best points per game haul against any team he has faced at least 10 times in his career.

Third-placed Bournemouth are the 7/10 favourites to claim the win, with Forest at a best price of 4/1 with BetMGM to beat Andoni Iraola’s side this weekend.

Premier League relegation odds

The seasonal aim for Dyche will be to beat the drop. It’s remarkable to say after the previous campaign but Forest are in an early-season relegation scrap. When Postecoglou took over, Forest were at 10/1 to drop into the Championship. That has since shortened to a best price of 11/4 with William Hill.

Forest were fortunate as West Ham fell to a 2-0 home defeat to Brentford on Monday night so they remain 18th. Yet with Sunderland, Leeds and Burnley look more competent than last season’s three promoted sides, Forest may yet be stuck in a season-long dogfight.

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Odds correct at the time of writing.