Braga vs Nottingham Forest postponement latest as major weather warnings hit Portugal
Nottingham Forest’s Europa League clash against Braga is under threat of being affected by some adverse weather conditions in the local area.
Forest have accumulated 11 points from their six games in the Europa League so far this term, sitting 11th as in the league phase table as it stands.
Their opponents on Thursday night, Braga, have only lost once in the competition up to now, and occupy seventh in the table ahead of a huge clash for both sides’ chances of progression.
Forest earned a valuable point against Arsenal last time out, but their form has left a lot be desired in recent weeks, with just one win in their last seven matches in all competitions.
Braga’s impressive form over Christmas was ended by consecutive losses at the start of the month, and the conditions at the Estadio Municipal could well suit the visitors on Thursday.
North Portugal hit with yellow weather warnings for rain and snow
Portugal is known for its great weather in the summer months, but January has seen more tropical conditions arrive there and throughout the continent.
Braga is the northernmost major city in the country, and experiences a lot of rainfall and poor weather throughout winter as a result.
Meteoalarm have issued three yellow weather warnings for the local area for rain, snow and ice, and wind, all of which are set to be in place while Thursday’s game is underway.
Heavy rainfall is expected, while between one and five centrimetres of snow could fall to cause disruption on the roads and subsequent icy conditions.
Winds of up to 75 km per hour are also expected from the west, with Braga being just 22 miles from Portugal’s coastline.
Sean Dyche has addressed concerns over the Estadio Municipal pitch amid heavy rainfall
Forest’s players are no strangers to tough conditions on these shores, but the tropical conditions on the continent could provide a new challenge altogether on Thursday.
There has been heavy rainfall on the Estadio Municipal surface for the last few days, which is expected to continue ahead of the match and potentially during it too.
Reds boss Dyche has spoken to the media about potential concerns over the pitch, insisting that his players will know what to expect on Thursday night.
He said: “It’s heavy at the moment. A lot of rain is forecast tomorrow (Thursday), so we’ll have to wait and see.
“It (the pitch) is heavy. It’s playable at the moment, but it is quite saturated.
“It’s a good surface so we’re hoping it will take the rain however it comes. Hopefully there’s no problem with the game.”
Forest will be without Oleksandr Zinchenko against Braga, with his Arsenal loan due to be cancelled as he heads to Ajax, but Dyche will feel like his squad has enough to take all three points no matter the conditions on Thursday.