Porto stand in the way of Nottingham Forest and their first European semi-final in over 40 years as the two teams meet in their Europa League quarter-final second leg at the City Ground on Thursday.
The tie is finely poised after the first leg at the Estádio do Dragão ended in a 1-1 draw following Martim Fernandes' comical own goal, with the Porto right-back managing to find the back of the net with a wayward backpass from 40 yards out.
The winners of this fixture will encounter the victors of Aston Villa's tie against Bologna, with the Villans holding a 3-1 aggregate lead after their first leg meeting at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara.
While Forest will be determined to reach the final four of the Europa League, Vitor Pereira will have one eye on a crucial Premier League fixture against Burnley on Sunday as the East Midlands bid to stave off Premier League relegation.
In last week's trip to Portugal, Pereira decided to rotate his squad and handed rare starts to prodigious defender Zach Abbott, James McAtee and Dilane Bakwa. Chris Wood, who has been sidelined for the majority of the season following knee surgery, made his first start since the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United at the start of October.
The Portuguese head coach will have some big decisions to make again for the visit of Francesco Farioli's outfit as he looks to keep some of his key players fresh for the showdown against Burnley at the City Ground on Sunday.
While it's unlikely to come into Pereira's thinking, several Forest players are walking a suspension tightrope in the Europa League.
As per Article 63 of UEFA's regulations, players are suspended for the next competiton match after receiving three yellow cards (that did not result in a red card). However, all yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals and are not carried forward to the semi-finals.
Forest have five players that are currently on two yellow cards heading into the quarter-final second leg against Porto.
The influential duo of Morgan Gibbs-White and Murillo have both picked up two cautions in the Europa League this term and if they were to pick up another yellow card in Thursday's contest, they would receive a one-match suspension if Forest progress to the semi-finals.
Defender Morato is another individual on the cusp of a suspension, while midfielder Ryan Yates is also one booking away from sitting out the Europa League semi-final.
Igor Jesus has been in prolific form in the Europa League this season with seven goals in 10 appearances, but the Brazilian striker has also picked up four yellow cards in the competition. As per Article 63, after players are suspended for the next match following three yellow cards, they can receive another suspension for any subsequent odd-numbered bookings (fifth, seventh, ninth, etc.).
Nottingham Forest players at risk of suspension
- Morgan Gibbs-White
- Murillo
- Morato
- Igor Jesus
- Ryan Yates
