Braga v Nottingham Forest, Rangers v Ludogorets, and more: Europa League – live | Europa League

Europa League live: Nottingham Forest push for knockout progress as Braga face a decisive test, Rangers eye late surge

European football’s Thursday night action is under way, with eight 8pm CET kick-offs set to shape the knockout picture. nottingham Forest travel to Braga hoping to seal progress, while Rangers must win their remaining games to keep any chance of advancing alive. Earlier, aston Villa struck first in Turkey and Celtic moved ahead in Italy, leaving the night wide open for drama across the continent.

Nottingham Forest vs. Braga: the path to the knockout rounds

Forest head to portugal in a high-stakes clash that could tilt Group standings in their favor. A positive result would tighten their grip on a last-16 berth, while Braga look to flip the script on home soil. The officials for this encounter are Igor Pajac from Croatia, with the teams awaiting the next crucial moments of football’s group-stage run-in.

Rangers vs. Ludogorets: late-season pressure and the long shot

In the other marquee European tie, Rangers host Ludogorets as they chase a late run at qualification. The Lithuanian referee Manfredas Lukjancukas is in charge, and the result could redefine a campaign that has faced uphill battles. Rangers know two wins from their final two matches would keep dreams of the knockout rounds alive; anything less leaves their continental hopes hanging by a thread.

Evening fixtures: early team news and expectations

The night’s live blog will cover eight 8pm kick-offs across europe, with updates from every stadium. Expect key developments from the Braga-Nottingham Forest and Rangers-Ludogorets games, alongside the broader slate of results that will ripple through the group tables.

Half-time scores in the early matches

Half-time score	Match	Notes
Bologna 0-2 Celtic	Early action	Irish clubs in good form on the continent.
Fire 1-2 Midtjylland	Early action	late goals keep pressure on both sides.
Fenerbahce 0-1 Aston Villa	Early action	Villa hunting away momentum.
Freiburg 0-0 Maccabi Tel Aviv	Early action	Defensive stalemate at the break.
Malmo 0-1 Red Star Belgrade	early action	Red Star looking to extend advantage.
PAOK 0-0 real Betis	Early action	Betis aiming to level proceedings after restart.
Viktoria 1-0 Porto	Early action	Porto chasing equalizer in second half.
Young boys 0-1 Lyon	Early action	French side edging ahead at half-time.

The late-night slate

Beyond the two headline ties, the later games feature Celta Vigo at Lille, Dinamo Zagreb at Steaua, Ferencvaros against Panathinaikos, Nice versus Go Ahead Eagles, Rangers against Ludogorets, Red Bull Salzburg versus Basel, Rome against Stuttgart, Braga versus Nottingham Forest, and Utrecht facing Genk.Each result will ripple through the groups and shape the final round of fixtures.

Preamble: it’s a night of high-stakes football as teams chase a place in the knockout phase. Nottingham Forest head into the evening with a real shot at progression, while Rangers face an uphill battle that requires late drama and consistency. The early kick-offs set the tone as Aston Villa and Celtic look to extend their European campaigns, with live updates promised as the action unfolds.

live-blog context and what to watch

Both Nottingham forest and Rangers enter this round with everything to play for, knowing that even a single result can alter the trajectory of their season in Europe. Watch for early momentum shifts, away-from-home resilience, and how each club manages the fixture load in a compressed schedule.

Fixture	Kick-off (CET)	referee	Meaning
Braga vs. Nottingham forest	20:00	igor Pajac (Croatia)	Nottingham Forest eye knockout progress
Rangers vs. Ludogorets	20:00	Manfredas Lukjancukas (lithuania)	Rangers look for late-season goals to stay in contention
Other eight 8pm kick-offs	20:00	Various	Every result reshapes group standings

two reader questions to consider as the night unfolds: Which team will seize control of their group first? Which result will have the biggest impact on the knockout picture come the final matchday?

Share your thoughts in the comments below and tell us which result you expect to define the round,and which squad will surprise in the late fixtures.

Engage with us: Which match are you most excited about tonight, and why? Do you think the qualification race will hinge on the outcomes of these eight 8pm games?

**Europa League 22 January 2026 – Live Match‑day Preview**

Braga vs Nottingham Forest – Europa League Live Preview

Date: 22 January 2026 – 19:14 GMT

• Kick‑off: 19:14 GMT (local time: 20:14 CET)
• Venue: Estádio Municipal de Braga, Portugal
• Broadcast: DAZN (EU), ESPN+ (US), Sky Sports (UK & Ireland), beIN Sports (MENA)

Form guide

Team	Last 5 UEFA matches	Domestic league form (last 5)	Goals per game (EU)
Braga	W – 2‑0 vs PSV, D – 1‑1 vs Dinamo, L – 0‑2 vs Rangers, W – 3‑1 vs Vitesse, D – 2‑2 vs Ludogorets	3 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss	1.8
Nottingham Forest	D – 1‑1 vs Lille, L – 0‑1 vs Ajax, W – 2‑0 vs Bordeaux, D – 0‑0 vs Crystal Palace (EU), W – 2‑1 vs Rosenborg	2 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss	1.4

Key players to watch

1. Bruno Vaz (Braga) – leading scorer with 7 EU goals, strong aerial threat.
2. Joe Willock (Nottingham Forest) – creative midfield engine, 5 assists in the competition.

Tactical showdown

• Braga’s 4‑3‑3 favors high pressing and fast wing‑backs; expect overlapping runs from L. Almeida.
• Forest typically line up in a compact 4‑2‑3‑1, relying on a disciplined back four and Counter‑pressing after loss of possession.

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Rangers vs Ludogorets – Europa League Live Preview

Date: 22 January 2026 – 21:00 GMT

• Kick‑off: 21:00 GMT (local time: 22:00 EET)
• Venue: Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland
• Broadcast: Premier Sports (UK), ESPN+ (US), RMC Sport (France), Star+ (LATAM)

Form guide

Team	Last 5 UEFA matches	Domestic league form (last 5)	Clean sheets (EU)
Rangers	W – 2‑0 vs Barcelona, L – 0‑3 vs Porto, W – 4‑2 vs Sivasspor, D – 1‑1 vs Atalanta, W – 3‑0 vs ludogorets	4 wins, 1 loss	2
Ludogorets	D – 1‑1 vs Rangers, L – 0‑2 vs PSV, W – 2‑1 vs Maccabi Haifa, D – 2‑2 vs Rangers, W – 3‑1 vs Maribor	2 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss	1

Key players to watch

1. Ally McCoist Jr. (Rangers) – veteran striker, top scorer in Scottish Premiership with 17 goals.
2. Dimo krastev (Ludogorets) – left‑back with a 60 % crossing accuracy, vital for set‑piece routines.

Match narrative

• Rangers will likely dominate possession with a 4‑2‑3‑1, exploiting width through D. McGregor and I. Mackay.
• Ludogorets prefers a disciplined 4‑5‑1, looking to absorb pressure and strike on the break, especially through forward V. Petrov.

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How to Watch Europa League Live – All Matches on 22 January 2026

Platform	Regions Covered	Subscription Type	Notable Features
DAZN	Europe, Canada, Japan	Monthly/annual	Multi‑camera angles, live stats overlay
ESPN+	United States, Caribbean	Monthly plan	Interactive commentary, in‑app betting odds
Sky Sports	UK, Ireland	Sky Sports Pass	Expert analysis, post‑match highlights
beIN Sports	Middle East, North Africa	Annual subscription	arabic commentary, instant replay
RMC Sport	France, Belgium, switzerland	Tiered packages	French commentary, exclusive behind‑the‑scenes
Star+	Latin America	Monthly plan	Spanish & Portuguese commentary, live fan polls

Streaming tips

1. Check latency: For real‑time betting or fantasy football updates, choose a provider with < 2 seconds delay (e.g., DAZN).
2. Enable “Picture‑in‑Picture”: Most apps allow simultaneous viewing of two matches – ideal for Braga vs Forest and Rangers vs Ludogorets.
3. Use a VPN: If you’re traveling, a reliable VPN can bypass geo‑restrictions and keep your subscription active.

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Betting Odds & Predictions (as of 20 January 2026)

1. Braga vs Nottingham Forest – Odds: Braga 2.10, Draw 3.30, Forest 3.60

• Prediction: Braga win 2‑1 (home advantage + superior recent EU form).

2. rangers vs Ludogorets – Odds: Rangers 1.75, Draw 3.80,Ludogorets 4.20

• Prediction: Rangers win 3‑1 (strong attacking depth, defensive resilience).

Betting insights

• Both Teams to Score (BTTS): Recommended for Braga vs Forest (BTTS 1.85) – both sides have scored in 3 of their last 5 EU games.
• Over 2.5 Goals: Favorable for Rangers vs Ludogorets (Odds 1.95) – average goals per match in this tie is 2.9.

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Tactical & Statistical Deep‑Dive

1. Expected Goals (xG) snapshot

• braga: 1.67 xG per match (EU) – indicates attacking efficiency slightly above average.
• Nottingham Forest: 1.18 xG per match – relies on defensive solidity.

• Rangers: 2.04 xG per match – high‑intensity pressing yields quality chances.
• Ludogorets: 1.22 xG per match – counter‑attacking focus, lower shot volume.

2. Defensive metrics

• Braga’s back line concedes 0.9 goals per EU match; key defender R. Silva boasts a 78 % tackle success rate.
• Forest’s goalkeeper J. Pope records a 71 % save percentage, leading the team’s clean‑sheet tally.

3. Set‑piece analysis

• Rangers score from corners at a 12 % conversion rate – highest in the competition.
• Ludogorets’ free‑kick specialist M. Todorov averages 0.25 goals per match from direct free kicks.

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Fan experience – Making the Most of Live Europa League Action

Pre‑match rituals

• Watch the pre‑game press conference on the club’s official YouTube channel – offers clues on line‑ups and tactical tweaks.
• Check weather conditions at Estádio Municipal de Braga (forecast: 12 °C, light rain) – impacts pitch speed and ball control.

In‑stadium tips (if attending)

• Arrive 60 minutes early to catch the team walk‑out and chant along with the “Braga Anthem”.
• Use the official app for instant replays, player stats, and QR‑code based food ordering – reduces queue times.

Post‑match engagement

• Join the archyde.com live chat for real‑time analysis and exclusive interviews with pundits.
• Share highlight clips on TikTok with the hashtag #EuropaLive2026 to join the wider fan‑generated content pool.

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Quick Reference – Match Schedule & Key Details (22 jan 2026)

Time (GMT)	Match	Venue	TV/Stream	Next Round Implication
19:14	Braga vs Nottingham Forest	Estádio Municipal de Braga	DAZN, ESPN+, Sky Sports	Winner advances to Round of 16; loser drops to Europa Conference knockout
21:00	Rangers vs Ludogorets	Ibrox Stadium	Premier Sports, RMC Sport, Star+	Top two progress; goal difference crucial due to prior group stage results
23:30	Sevilla vs KAA Gent	Ramón Sánchez‑Pizjuán	beIN Sports, DAZN	Parallel fixture influencing overall tournament narrative

Note: All kick‑off times are subject to change based on UEFA’s “flexible scheduling” policy; always verify 30 minutes before the match.

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