Nottingham Forest will face Sporting CP in a pre‑season friendly on Friday 31 July as the club continue preparations for the 2026/27 season. The fixture, scheduled to kick off at 2:45pm on 31 July 2026 according to match listings, offers manager Oliver Glasner another opportunity to refine tactics and judge squad depth ahead of the new campaign.
Pre‑season form and context
Sporting arrive in good shape after three successive friendly victories in their summer programme. The Lisbon side produced strong attacking displays, most notably a 7-0 win over Strasbourg, a 4-1 victory against Celtic and a composed 2-0 success over Monaco.
Forest’s preparations have been mixed but encouraging in parts. Glasner’s side followed earlier wins over Blackburn Rovers (3-0) and Notts County (2-0) with a 1-1 draw against Vitória de Guimarães.
- Where to watch: the game is listed on streaming platforms including Fubo, Fanatiz and beIN SPORTS Connect.
- Broadcast: beIN SPORTS have coverage of Portuguese football and list the fixture among their pre‑season content.
- Manager’s priorities: Glasner will use the fixture to probe tactical options and finalise selection ahead of the Premier League opener.
Squad movement affecting Forest
Summer activity at the City Ground has already altered Forest’s playing group. Austrian midfielder Xaver Schlager is confirmed as the club’s first signing under Glasner. In departures, midfielder Elliot Anderson has completed a move to Manchester City for a reported £116 million, and right‑back Neco Williams has attracted reported interest from Manchester United. Such business shapes the context in which Glasner will evaluate remaining and incoming players during friendlies such as this.
| Team | Recent friendlies |
|---|---|
| Sporting CP | Strasbourg 0-7; Celtic 1-4; Monaco 0-2 |
| Nottingham Forest | Blackburn 0-3; Notts County 0-2; Vitória de Guimarães 1-1 |
For supporters watching from Nottingham, the fixture will be useful for assessing how Glasner’s ideas are taking shape and which players might figure in the opening Premier League fixtures. With the domestic season approaching, both clubs will be keen to use the match to sharpen fitness, test formations and give minutes to squad members pushing for places.
Practical viewing information lists commercial streaming services carrying the game; viewers should check their subscriptions and local broadcast schedules for availability and any regional restrictions.
