Real Betis, Nottingham Forest team news: Ange Postecoglou names first XI for Europa League opener

Ange Postecoglou has named his Nottingham Forest starting lineup for Wednesday's Europa League fixture against Real Betis.

Starting with what is arguably the Premier League's side toughest game of their eight-match League Phase schedule, Postecoglou has opted to make minimal alterations to the team that drew 1-1 at Burnley at the weekend.

Notably, Chris Wood has dropped to the substitutes' bench with Igor Jesus being deployed down the middle of the attack.

Meanwhile, Callum Hudson-Odoi returns to the starting lineup, as does Ibrahim Sangare with a total of three changes being made.

Dilane Bakwa and Dan Ndoye have also dropped out of the team with Postecoglou seemingly going with three central midfielders and using Morgan Gibbs-White on the right flank.

The goalkeeper and back four have remained the same from the match at Turf Moor, with Morato retaining his place in the absence of the injured Murillo.

© Imago

Real Betis make four changes for Forest game

Meanwhile, Manuel Pellegrini has made a total of four changes for the fixture at Estadio La Cartuja.

Cedric Bakambu is the most notable inclusion down the centre of the attack with Cucho Hernandez missing out.

Former Manchester United duo Sofyan Amrabat and Antony, ex-Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Giovani Lo Celso and recent Leeds United left-back Junior Firpo all start for the La Liga club.

Real Betis XI: Lopez; Ortiz, Natan, Gomez, Firpo; Altimira, Amrabat; Antony, Lo Celso, Ez Abde; Bakambu

Subs: Adrian, Valles, Avila, Hernandez, Fornals, Garreta, Morante, Riquelme, Roca, Rodriguez, Ruibal

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels; Williams, Milenkovic, Morato, Zinchenko; Luiz, Sangare, Anderson; Gibbs-White, Jesus, Hudson-Odoi

Subs: John, Wood, Ndoye, Kalimuendo, Dominguez, Yates, McAtee, Bakwa, Boly, Savona