After failing to finish inside the top eight in the league phase of this season's Europa League, Nottingham Forest have been drawn to play Fenerbahce in the playoff round
The first leg of the tie will take place in Turkey on Thursday, 19 February, and the aim will be to leave the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in a healthy position ahead of the second leg at the City Ground.
The trip is Istanbul is one that the Forest faithful will be nervous and excited about in equal measure. On one hand, it's a chance to see their team in a European knockout tie, while on the other, Istanbul's reputation when it comes to football violence is notorious.
If you are a Nottingham Forest fan heading over to Istanbul for the match, here is everything you need to know.
How many Nottingham Forest fans are going to the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium
The Sukru Saracoglu Stadium is of a decent size, with a capacity of 50,530, so there should be a decent Nottingham Forest presence inside the stadium on matchday. Fenerbahce have given Forest an allocation of 1,859 tickets for the match, and these are all expected to sell out.
To be eligible for a ticket in the away end, you have to be, at a minimum, a season ticket holder at the City Ground. You will also need to have attended other European away matches to be guaranteed a ticket.
It's not exactly cheap to get to Istanbul, so it isn't anticipated that many Nottingham Forest fans will travel over without tickets.
Where will Nottingham Forest fans sit at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium?
The away end at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium is on the left-hand side of the Kuzey Stand behind one of the goals.
The away section wraps around the corner but doesn't quite reach the Maraon Stand. It spans both tiers of the stadium, with fans in the upper tier entering via blocks F, G and H and fans in the lower tier entering through blocks N, O and P.
Nottingham Forest fans are being urged to get to the ground earlier than usual to avoid any trouble at the turnstiles with local authorities and opposition supporters.
Full fans' matchday guide for Fenerbahce vs Nottingham Forest
Where to eat & drink for Nottingham Forest fans in Istanbul
A trip to Istanbul for football isn't as hostile as it once was, and most places are now welcoming to English supporters, provided you are respectful.
Some of the best places to eat and drink in Istanbul for football fans include:
- Corner Irish Pub – Asmalı Mescit Meşrutiyet Cd. No:11/A Galatasaray, 34430 Beyoglu/Istanbul
- Red River Pub – Hoca Paşa, Hudavendigar Cd. No:44, 34110 Fatih/Istanbul
- Ritim Roof – Huseyinağa, Sahne Sk. No:20, 34435 Beyoglu/İstanbul, Türkiye
How to get to the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium: Guide for Nottingham Forest fans in Istanbul
Located on the Asian side of Istanbul, there are a couple of ways to get to the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium. Its location on the banks of the Bosphorus means that a ferry is probably the coolest way to get there. From the western side of the city, board at Eminonu or Besiktas and disembark at Kadikoy. The stadium is just a 15-minute walk away from here.