The Matchday 1 clash in the Premier League between Nottingham Forest and Brentford will take place on August 17 at the City Ground. Nottingham Forest vs. Brentford: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Nottingham Forest
After returning to the Premier League in 2022, the club twice finished near the relegation zone but surprised everyone last season by securing a high 7th place finish. As a result, the team qualified for European competitions (Europa League) for the first time in 29 years. Interestingly, Nottingham Forest spent a significant part of the season in the top four and had a chance to reach the Champions League zone but lost at home to Chelsea in the final round. Notably, matches at the City Ground were among the lowest-scoring in the Premier League last season, averaging 2.2 goals per game (only Bournemouth had a lower average for home matches). In preparation for the new season, the club played seven friendlies but failed to win any (5 goalless draws and 2 losses).
During this transfer window, the club sold several players: forwards Ramon Sosa and Anthony Elanga, goalkeeper Matt Turner, midfielder Danilo, and defender Andrew Omobamidele. The squad was strengthened by the additions of forwards Igor Jesus and Dan Ndoye, and defender Jair Paula.
- The club has not won in 6 of their last 8 Premier League matches (2 draws and 4 losses).
- Nottingham Forest has not won in their last 4 consecutive home matches in the league (1 draw and 3 losses).
- They have not scored more than 1 goal in 6 of their last 7 home Premier League matches.
Predicted lineup for Nottingham Forest (4-3-3)
Matz Sels – Ola Aina, Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic, Neco Williams – Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Ibrahim Sangare – Jota Silva, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Chris Wood.
Midfielder Nicolas Dominguez is out due to injury.
Brentford
The London club finished last season in 10th place. They managed to secure a mid-table finish thanks to a strong run at the end of the season (one loss in their last eight matches). Notably, the team was 5th in terms of goals scored (66), and overall, Brentford's matches were the third most productive in the Premier League, averaging 3.2 goals per game. Over the summer, the team played three friendly matches, securing one win and two draws.
Thomas Frank, who managed the club for seven years, took over at Tottenham. Kit Andrews, previously an assistant coach at Brentford, became the new head coach. The team also welcomed goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, midfielders Jordan Henderson and Anthony Milambo, forward Romel Donovan, and defender Michael Kayode. Departing the team were goalkeeper Mark Flekken, midfielder Christian Norgaard, and forward Bryan Mbeumo.
- Both teams scored in 5 of Brentford's last 7 Premier League matches.
- No more than 3 goals were scored in 9 of Brentford's last 12 Premier League matches.
- The club has not lost in 10 of their last 11 away league games (7 wins and 3 draws).
Predicted lineup for Brentford (4-4-2)
Caoimhin Kelleher – Michael Kayode, Nathan Collins, Rico Henry, Sepp van den Berg – Fabio Carvalho, Yegor Yarmolyuk, Mathias Jensen, Keane Lewis-Potter – Mikkel Damsgaard, Yoane Wissa.
Due to injuries, forward Gustavo Neves and midfielder Vitaly Janelt are out.
Referee
Peter Bankes (England)
Matches – 23 (Premier League, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 87;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.8;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 20;
Penalties – 17%.
Nottingham Forest vs. Brentford: Match Prediction
Nottingham Forest struggled in the second half of last season. Their performance in friendlies was also unimpressive, primarily due to weak attacking play. Chris Wood stopped scoring, and Nottingham Forest immediately faced problems. In their last 8 matches in the league and unofficial games, the club not only failed to win but also scored just 1 goal.
Additionally, Nottingham Forest failed to score in 4 of their last 7 home Premier League matches, scored once in two, and only managed two goals against Leicester, who were relegated to the Championship. Brentford, on the other hand, performed excellently away from home in the second half of last season and conceded more than one goal only once in their last 11 away matches, against Newcastle.
My prediction – Nottingham Forest individual total under 1.5
