Nottingham Forest vs Brentford predictions: Low expectations for City Ground opener
Steve Palmer
Both of last season’s meetings were won 2-0 by the visiting side
Brentford have a win and two draws from three Premier League trips to the City Ground
Recommended bet: Under 1.5 Goals
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has warned that his Nottingham Forest side are "very, very far" from being ready for the new Premier League season, which should be music to the ears of City Ground visitors Brentford.
It has been a poor pre-season for Forest and a quiet transfer window, however Brentford are also going into the new campaign minus two of last term's stars, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa.
The latest Nottingham Forest vs Brentford odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Nuno is set in a 4-2-3-1 mindset, though might be tempted to field Igor Jesus alongside Chris Wood up front.
Dan Ndoye is a like-for-like replacement for Anthony Elanga and will slot in on the right-hand side of attack.
New Bees boss Keith Andrews has confirmed striker Wissa will not be involved as he seeks a move away from the Gtech Community Stadium.
New goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and forward Kevin Schade are major doubts, while Vitaly Janelt and Gustavo Nunes are definitely ruled out.
The stats
Forest have failed to score in six of their seven pre-season matches and have not won any of their last seven season openers.
Eleven of Forest's 38 league games last term produced one goal or less, only Everton had more.
A massive 76 per cent of Brentford's goals last season were scored by Mbeumo (sold), Wissa (unavailable) and Schade (major doubt).
Chris Wood scored a league-high 34 per cent of his Forest's goals last season (20 out of 58).
Since the turn of the year the Bees have won more games (7) and points (23) on the road than any other side
The latest Nottingham Forest vs Brentford odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
There are plenty of grounds for thinking this clash at the City Ground will be short of goals.
Forest have managed to score just one goal across seven pre-season games and were not the most high-scoring last term, despite securing a place in the Europa League.
The Bees finished the season strongly, at least away from home, but the man who masterminded that – boss Thomas Frank – has left the club, as has 20-goal Mbeumo.
Wissa – who netted 19 – is also not playing because of uncertainty over his future and even 11-goal Schade is a doubt.
Forest boss Nuno says he is worried that his team are not season-ready yet, but it appears the visitors might well be in the same boat.
Under 2.5 goals is 3/4 with LiveScoreBet, but why not consider the riskier under 1.5 goals. If ever there was a game which merited it, it is this one.
