Brentford vs Nottingham Forest predictions: Tricky Trees to test Bees in capital clash
Jamie Griffith
Brentford’s return of 11 points from eight games means they start the weekend sixth in the Premier League
Nottingham Forest have just six points and begin this round in 18th
These teams have identical records in Premier League head-to-heads, each having three wins from eight meetings
Brentford and Nottingham Forest have enjoyed contrasting starts to the Premier League season and the expectation is the Bees sweep aside their visitors with ease in Saturday’s showdown at the Gtech Community Stadium.
However, Forest have shown some signs of life despite their lowly position and they will be unwilling to leave the capital empty-handed.
The latest Brentford vs Nottingham Forest odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Key Stats
Brentford have gone four games without a win
Nottingham Forest have lost just one of their four away matches
Five of the Bees’ last seven Premier League games have finished level
Forest are unbeaten in two visits to the Gtech Community Stadium
Both of these teams rank in the top six for expected goals in the Premier League (Brentford: 14.36; Nottingham Forest: 15.18)
Bees midfielder Vitaly Janelt has picked up a league-high six yellow cards in the Premier League
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Draw
Kevin Schade over 0.5 shots on target
Liam Delap over 1.5 fouls
Score prediction
Team News
Brentford’s Fabio Carvalho has picked up a knock and joined Rico Henry and Kaye Furo on the sidelines. The Bees will also be without suspended midfielder Yehor Yarmolyuk but Josh Dasilva and Antoni Milambo have returned to training and may make the bench.
Nicolo Savona and Igor Jesus miss out for Forest, who must also assess Dan Ndoye and Nicolas Dominguez.
Need to know
A huge 12 places separate this pair in the Premier League table, but the underlying data suggests they are far more closely matched.
Understat’s expected-points table shows where a team should be based on quality of chances created and given up - and they have Forest nine points better off than they actually are.
That xG data has Forest fourth and Brentford seventh, so expect a close-fought capital clash.
Prediction
After starting the season on fire, Brentford’s blaze has been curtailed of late.
The Bees will have been happy enough with a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa and 2-1 loss to Liverpool when reduced to 10 men, but the 1-1 draw with Hull and Carabao Cup loss at Sunderland that have extended their winless run to four games will have Keith Andrews more worried.
Nottingham Forest need to turn impressive performances into points soon and that motivation should see them put in a strong performance in the capital. With key players back and Glasner looking to have found his best team, the Tricky Trees should earn a point.
Keeping Brentford entirely quiet will prove difficult, though, especially Kevin Schade. The speedy German has managed a team-high seven shots on target this term and should get space to exploit as Daniel Munoz flies forward from right wing-back.
Forest may also have to surrender possession to Andrews’ hosts and that should only lead to plenty more fouls from relentless forward Liam Delap.
The Reds striker has committed 11 fouls in his last six appearances and may cut a frustrated figure up front again.
