Nottingham Forest FC vs Brentford FC, Premier League 2022-2023, Today Match Prediction

Nottingham Forest FC vs Brentford FC Match Prediction & Analysis

While it was asking a lot for Nottingham Forest to perform well against Liverpool and Arsenal in quick succession, manager Steve Cooper would have hoped for better than a 5-0 defeat to the Gunners.

Three points against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool was a great achievement but across the whole season you would have to say that they have not been good enough.

Forest remain just three points away from safety, although you would back the teams ahead of them, such as Leicester, Villa and Southampton, to collect more points right now.

Brentford are also struggling to find victories right now, with just one from their last six in the league. Thomas Frank’s men have enjoyed a solid season to date, largely thanks to their early season form. 

In this latest run of form have been heavy defeats to the likes of Newcastle and Aston Villa, with a combined nine goals conceded during those two games.

They have a talented squad, but will want to pick up another win before too long.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Nottingham Forest FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Unbeaten in their last two home games

     Will want a response after heavy Arsenal defeat

Reasons to be fearful:

     Worst goal difference in the league currently

     Star signings still not settling in the team

That stats do not paint a pretty picture for Nottingham Forest right now.

Even without that heavy Arsenal defeat last weekend, they would still have the worst goal difference in the league. 

As it stands, they have conceded 28 goals, a record low shared with Bournemouth. Having only scored eight goals – only Wolves have scored fewer – they have been poor at both ends of the pitch.

It has been widely reported just how many players they signed in the summer, and it appears that several of their bigger players just haven’t slotted in. Jesse Lingard, for example, has been poor since arriving from Manchester United.

Fixtures don’t get much easier now for Forest, with Tottenham and Crystal Palace rounding off their matches before the World Cup and with Manchester United their first game after the break.

They desperately need points here.

Star Man – Taiwo Awoniyi

The young striker will be looking to follow up on his winner over Liverpool a couple of games ago. He should have more opportunities to do so than in his team’s 5-0 thrashing by Arsenal last weekend.

Brentford FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful

     Have scored more than twice as many goals as Forest

     League position will give them confidence

Reasons to be fearful

     Missing Ivan Toney through suspension

     Winless in their last three

Brentford’s manager Thomas Frank may need to consider a change of tactics here, with the team missing star striker Ivan Toney through suspension.

Toney has been a revelation for Brentford this season, scoring a high proportion of their goals so far. It has contributed to his team scoring more than twice as many goals as Forest so far this campaign.

Despite going winless from their last three matches, they remain in a solid 11th position in the league, ahead of the likes of Everton, West Ham and Aston Villa.

They must feel that this is a prime opportunity to claim three points here, against a team struggling at both ends of the pitch. 

Their final game before the World Cup, next weekend, is against Manchester City. This is arguably their last chance of winning before the break.

Star Man – Yoane Wissa

The options without Ivan Toney look a little short on goals for Brentford. Wissa is arguably their best route to goal in Toney’s place and has the pace and power to trouble Forest.