Relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest will hit the road to square up against ninth-placed Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Brentford, who returned to winning ways last time around, are all set to host 17th-placed Nottingham Forest. Both the teams had been struggling to register a win in the league over the past few weeks. But they grabbed three points earlier this week and are heading into this fixture on the back of a win.
The Bees pulled off a surprise victory against Chelsea last time out. Despite having only one shot on target and limited possession. An own goal gave them the lead and Bryan Mbeumo managed to add to it. They managed to hold off the star-studded Chelsea attack to win 2-0.
The victory ended their six-game winless run. Brentford have had a relatively successful season compared to their debut Premier League campaign. They have endured a sticky spell in recent weeks but have managed to pick up points at home, losing only one of their last 12 home league games.
The Bees have suffered only two defeats in 16 Premier League matches at home, recording seven wins and seven draws along the way. They will be confident of achieving another positive result against relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, given their strong home form.
The Tricky Trees’ win over Brighton was a much-needed boost for the team after enduring a dismal run of 11 league matches without a victory. Nottingham Forest have only won seven of their 33 Premier League games this season, and six of those victories have been at home. This puts them in a precarious position as they fight to avoid relegation.
One of the major issues for the visitors this season has been their poor form on the road. They have the worst away record in the league, having taken just six points out of a possible 48.
In 16 away league outings this term, they have scored only seven goals. Therefore, Steve Cooper’s men must improve their performance on the road if they are to survive the drop. Forest must remain focused and disciplined if they hope to secure vital points and retain their Premier League status for another season.
In the reverse fixture, Nottingham Forest managed to hold off Brentford to a 2-2 draw. However, they will have to push for a win this time as they look to survive in the English top flight. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both the teams and the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Brentford
🥰 You are tomorrow's cover stars pic.twitter.com/yvOPcI6IXG
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) April 28, 2023
The home team will be without the services of Pontus Jansson, Keane Lewis-Potter, Christian Norgaard and Thomas Strakosha. Meanwhile, Kristoffer Ajer’s recovery is going according to plan, and he could return to the first team in the near future.
Brentford are likely to start with the 4-3-3 formation, where David Raya will be in goal. Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry should start out wide as the full-backs. Meanwhile, Ben Mee and Ethan Pinnock will start as the centre-back pairing.
In the centre of the park, Vitaly Janelt and Mathias Jensen will pair up with Frank Onyeka. The trio will look to dictate the pace of the game and force the visitors onto the back foot. 19-goal Premier League star Ivan Toney will be leading the line and will have the support of Bryan Mbeumo and Kevin Schade from the flanks as Brentford look to continue their good run in the league.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Hickey, Pinnock, Mee, Henry; Jensen, Onyeka, Janelt; Mbeumo, Toney, Schade
Nottingham Forest
Steve Cooper will be without the services of quite a few first-team players. Scott McKenna, Willy Boly, Giulian Biancone, Omar Richards, Dean Henderson, Chris Wood, Ryan Yates, Gustavo Scarpa, and Jack Colback are all out injured.
Two worldies in West London 🚀
⏪ #BRENFO pic.twitter.com/nR0sDmwJYj
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 28, 2023
Moussa Niakhate and Neco Williams are the two latest additions to their long list of injuries. However, they do have a boost as Serge Aurier and Cheikhou Kouyate returned to the squad in their last outing.
Cooper is expected to go ahead with the 3-4-1-2 formation. Former Real Madrid star Keylor Navas will be in goal. The back three will feature Serge Aurier, Joe Worrall and Felipe. Cheikhou Kouyate could start as the full-back in the absence of Neco Williams alongside Renan Lodi. The duo will feature as the wing-backs. Remo Freuler will pair up with Orel Mangala in the centre of the park.
Morgan Gibbs-White will once again start in an attacking midfielder’s role. Brennan Johnson will start alongside Taiwo Awoniyi as the front two. Gibbs-White will be the main creative force while the front two will look to convert their chances and give Nottingham Forest a much-needed win.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Navas; Aurier, Felipe, Worrall; Kouyate, Freuler, Mangala, Lodi; Gibbs-White; Awoniyi, Johnson
Key Stats
- Brentford and Nottingham Forest have an even head-to-head record, each winning 13 games out of a total of 36 matches played between the two teams.
- The Bees have won only one of their last six league games against the visitors. The reverse fixture between the two earlier this season ended in a 2-2 draw.
- Nottingham Forest had a poor record away from home against Brentford, with only one victory in 12 league games. But, they have managed to win two of their last four such matches of late.
- The Tricky Trees have struggled against teams from London, losing nine of their last 11 away games in the Premier League and conceding 14 goals in their four such games this season.
- Brentford have a good record at home against newly promoted teams, winning both their matches so far this season in the Premier League.
Player to Watch
Ivan Toney
Ivan Toney has been in exceptional form for Brentford in the Premier League this season, scoring 19 goals in 31 appearances while also providing four assists. He has emerged as one of the top goalscorers in the league. And, he has played a crucial role in Brentford’s impressive campaign.
Toney’s ability to find the back of the net consistently has made him a player to watch out for. He has demonstrated his composure in front of goal, converting many of his chances into goals. And, he will be a player to keep an eye on during Brentford’s upcoming matches.
Prediction
Brentford 2-1 Nottingham Forest
Brentford will enter this match as favourites and will be looking to build on their midweek victory over Chelsea. The Bees will be motivated to continue their impressive home form and pick up another three points against a struggling Nottingham Forest side.
However, they must be wary of the visitors’ recent form and not underestimate their opponents. Nottingham Forest will be desperate for a win as they continue their fight against relegation. While they have struggled away from home this season, they will be determined to turn their fortunes around and pick up some crucial points. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 in favour of the home team.
