Brentford vs Nottingham Forest Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, Sunday, 25 January

Brentford host Nottingham Forest in a Premier League clash at the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday, 25 January. This encounter promises to be intriguing as both teams aim to strengthen their league positions. Brentford, renowned for their strong home performances, will look to make the most of their familiarity with the Gtech Community Stadium and secure a vital three points.

Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, will be determined to challenge Brentford’s home advantage and pick up crucial points in their Premier League campaign. The significance of this match lies in its potential impact on the standings, with both teams striving to climb the table. Fans can expect a competitive and tactical battle as these two English sides meet on the pitch.

Brentford vs Nottingham Forest Prediction & Betting Tip

Betting Tip	Odds
More than 2.5 goals in the first half	8

Given Brentford’s high-energy starts and Nottingham Forest’s defensive gaps in the early stages, betting on over 2.5 goals in the first half looks promising. Both teams have shown a tendency for early goals, making this a compelling option for this fixture.

• Brentford’s aggressive early play and Nottingham Forest’s defensive vulnerabilities create ideal conditions for early goals.
• Recent matches for both teams indicate a high probability of quick, early goals, with both sides committing players forward.
• Referee Samuel Barrott’s average of 3.9 yellow cards per game suggests a potentially open and aggressive first half, further supporting the likelihood of multiple goals.

Betting Odds

Brentford enter this Premier League clash as favourites, with the match odds reflecting their strong home form. Nottingham Forest, however, should not be underestimated, especially given their ability to spring surprises on the road.

Betting Tip	Odds
Brentford to win	1.91
Draw	3.48
Nottingham Forest to win	4.09

For those looking to place a bet, the odds for a draw are quite appealing, and with both teams having a history of close encounters, it might be worth considering. Additionally, the over 2.5 goals market could offer value, given the attacking intent both sides have displayed in recent fixtures.

Brentford Analysis & Past Performance

Brentford’s recent form has been relatively strong, with three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five games. The Bees recorded an impressive 2-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup, showcasing their ability to perform in knockout competitions. However, their recent 0-2 defeat at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea highlighted some defensive vulnerabilities when facing top-tier opponents.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Chelsea	Brentford	2 – 0 (Loss)	Premier League	17 Jan 2026
Sheffield Wednesday	Brentford	0 – 2 (Win)	FA Cup	10 Jan 2026
Brentford	Sunderland	3 – 0 (Win)	Premier League	7 Jan 2026
Everton	Brentford	2 – 4 (Win)	Premier League	4 Jan 2026
Brentford	Tottenham	0 – 0 (Draw)	Premier League	1 Jan 2026

Recent Form:
Brentford’s attacking prowess has been evident, averaging 2.20 goals per game in their last five outings. They have netted a total of 11 goals, with Igor Thiago leading the line as top scorer with 16 goals this season. Defensively, they have kept two clean sheets in the same period, indicating a solid backline when focused. Nevertheless, the team has conceded an average of 1.00 goals per game, suggesting areas for improvement against stronger attacking sides.

Home Performance:

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At the Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford have been formidable, remaining unbeaten in their last five home fixtures with three wins and two draws. This strong home form is reflected in their impressive 60% win ratio, consistently delivering robust performances. Their home defensive record is also commendable, with three clean sheets in their last five matches, underlining their ability to maintain composure with home advantage.

Brentford Suspensions & Injuries

Brentford face a few significant injury concerns ahead of the match against Nottingham Forest. Notably, Joshua Da Silva is sidelined following knee surgery, with an expected return in late February 2026. His absence in midfield could impact Brentford’s ability to control the tempo, and coach Keith Andrews may rely more heavily on Mathias Jensen and Vitaly Janelt to step up creatively.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Antoni Milambo	Cruciate ligament injury	Mid August 2026
Joshua Da Silva	Knee surgery	Late February 2026
Fabio Carvalho	Cruciate ligament injury	Out for season
Jordan Henderson	Ankle injury	Doubtful

Antoni Milambo and Fabio Carvalho are long-term absentees, both suffering from cruciate ligament injuries. While Milambo’s return is anticipated in mid-August 2026, Carvalho is out for the season, affecting attacking depth. The team will need to depend on Kevin Schade and Igor Thiago to maintain their offensive threat.

Jordan Henderson’s ankle injury casts doubt over his participation, potentially limiting Brentford’s options in defensive midfield. This could prompt tactical adjustments, such as deploying a double pivot with Janelt and Jensen, to ensure defensive solidity against a competitive Nottingham Forest side.

Brentford Key Players

Leading the line for Brentford is their top scorer, Igor Thiago, who has impressively netted 16 goals this season. Thiago’s clinical finishing and ability to exploit defensive weaknesses make him a constant threat to Nottingham Forest’s backline. His presence as the spearhead in Brentford’s attack provides a focal point for their offensive efforts, often capitalising on creative support from midfield.

In midfield, Mathias Jensen and Mikkel Damsgaard play crucial roles. Jensen’s vision and passing range allow him to dictate the tempo, while Damsgaard’s agility and dribbling add dynamism to Brentford’s play. Vitaly Janelt’s defensive capabilities provide the necessary balance, ensuring solidity in the centre of the park. Defensively, Kristoffer Vassbakk Ajer stands out with his aerial prowess and composure, which are crucial for maintaining Brentford’s defensive structure.

Expected lineup for Brentford

• Goalkeeper: Caoimhin Kelleher
• Defence: Michael Kayode, Kristoffer Vassbakk Ajer, Nathan Collins, Rico Henry
• Midfield: Yehor Yarmoliuk, Vitaly Janelt, Mathias Jensen, Mikkel Damsgaard, Kevin Schade
• Forward: Igor Thiago

The tactical implications of these key players are significant for Brentford. With Igor Thiago leading the line, supported by a creative and resilient midfield, Brentford can adopt a balanced approach, combining attacking flair with defensive robustness. This blend of strengths could prove pivotal in overcoming Nottingham Forest’s challenges.

Brentford Tactics and Formation

Brentford Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Igor Thiago
• Midfield Pivot: Vitaly Janelt and Mathias Jensen
• Defensive Strength: Three clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: High pressing with quick counterattacks.

Brentford are likely to continue with their 4-2-3-1 formation, which has provided a stable structure both offensively and defensively. The midfield pairing of Vitaly Janelt and Mathias Jensen is central to their strategy, offering a blend of defensive cover and creative distribution. In the absence of key players such as Jordan Henderson, their roles become even more crucial.

Defensively, Brentford’s back four—Michael Kayode, Kristoffer Vassbakk Ajer, Nathan Collins, and Rico Henry—have been effective in maintaining clean sheets, with three in their last five matches. Caoimhin Kelleher’s presence in goal has been a stabilising factor, enabling them to build from the back with confidence.

Offensively, Igor Thiago is the focal point in attack, supported by the creative talents of Mikkel Damsgaard and Kevin Schade. Brentford’s approach often involves high pressing to regain possession and launch swift counterattacks, capitalising on the speed and technical ability of their forward line.

Nottingham Forest Analysis & Past Performance

Nottingham Forest’s recent form has been inconsistent, as reflected in their last five matches: one win, three losses, and one draw. Their latest outing was a narrow 0-1 defeat against Braga in the Europa League, highlighting ongoing struggles to convert chances into goals.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Braga	Nottingham Forest	1 – 0 (Loss)	Europa League	22 Jan 2026
Nottingham Forest	Arsenal	0 – 0 (Draw)	Premier League	17 Jan 2026
Wrexham	Nottingham Forest	N/A	FA Cup	9 Jan 2026
West Ham	Nottingham Forest	1 – 2 (Win)	Premier League	6 Jan 2026
Aston Villa	Nottingham Forest	3 – 1 (Loss)	Premier League	3 Jan 2026

Recent Form:
Offensively, Nottingham Forest have averaged 1.80 goals per game over the last five fixtures, scoring a total of nine goals. However, defensive frailties are evident, with the team conceding 12 goals in the same period. Their defence has managed just one clean sheet, contributing to their current fight to climb out of 17th place in the league, with a precarious 22 points.

Away from home, Nottingham Forest’s form is notably weaker, with just one victory in their last five away matches. Their away win ratio stands at a concerning 20%, having lost four of those encounters. This points to a significant challenge on the road, as they have struggled to maintain defensive solidity, conceding an average of 1.80 goals per away game.

Key player Morgan Gibbs-White remains a pivotal figure in their attack, having scored five goals this season. Despite his efforts, the team’s inability to consistently find the back of the net and secure wins suggests a need for tactical adjustments, particularly in tightening their defensive approach and improving their conversion rate in attack.

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Nottingham Forest Suspensions & Injuries

Nottingham Forest face a couple of injury challenges ahead of their Premier League fixture against Brentford. The absence of Chris Wood due to a knee injury, with an expected return in early February 2026, is a notable setback given his potential impact up front. Additionally, John Victor is sidelined with a knee injury, projected to return by late February 2026. These absences could limit Forest’s attacking depth and flexibility, requiring tactical adjustments from manager Sean Dyche.

With Chris Wood out, Nottingham Forest may rely more heavily on Igor Jesus, who leads the line in their current setup. The team might also consider integrating Morgan Gibbs-White more centrally to compensate for the missing firepower. This could see Callum Hudson-Odoi playing a more advanced role, potentially shifting the dynamic of their attacking strategy.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Chris Wood	Knee injury	Early February 2026
John Victor	Knee injury	Late February 2026

Despite these injury concerns, Nottingham Forest’s core lineup remains largely intact, maintaining stability in their defensive and midfield units. The team will need to adapt their attacking strategies but can still field a competitive squad to challenge Brentford. These injuries, however, might influence betting markets, as Forest’s diminished attacking options could affect their goal-scoring potential.

Nottingham Forest Key Players

Morgan Gibbs-White stands out as Nottingham Forest’s top scorer with five goals this season, playing a pivotal role in their attacking strategy. His ability to find space and create opportunities makes him a constant threat to opposing defences. Positioned in midfield, Gibbs-White’s creativity and vision are essential for orchestrating play and providing service to the forward line.

In midfield, Nicolás Domínguez and Ibrahim Sangaré are expected to be influential. Domínguez’s dynamic playmaking skills complement Sangaré’s robust defensive presence, creating a balanced midfield that can both disrupt Brentford’s attacks and initiate counter-movements. Meanwhile, Callum Hudson-Odoi’s pace and dribbling on the wings could exploit any defensive gaps, providing additional width to Forest’s attack.

Expected lineup for Nottingham Forest

• Goalkeeper: Matz Sels
• Defence: Ola Aina, Nikola Milenković, Murillo, Neco Williams
• Midfield: Ibrahim Sangaré, Elliot Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Morgan Gibbs-White, Nicolás Domínguez
• Forward: Igor Jesus

Defensively, Nikola Milenković’s leadership at the back is crucial, with his aerial prowess and tactical awareness providing stability. Alongside him, Murillo’s tackling and positional sense are vital in maintaining a solid defensive line. The interplay between these key players is likely to shape Nottingham Forest’s tactical approach, focusing on a strong defensive setup while leveraging quick transitions in attack.

Nottingham Forest Tactics and Formation

Nottingham Forest Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Igor Jesus
• Midfield Pivot: Ibrahim Sangaré and Elliot Anderson
• Defensive Strength: One clean sheet in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Focus on solid defensive structure and quick transitions.

In their upcoming match, Nottingham Forest are expected to stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation under Sean Dyche. This setup allows for a balanced approach, with Ibrahim Sangaré and Elliot Anderson anchoring the midfield. They provide both defensive cover and support to the attacking trio of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Nicolás Domínguez.

Defensively, the combination of Ola Aina and Neco Williams as full-backs, alongside Nikola Milenković and Murillo in central defence, aims to provide stability. This setup was crucial in achieving a clean sheet against Arsenal recently, despite overall struggles in maintaining defensive solidity.

Offensively, Morgan Gibbs-White, Nottingham Forest’s top scorer, is pivotal in linking play and creating opportunities. The team’s strategy often revolves around quick transitions and utilising the pace of their wide players, although their recent form has seen them struggle to convert chances consistently.

Brentford vs Nottingham Forest Head-to-Head Record

Brentford and Nottingham Forest have faced each other 26 times, with Brentford winning 12, Forest 9, and 5 matches ending in a draw. In their most recent encounter, Forest secured a 3-1 victory at home in the Premier League. This fixture has often produced tight contests, with both teams showing the ability to edge out wins.

The last time Brentford hosted Nottingham Forest at the Gtech Community Stadium, it ended in a narrow 3-2 win for the Bees. Brentford have generally been strong at home in this matchup, but Forest’s recent away win in December 2024 shows they are capable of upsetting the odds.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Nottingham Forest	Brentford	3 – 1	Premier League	2025-08-17
Nottingham Forest	Brentford	0 – 2	Premier League	2025-05-01
Brentford	Nottingham Forest	0 – 2	Premier League	2024-12-21
Brentford	Nottingham Forest	3 – 2	Premier League	2024-01-20
Nottingham Forest	Brentford	1 – 1	Premier League	2023-10-01