England Premier League
Saturday 20th January 2024
Kick off at 5:30pm GMT
Venue: Brentford Community Stadium
Match Preview:
The focus here will be on one man and that is the returning Ivan Toney for Brentford who has been suspended for the past 8 months due to being charged on gambling offences. Toney has even been linked with a surprise move away this month but for now there will be a feeling of repaying a debt to a club who have stuck by him. Could this then be a memorable afternoon where Toney comes out the hero? Brentford needs him to be just that and his return could be perfect timing given that the club has lost their last five games in a row and fell to 16th place. The Bees are only 3 points from the bottom three and nothing is assured for them and in their last game they lost 3-1 against the out of form Crystal Palace so there is much work to be done. Thomas Frank’s side will want to forget their last home game which finished in a 4-1 loss against Wolves. However they did manage to beat Wolves in the FA Cup after a replay with a 3-2 victory.
Nottingham Forest are one place ahead of their hosts and one point ahead. It’s not been a good week for them after the club were charged by the FA for breaching FFP rules. Their hearing will not be until April but they face a points deduction, in short this means that the club need to make sure they are safe and with a gap by the time the findings are revealed. Recent form has been good under new manager Nuno Espirto Santo with two wins in a row and over quality opposition in Newcastle and Manchester United. However the danger is still there and the club needs to push on. In the FA Cup it took a replay but Forest eventually got past Blackpool winning 3-2 after the first game which finished in a 2-2 draw.
Team News:
Brentford: Saman Ghoddos, Kim Ji-Soo, Frank Onyeka and Yoane Wissa are all on international duty. Christian Norgaard will be assessed for an Achilles injury. Bryan Mbeumo is out for two months due to an ankle injury. Aaron Hickey and Kevin Schade remain out long term and Rico Henry is out for the season with a knee injury.
Nottingham Forest: Serge Aurier, Ola Aina, Willy Boly, Ibrahim Sangare, Chiekhou Kouyate and Moussa Niakhate are all unavailable due to being on international duty. Divock Origi will be assessed for a knock as will Anthony Elanga. Felipe is a doubt with his hamstring. Taiwo Awoniyi was due back for this game but remains a doubt with a groin injury.
Brentford vs Nottm Forest Head to Head:
Last season Brentford won this fixture 2-1.
It’s been 4 years since Nottingham Forest were able to beat Brentford.
The last five meetings have all seen both teams to score.
Brentford vs Nottm Forest Prediction:
Mid-season international tournaments have affected this fixture and we expect to see a toned down game despite what is at stake with these two sides so close to each other in the league. Between them an incredible 10 players will be missing although Forest will be suffering more. On form Forest are the team to go for but you get the feeling that after beating Newcastle and Manchester United the momentum was there for Santo’s side and they would have wanted more games not a mini break.
There will be a buzz for Brentford with Toney back and an expectation, their form has been poor but they can turn this around and start to win games against a side who have struggled to beat them in recent years, we will be backing for a home win and inevitably to see than man Toney get back on the score sheet.
Brentford vs Nottm Forest Betting Tips:
Brentford to beat Nottingham Forest at 1.91
Anytime goalscorer: Ivan Toney at 2.10
Half Time Correct Score: 0-0 or 1-0 to Brentford at 3.00 and 4.00
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