Can Nottingham Forest upset Brentford’s advantage?

A gap in the table

Brentford sit sixth in the Premier League with 11 points from eight matches, while Nottingham Forest are 18th on six. The standings make the London side clear favourites, but Forest have a recent head-to-head record that offers a reason to believe they can trouble them at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday.

Brentford have taken two wins, five draws and one defeat so far. Forest have won once, drawn three times and lost four. A home victory would strengthen Brentford’s position in the upper half; for Forest, points would help ease pressure near the bottom.

Brentford carry more threat

The hosts have scored nine goals in their last five matches, compared with Forest’s four, although both sides have conceded seven over that spell. Brentford’s season return is 14 goals, more than twice Forest’s six.

Brentford have also been notably more secure at home, conceding three goals in four league games there. Forest have scored six in four away matches, but have conceded seven on the road. That gives the visitors a possible route into the game, while their recent scoring output remains a concern.

Forest’s recent edge

Forest have won three of the last five meetings, including a 2-0 victory at Brentford in January. They also won 3-1 at home in August 2025. Brentford’s two wins in that sequence came in January 2024 and May 2025, both away from home.

That record warns against treating the league positions as the whole story. Forest have shown they can make this matchup uncomfortable for Brentford, even if the hosts arrive with the better season numbers.

Absences on both sides

Brentford will be without F. Carvalho, K. Furo, R. Henry and Y. Yarmolyuk. J. Dasilva and A. Milambo are questionable. Forest are missing Igor Jesus, D. Ndoye and N. Savona, while N. Dominguez is questionable.

The attacking balance

Brentford’s nine goals across their last five matches point to a side with more recent attacking momentum. Forest’s four in the same span underline the challenge facing the visitors, who will need to make the most of their opportunities if they are to repeat their recent success in this fixture.

Our prediction

Forest’s head-to-head wins make them a credible threat, but Brentford’s stronger scoring record and home defensive numbers give the hosts the advantage. PreviaXI’s model also leans towards Brentford, with a narrow victory the likeliest outcome.

Brentford 2-1 Nottingham Forest