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Brentford vs Nottingham Forest Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction Dec 21, 2024

These are two teams who have enjoyed an incredible season by their own metrics. They are both (at the time of writing) in the top half of the league going into Christmas. They have played some incredible football this season and continue to find success by buying into their system and style of play. SportsBoom unpacks this encounter, complete with our early betting suggestions and predictions for you to maximise with your favourite football betting sportsbooks.

Ryan Liberty
Ryan Liberty

Last Updated: 2024-12-17

Chad Nagel
Brentford manager Thomas Frank

Thomas Frank//Getty Images

Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability: An Evenly Poised Affair Awaits!

  1. Home: 11/10 (2.1) – 44%

  2. Draw: 53/20 (3.65) – 26%

  3. Away: 21/10 (3.1) – 30%

Head-To-Head Record

Last five meetings (Premier League)

  1. 20/01/2024: Brentford 3–1 Nottingham Forest

  2. 01/10/2023: Nottingham Forest 1–1 Brentford

  3. 29/04/2023: Brentford 2–1 Nottingham Forest

  4. 05/11/2022: Nottingham Forest 2–2 Brentford 

  5. 20/03/2021: Brentford 1–1 Nottingham Forest

Brentford Current Form – WDWLW

We cannot celebrate enough the job Thomas Franks has done at Brentford. The evolution of their team, the implementation of a robust and consistent style of play, and the total growth of the club in the Premier League has been incredible. 

The only concern we have for the Bees is that are brilliant at home and useless on the road. Their shape and approach don’t change though, so we’re not sure what it is, to be honest…

Luck enough for them, punters and everyone engaged in Premier League betting, this is at home!

Key Players to Watch

  • Yoane Wissa: Wissa is Brentford’s top scorer this season with nine goals scored. He has been incredible in front of goal for the Bees, but it isn’t just his finishing which earns him a spot on our ‘key players to watch’ list – it’s his movement off the ball and the aggression with which he sets off their press!
  • Bryan Mbeumo: The most consistent player for Brentford on an array of metrics and comparable data. He has 11 goals and assists combination and boasts a massive 4.3 expected goals rate every 90 minutes. 
    One of Brentford’s most creative and versatile attacking options – Mbeumo is certainly one to watch here.
  • Mikkel Damsgaard: Another highly underrated player in the league, his creativity for Brentford has been on another level. When you consider the chances he creates, goals he assists and defensive contributions he has out of possession, Damsgaard will be another one to watch.

Brentford Team News

Aaron Hickey (hamstring strain), Gustavo Nunes (back injury), Josh Da Silva (knee injury), Mathia Jensen (hamstring injury), Rico Henry (knee injury) and Vitaly Janelt (unknown) are all sidelined by injury for Thomas Frank’s side.

Nottingham Forest Current Form – LLWLW

At what point do we consider Forest to be European contenders? Oh, you do already? Perfect! 

They are another side who we tend to get behind with a bit more vigour and verve when they play at home, but considering their more recent trips on the road, they have earned some really positive results. 

They are a side very comfortable on the counterattack, and whether they dominate possession of the football or not is largely irrelevant to them. This really is a game of like-minded approaches…but who comes out on top then?

Key Players to Watch

  • Morgan Gibbs-White: The talented midfielder continues to showcase his class and attacking edge for Forest. He isn’t shy to go forward for his side and has found the back of the net on a number of occasions. This is a player the Bees will be hoping to keep quiet.
  • Chris Wood: What a season Chris Wood is having! The New Zealand international is currently having the season of his life, scoring goals at will for Forest, but more importantly, having a hand in ensuring his side earns valuable points in the league. 
  • Callum Hudson-Odoi: The former Chelsea winger has found some much-needed form in the league and is enjoying good game time at Forest. He is a dynamic player who with a combination of pace and skill can hurt the shape of his opponent and disrupt their defensive setup. We think he could have a big say on Saturday. 

Nottingham Forest Team News

Danilo Oliveira (broken ankle) and Ibrahim Sangare (thigh injury) are injury concerns for this fixture.

Predicted Line-Up

  1. Brentford: 3-4-1-2

    Flekken, Pinnock, Collins, van den Berg, Damsgaard, Nørgaard, Yarmoliuk, Mbeumo, Carvalho, Thiago, Wissa.

  2. Nottingham Forest: 4-2-3-1

    Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams, Anderson, Yates, Silva, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Wood.

Suggested Bets

How we see this encounter unfolding, along with the best odds from top bookmakers for Premier League betting…

  1. Brentford Win: The Bees have really enjoyed playing at home, they will look to boss possession of the ball and take the game to Forest. They have the attacking options to seriously threaten their visitors and we think they claim all three points here.  11/10 (2.1) with 1xBet and Betway

  2. Both Teams to Score: When two teams meet each other and they both seemingly prioritize one simple thing…attacking football, there can only be one outcome. Back both teams to score. 6/10 (1.6) with Betway and 1xBet

  3. Over 2.5 Goals: Following on then from the above thoughts, backing over 2.5 goals in this encounter offers incredible value and enough certainty to make it onto those weekend betting slips! 18/25 (1.72) with Betway and 1xBet

Value Bets

  1. Brentford Totals – Over 1.5: Given the quality Brentford have upfront, we are backing them to get onto the scoresheet a few times in this encounter. Back them to score over 1.5 goals. 19/20 (1.95) with BetWinner and Betway

  2. Both Halves Over 1.5 Goals: What might at this point seem repetitive, we are truly all in on an exciting and open affair. Back both halves to see over 1.5 goals at exceptional value.  7/2 (4.5) with Betway and BetWinner.

  3. Both Teams to Score + Over 2.5 Goals: Finishing off strong, back both teams to score and over 2.5 at 1/1 (2.0) with Betway and 1xBet

Prediction: Brentford Win 

There isn’t much to separate between these two teams, their attacking commitment, their fearless approach and the fact that they have both come into the league and achieved some really impressive results. 

For us, Brentford at home is usually the way to go and at this point, there isn’t much to suggest otherwise – back the Bees!

Ryan Liberty
Ryan LibertySports Writer

Ryan Liberty is an experienced sports writer whose articles have featured in some of the biggest sports publications in South Africa. With a strong understanding of all major sports and an in-depth understanding of betting, Ryan consistently delivers insightful content. He's also known for his ability to break down complex topics into engaging, reader-friendly pieces.