Nottingham Forest vs Brentford 2025/26 Premier League Bet Builder & Predictions
The Nottingham Forest vs Brentford clash at the City Ground on Saturday afternoon opens the campaign for two sides who both reshaped over the summer. Forest have retooled their attack, while Brentford enter a new era without Bryan Mbeumo but with fresh legs in key areas. Our football betting expert is recommending Both Teams To Score, over 2.5 goals and Brentford Draw No Bet.
Forest’s rebuild has centred on pace and penalty-box presence. Anthony Elanga’s sale has been offset by the arrivals of Dan Ndoye from Bologna and Brazilian duo Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha from Botafogo, adding direct running and penalty-area movement to a side that often relied on moments from Morgan Gibbs-White last term.
There are fitness considerations, though: Nicolas Dominguez faces a lengthy absence after knee surgery, and Ola Aina has been monitored for muscle tightness this week.
Even so, the City Ground has typically provided a platform; Forest’s better results last season came on Trentside, and their friendly programme featured a clean sheet against Fiorentina, a comeback draw with Leicester and a sharp counter-attacking win at West Ham that hinted at a more vertical approach.
Brentford’s window has been defined by significant churn but smart recruitment. Mbeumo’s departure to Manchester United removes a major source of goals and creativity, while Christian Nørgaard and Mark Flekken have also moved on. In response, the Bees have added ball-carrying quality and youth in Antoni Milambo, athleticism and width with right-back Michael Kayode, plus a high-calibre goalkeeper in Caoimhín Kelleher. Jordan Henderson’s arrival brings leadership and control to midfield.
The team news is mixed: Vitaly Janelt is sidelined, Kevin Schade and Ethan Pinnock were listed as doubts in the run-up, and Kelleher has been assessed after a minor knock, but the overall picture still points to a Brentford side capable of playing front-foot football. Their summer friendlies were lively affairs, with goals in both directions, which fits Thomas Frank’s willingness to trade space for chances when the game state demands it.
Last season’s head-to-head offered an unusual quirk: each fixture finished 2-0 to the away side. More broadly, the recent sample between these clubs leans slightly Brentford’s way, and stylistically this tends to be a matchup where transitions and set pieces matter.
Forest’s new forwards should ensure they carry more consistent threat in behind, while Brentford’s structure and wide rotations still generate shots even without Mbeumo. With early-season rust and reshaped XIs on both sides, chances at either end feel more likely than a cagey curtain-raiser.
Both Teams To Score (10/11)
Research: Transfers and team news point to an open contest. Forest have injected speed and penalty-box presence with Ndoye and Igor Jesus, while Brentford’s pre-season suggested they will still create a steady clip of chances through wide overloads and second balls, even post-Mbeumo. Defensive doubts on both sides ahead of the opener (Forest’s full-back availability and Brentford’s possible changes at centre-half/keeper) further tilt this towards BTTS.
Over 2.5 Goals (6/5)
Research: Opening weekends often bring stretched games, and these two carry profiles that can escalate once the first goal lands. Brentford’s summer schedule produced scorelines with multiple goals and a high volume of attempts; Forest’s friendlies showed they are more direct and willing to commit runners beyond the ball. With set-piece threat on both sides and the likelihood of transition moments, the 2.5 line is attractively priced.
Brentford Draw No Bet (10/11)
Research: The away side have had the better of this matchup in recent seasons and typically manage game states well under Thomas Frank. Even without Mbeumo, the Bees’ structure, pressing triggers and delivery from wide areas should translate, while the additions of Kayode and Milambo add thrust. Forest’s new-look attack can trouble them, but the insurance of Draw No Bet covers a stalemate while siding with the team likelier to control territory and shot quality across 90 minutes.
Conclusion: Nottingham Forest vs Brentford Bet Builder
To summarise, here are our football betting tips for Nottingham Forest vs Brentford:
Both Teams To Score (10/11): Attacking upgrades for Forest and Brentford’s chance creation suggest goals at both ends.
Over 2.5 Goals (6/5): Game state and stylistic matchup favour a higher-total opener.
Brentford Draw No Bet (10/11): Recent H2H trend and stronger game management support the away side with cover for a draw.
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