Match Details
- Date: Sunday, August 17, 2025
- Kick‑off: 14:00 BST (UK) | 15:00 CET | 09:00 AM ET (USA)
- Venue: The City Ground, Nottingham
- Broadcast Channels: Sky Sports (UK), TNT Sports / Discovery+ (Europe), NBC Sports / Peacock (USA)
Head‑to‑Head & Recent Form
Forest and Brentford have met over 40 times historically, with Brentford holding a slight edge overall. At the City Ground, Forest have won 10 of 21 encounters, while Brentford have 7 wins there. Their Premier League meetings in 2024/25 ended evenly, with one win each and draws in between.
Background
Nottingham Forest, under Nuno Espirito Santo, secured a solid 7th-place finish last season and qualified for European competition. The club is undergoing a strategic evolution via smart recruitment like Murillo and potential additions such as James McAtee or Dan Ndoye to fill key gaps.
Brentford return after finishing 10th, but parted ways with long-time manager Thomas Frank. They’ve added young talent like Antoni Milambo to refresh their midfield and continue a fluid, dynamic attacking identity.
Key Players to Watch
Nottingham Forest:
- Chris Wood: Forest’s top scorer last season with 15 goals and a Premier League Player of the Month award—vital in set-pieces and finishing.
- Murillo: Brazilian centre-back who led the league in clearances and was named Forest’s player of the season with 242 clearances in 2024‑25.
Brentford:
- Bryan Mbeumo: Consistent scorer for Brentford; maintained strong output even after Toney’s departure, making him a focal point of threat.
- Antoni Milambo: Promising young Dutch midfielder brought from Feyenoord to energize the Bees’ engine room.
Tactical Preview & Score Prediction
Forest are expected to play compact and organized at home, relying on counter-attacks and aerial strength via Wood and Murillo. Brentford will look to control possession with midfield transitions and wide patterns built for Mbeumo and Milambo.
Anticipate a tight first half. Forest’s home rhythm and defensive setup should allow them to grow into the game, while Brentford’s fluidity may threaten late.
Predicted Score: Nottingham Forest 1–1 Brentford
Final Word
This fixture sets the tone for both clubs: Forest aiming to build on their European breakthrough, Brentford reshaping for a fresh challenge. Expect a lively battle at City Ground with early tactical chess matched by attacking verve.