Rob Eddy picks out his two best bets for Sunday's Premier League clash at the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest have made a pretty bright start to the Premier League season and that campaign was highlighted by a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Steve Cooper’s side have certainly shown enough to suggest that they can steer clear of relegation danger, but Brentford may have emerged as unlikely drop zone candidates.
The Bees travel to the City Ground on Sunday on the back of three straight defeats and with only one win in all competitions this term.
Ivan Toney is looking a big miss for Thomas Frank’s side and the west Londoners need to start collecting victories, although they will be without Mikkel Damsgaard, Kevin Schade, Rico Henry, Ben Mee, Shandon Baptiste and Josh Dasilva on Sunday.
Forest can maintain positive home vibes
Forest were beaten 2-0 at Man City last time out, but the Tricky Trees competed fairly well in that contest and Cooper’s men appear a side on the upgrade.
Forest have adopted a progressive and entertaining style under the Welshman and they have played their part in all of their Premier League contests this season.
The Nottingham outfit won at Stamford Bridge, they beat Sheffield United, and took a point against Burnley, while defeats to Arsenal and Manchester United were narrow single-goal margin reversals, where Forest could easily have taken at least a draw.
All three of Forest’s defeats have come on the road, while they are unbeaten in two games so far at the City Ground, where they won 30 of their 38 points last season.
Brentford haven’t got to last season’s level this term and a win at Fulham is the only victory the Bees have managed this campaign. Injuries to Henry and Mee have had a significant impact on Brentford’s defence, and without Ivan Toney, goals are lacking too.
Frank’s men were beaten by Newcastle and Everton in the top flight and they were then dumped out of the EFL Cup by Arsenal.
Two of those defeats came in west London, where Brentford were extremely strong last term, and it has to be a major concern that the Bees have been so easy to roll over in the early stages of the campaign.
Goals could be a struggle
Brentford have scored only five goals in their last six games and four of those matches have failed to eclipse the 2.5-goal mark.
There is a little bit of pressure building in west London, and it would be no surprise if Frank decides to adopt a more pragmatic approach, with wins now something of a necessity.
Forest’s defence kept a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, they only allowed two goals and five shots on their goal at the Etihad when taking on the rampant Manchester City and all of their last four matches have featured fewer than three goals.
Backing under 2.5 goals looks the play at the City Ground.
Tips
Forest to win @ 7/4
Under 2.5 goals @ 3/4
