Nottingham Forest v Brentford predictions: Struggling pair set for tight contest

Ivan Toney absence means goals could be scarce at City Ground

Nottingham Forest defender Scott McKennaCredit: Pete Norton

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Nottingham Forest v Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.

When to bet

3pm Saturday

Best bet

One or both teams not to score
2pts 11-10 Betfred

Team news

Nottingham Forest
Moussa Niakhite, Omar Richards, Harry Toffolo and Jack Colback are sidelined and Giulian Biancone has been ruled out for the season.

Brentford
Top scorer Ivan Toney is suspended. Thomas Strakosha, Pontus Jansson and Aaron Hickey are out but Mathias Jensen and Christian Norgaard could return.

Match preview

Nottingham Forest's tough start to the Premier League season continued with a 5-0 drubbing at leaders Arsenal last weekend but their defenders should have a more comfortable 90 minutes at home to Brentford.

The City Ground has been a fortress for Forest since Steve Cooper took charge last September, as they demonstrated by beating Liverpool 1-0 in their last home fixture.

Before that win, the Tricky Trees had drawn 0-0 at Brighton and lost 1-0 at Wolves, who needed a Ruben Neves penalty to break the deadlock, so they are capable of frustrating top-flight opponents.

Brentford have hit a flat spot and their chances of a win in Nottingham are hampered by the absence of suspended striker Ivan Toney, who has scored eight of their 19 league goals this season.

Both teams have scored in only two of the Bees' last seven league outings and another cagey contest could be on the cards at the City Ground.