Premier League: Five Games and Counting to make Forest Dream a Reality

Nottingham Forest vs Brentford

If Nottingham Forest are going to return to the top tier of European football for the first time since the late, great Brian Clough inspired this provincial club to back-to-back European crowns, victory at home to Brentford is surely essential.

So much has been said about Nuno Espírito Santo and his players and they deserve all the acclaim they receive.

But if they can qualify for the Champions League, just a year after finishing in 17th place in the Premier League, immediately above the relegation zone, and just three seasons after being promoted to the top flight following a 13 year-absence, it will be quite a superb achievement.

 

Talking Points

Even more so when you consider their rivals for a top five finish have been backed to the hilt and on a scale not seen before in English football with the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle enjoying riches beyond their dreams.

Don’t get me wrong, Forest have not exactly been frugal since their Premier League return, but the level they operate at is a very different market and they have recruited astutely and effectively to the degree they are on the verge of something special.

Their opponents on Thursday night have also achieved something impressive since they ended a more than 70 year absence from the top echelon of the English game.
Like his counterpart, manager Thomas Frank has overseen some memorable victories over the established giants of the English game en route to becoming a regular Premier League performer.

Since being promoted in 2021, Brentford have secured finishes of 13^th, ninth and 16^th – always comfortable and never involved in a relegation battle – and the fact they are currently ahead of both Manchester United and Spurs underlines just what a fine job boss Thomas Frank is overseeing.

Europe, though, would be something very different again and Forest are so close they can smell it.

They will have to put a massive disappointment behind them to avoid a second such setback.

That is because there is no doubt their FA Cup semi-final defeat against City on Sunday would have hurt but they can take solace from the fact they matched the dominant force in English football over the past decade and were denied by the woodwork on no fewer than three occasions.

If they can bounce back and deliver some more Premier League 2025 highlights before the City Ground faithful, this SBOTOP writer believes their dream can become a reality.

For the hosts, Neco Williams and Ryan Yates will both be available again after they were suspended for that game, while the Bees should remain largely unchanged from last time out – a 4-2 league victory over Brighton – although will be missing midfielder Vitaly Janelt who has undergone successful surgery to address a heel issue.

 

History

It was in a 1909 FA Cup tie, the second round, that these two clubs first met, resulting in a 1-0 home win in Nottingham.

Another 24 years passed before they met for the first time in a league contest, a 1-1 draw in Nottingham in Division Two.

Overall, the sides have been well matched with 14 Forest successes, one fewer than Brentford, and 11 draws.

Their first ever top flight encounter was two seasons ago, also at the City Ground, when they shared four goals as the hosts needed a last minute own goal to rescue a point after Bryan Mbeumo (penalty) and Yoane Wissa had cancelled out an opener from Morgan Gibbs-White.

This corresponding fixture last term also ended level pegging with Christan Norgaard and Nicolas Dominguez trading goals in seven second half minutes in a 1-1 draw.

Earlier this season, Forest won 2-0 at the Bees, courtesy of goals from Ola Aina and Anthony Elanga.

 

Betting Tip

Our Premier League 2025 betting odds make Forest favourites, priced 1X2 @ 2.14 and Asian Handicap -0.50, also @ 2.14.

Brentford are, by contrast, on offer 1X2 @ 3.06 and Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.01 and 0.00 @ 2.47.

A repeat of last season’s 1-1 draw will pay out @ 6.30 with Correct Score and if you fancy goals, and I do, then how about Total Goal 0-1 @ 3.37, 2-3 @ 2.00, 4-6 @ 3.12 and over 2.75 @ 2.07.

I think there will be a fair few goals but I am opting for a home win and a performance to bounce back from semi-final heartache.

Limbs may be tired, but character and spirit will see them home.

   

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