Correlation FC

Brentford at Nottingham Forest, preview

Ready or not, here comes the new Premier League season. It's been a bit of a strange summer for both teams. The game comes about 2 weeks before the summer transfer window closes, so there's still time for a few more surprises.

After Forest's strong season last year, they knew they'd be playing in Europe, but it was only a few days ago it was confirmed that they'd be playing in the Europa League due to Crystal Palace's ownership situation. Forest has had several players leave and only a few incoming players.

Brentford has of course lost several key people and had some significant arrivals as well. It should be interesting to see which team handles the changes and the noise the best.

Recent history

Overall, Bees have 11 wins and 4 draws in 20 head to head match-ups against Forest, only losing once in the Premier League. Last season, both games were won 2-0 by the visitors, with Brentford taking the most recent one.

Pre-game correlation

Forest have not won their opening day match in the Premier League this century. The Last time the Bees lost on opening day was in 2019.

Prediction #1

Both team's first game of the season trends will continue and Brentford will win the game.

Prediction #2

Both teams will defend well and the score will be low. There will be no more than 2 goals scored.

Prediction #3

The Bees will use the same starting lineup that they used in their final pre-season friendly against Gladbach. This assumes that both Kevin Schade and Caoimhin Kelleher will be unable to start due to injury.

Prediction #4

Brentford's first goal of the season has been scored with a left foot for the past 3 seasons (Ivan Toney in 2022-23, Bryan Mbeumo in 2023-24 and again in 2024-25). Brentford's first goal of the 2025-26 season will be scored with a left foot.

Prediction #5

Brentford will wear their new brown away kit. It would be very surprising if they didn't.

Prediction #6

New Bee Jordan Henderson will come off the bench as a substitute.