Nottm Forest vs Brentford: H2H, Stats & Prediction

Across more than a century of football, Nottingham Forest and Brentford have produced some tightly contested matches with no clear favourite. Recent seasons have tilted the balance — Forest have won three of their last five Premier League encounters.

Head-to-Head Matches: 43 total since 1909 · Brentford Wins: 16 · Nottingham Forest Wins: 16 · Draws: 11

Key Facts

Across all recorded meetings dating back to 1909, the two clubs have produced a remarkably even rivalry with 43 total matches and a perfectly split win record.

Nottm Forest vs Brentford Prediction

Recent Form Analysis

Nottingham Forest have established a clear advantage in recent Premier League meetings with Brentford. Forest won three of their last five encounters against the Bees, including a statement 3-1 victory at the City Ground on 17 August 2025 to open the 2025/26 season. That match saw Chris Wood score a brace, while Dan Ndoye also found the net in a dominant display. Brentford’s new manager Keith Andrews saw his side lose 1-3 in that debut encounter.

The most recent meeting on 25 January 2026 saw Forest travel to Brentford’s home ground and secure a 0-2 victory through goals from Igor Jesus and Taiwo Awoniyi. Despite Brentford controlling 66% possession and generating 1.81 expected goals, they were unable to break down Forest’s defence. Forest had only seven shots compared to Brentford’s ten, but converted their chances with clinical efficiency.

Key Player Matchups

Chris Wood has proven particularly effective against Brentford, scoring twice in the August 2025 meeting. The New Zealand international brings physical presence and sharp finishing that has troubled Brentford’s backline in recent seasons.

At the other end, Brentford’s attack has struggled to break through against Forest. Despite dominating possession in the January 2026 match with 66% of the ball, they failed to score. Forest’s defenders have organised effectively, and goalkeeper Matz Sels has been solid in these fixtures.

Nottm Forest vs Brentford Live

Live Score Sources

For real-time updates during matches, several established platforms provide live coverage. Flashscore offers minute-by-minute commentary and detailed match statistics, while FotMob delivers live xG data and shot maps that help illustrate how each team is performing beyond just the scoreline.

The Premier League’s official website also provides match centres with official statistics, team lineups, and in-game events for all fixtures between these clubs.

Streaming Options

Premier League matches are broadcast in the UK through TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) and Amazon Prime Video under the current broadcasting deal. International viewers should check regional rights holders through the Premier League’s official directory. Services like Peacock (USA), Optus Sport (Australia), and FuboTV (Canada) offer live streaming depending on geography.

Nottm Forest vs Brentford Results

Recent Match Outcomes

The head-to-head record between these clubs spans over a century, with their first meeting coming on 6 February 1909 in an FA Cup tie that Forest won 1-0. In Premier League era meetings since 2022, both clubs have traded victories, though Forest have edged ahead in recent form.

Full Time Scores

Here are the verified scores from recent Premier League meetings:

The pattern: Forest have secured three consecutive victories against Brentford since December 2024, reversing an earlier sequence where the teams traded wins.

Nottm Forest vs Brentford Stats

Head-to-Head Stats

When examining the broader H2H record across all competitions, the numbers reveal a remarkably even contest. Sports Mole records 43 total matches with each club winning 16 times and 11 draws. Aggregate goals across those matches lean slightly in Forest’s favour at 59-56.

Breaking down performance metrics, Brentford average 1.53 goals per H2H match compared to Forest’s 0.93. However, Forest have improved significantly in recent seasons. SoccerPunter’s data also shows both clubs’ longest winning streaks against each other are two matches apiece, highlighting the competitive balance.

League Position Form

In terms of broader season performance, both clubs have experienced Premier League survival as their primary objective in recent campaigns. Forest’s recent H2H dominance correlates with their improved league position, with the club pushing toward upper-mid-table finishes in the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons.

Nottm Forest vs Brentford Lineups

Predicted Starting XI

Lineup information for upcoming fixtures is typically confirmed around two hours before kickoff through club official channels and the Premier League’s matchday platforms. For the most accurate predicted XIs, refer to the match-specific pages on Flashscore or FotMob in the hours leading up to each game.

Based on recent form, Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo has favoured a structured 4-3-3 system with Chris Wood leading the line. Brentford under Keith Andrews have shown flexibility between 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations depending on opponent.

Injury Updates

Injury news for both clubs is updated weekly through official club statements and Premier League injury lists published on Thursday mornings. Key absentees can significantly impact H2H outcomes — for example, Forest’s defensive solidity in the January 2026 match relied heavily on key players remaining fit.

Always verify injury status through the Premier League’s official channels rather than secondary reports, as squad availability can change rapidly in the 48 hours before a match.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Nine Premier League meetings between 2022 and 2026 reveal clear tactical patterns and performance trends that distinguish each team’s strengths.

The implication: Brentford consistently dominate possession and shot volume in these matchups, yet Forest convert their limited chances at a higher rate. This efficiency gap has driven Forest’s recent dominance despite being the less territorial team.

Match Timeline

Here is a chronological record of key meetings between the clubs spanning over a century of football.

The chronology shows how Forest have turned the tide since late 2024, winning three straight meetings after Brentford had edged earlier encounters in the Premier League era.

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

What Experts Say

“A brace from Chris Wood inspired Nottingham Forest to a comfortable 3-1 win over Brentford, kicking off their Premier League campaign with an impressive statement victory against the Bees.”

— ESPN Match Report

“Igor Jesus and Taiwo Awoniyi struck in either half to secure a shock Premier League win for Forest, who made the most of Brentford’s wastefulness in front of goal despite the hosts’ territorial dominance.”

— FotMob Match Summary

Both sources highlight Forest’s clinical finishing as the decisive factor in recent meetings. Brentford have consistently created chances but struggled to convert them against Forest’s organised defence, while Forest have demonstrated the ability to win matches even when second-best in terms of territorial control.

Summary

Across 43 meetings spanning from 1909 to 2026, Nottingham Forest and Brentford have produced one of the Premier League’s most evenly balanced rivalries. The series stands perfectly split at 16 wins each with 11 draws. However, Forest have established a clear tactical edge in recent seasons, winning three of their last five Premier League encounters. Brentford’s historical advantage in goals per match has narrowed, with Forest converting limited chances at a higher rate. The most recent meeting on 25 January 2026 encapsulated this pattern: Brentford dominated possession and xG but lost 0-2 through goals from Igor Jesus and Taiwo Awoniyi.

Brentford supporters face mounting concern as their team has now lost three consecutive matches to Forest, with an expanding efficiency gap widening between the two sides. Forest fans can point to a clear upward trajectory — this fixture has become a reliable source of points in recent seasons, and the tactical approach under Nuno Espírito Santo appears specifically calibrated to neutralise Brentford’s attacking threats.

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Forest’s recent 0-2 triumph at Gtech on January 25 underscores their edge, yet the Brentford home preview reveals Brentford’s resolve to flip the script at home.

Frequently asked questions