Nottingham Forest vs Brentford predictions: Resilient Bees can share the spoils
&w=707&quality=100)
- Brentford have lost one of their last eight Premier League away games
- Four of Nottingham Forest's six Premier League draws have come at home
- Recommended bet: Draw
Nottingham Forest's FA Cup run came to an end with Sunday's 2-0 semi-final loss to Manchester City, but they have five massive Premier League fixtures to focus on, starting with a tricky test against Brentford.
A swift response is needed from Forest, who have dropped out of the top five for the first time since September.
However, Champions League qualification remains in the hands of Nuno Espirito Santo's side, who are just two points adrift of third place and have played a game less than the teams around them.
Eleventh-placed Brentford are 14 points worse off, but are not without hope of qualifying for some form of European football.
The Bees are unbeaten in three games and know that a win in the East Midlands would take them to within just two points of eighth-placed Fulham.
Team news
Forest can welcome back versatile full back Neco Williams and tough-tackling midfielder Ryan Yates, who were suspended for the FA Cup semi-final clash against the Citizens.
Ola Aina (calf) and Eric Moreira (ankle) missed out at the weekend and will be assessed with a view to rejoining the squad.
Bees duo Aaron Hickey (unspecified injury) and Igor Thiago (knee) are expected to feature again before the season ends, but both are doubts for the midweek trip.
Yunus Konak (head) is also a doubt and Joshua Dasilva (knee) and Fabio Carvalho (shoulder) are unavailable.
&w=707&quality=100)
The stats
Nottingham Forest have scored just three goals across their last five home fixtures, while nine of their last 10 matches have featured less than four goals.
Brentford have won five of their last seven away league games and both teams have scored in four of the Bees’ last five matches.
Prediction
Brentford have collected 17 points from their last eight away games and can add another one by drawing with Forest at the City Ground.
Thomas Frank’s side were reliant on home form in the opening half of the season, but they have become more effective on their travels in recent months thanks to a solid defensive setup and their pace and precision on the counter-attack.
Strikers Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa have been key players and are fifth and sixth on the top-flight scoring charts with tallies of 18 and 16 respectively.
They pose an obvious threat to a Forest side under pressure to push for a win in front of their home fans.
Forest manager Nuno is an astute tactician and is likely to warn his players of the risks attached to playing an open game.
A tight, tactical affair could ensue and that increases the probability of the points being shared.
Win up to £250,000 with LiveScore 6!
Win up to £250,000 with our free-to-play game, LiveScore 6!
