Nottingham Forest vs Brentford

Nottingham Forest are set to host Brentford at the City Ground on Thursday evening in a pivotal Premier League encounter, rescheduled due to Forest's recent FA Cup semi-final involvement.

Under the guidance of Nuno Espírito Santo, Nottingham Forest have emerged as unexpected contenders for a Champions League spot. Despite a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final, where they struck the woodwork multiple times, Forest remain focused on their league campaign. Their recent 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur showcased their resilience, achieving the win with only 30% possession and four shots on goal. Currently sixth in the table, Forest are just two points behind third place and have a game in hand, positioning them well in the race for European qualification.

Brentford, managed by Thomas Frank, are also eyeing European competition, specifically the Europa Conference League. They recently ended a nine-match winless streak at home with a 4-2 triumph over Brighton & Hove Albion. Their away form has been impressive, remaining unbeaten in seven of their last nine matches, including a draw at Arsenal. Currently five points adrift of eighth place with a game in hand, Brentford need a strong finish to the season to keep their European hopes alive.​

In the reverse fixture earlier this season, Forest secured a 2-0 victory at Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium, marking their first top-flight win against the Bees. For the upcoming match, Forest may see the return of defender Ola Aina, while Brentford are dealing with several injuries, including Aaron Hickey and Fabio Carvalho