Nottingham Forest will look to bounce back from a disappointing weekend as they return to Premier League action.
The Reds host Brentford at the City Ground on Saturday afternoon in what is the first ever Premier League meeting between the two sides. The game comes just under a week after Forest’s 5-0 defeat against Arsenal in their last outing.
Steve Cooper ’s men would have gone into the game full of confidence after recording a surprise 1-0 win over Liverpool. But it was a day to forget for Forest at the Emirates Stadium thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Reiss Nelson (2), Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard.
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Forest will, though be back to home comforts this weekend, with their two wins so far this season both coming at the City Ground. Visitors Brentford are also yet to take three points from an away game this campaign.
Ahead of the match, two pundits have had their say, with both predicting the Bees’ winless away run to continue against Forest. Former midfielder Paul Merson warned the Reds that they will have to take 'the rough with the smooth' this season.
"Nottingham Forest were great against Liverpool," he told Sportskeeda . “But they were given a reality check by Arsenal.
"That's going to be their season - I don't think they're going to start winning four matches on the trot. They've got to take the rough with the smooth. If their players can cope with that, they might be all right.
"Brentford are struggling at the moment, and they can't seem to win a game. They played well against Chelsea but didn't win, and they were out of the game from the start against Aston Villa. With the timing of this match and the way Brentford are playing, Forest have got to try and win.
"Nottingham Forest have every chance to win this game. There were no expectations against Liverpool, and this match will be different. I think this game will end in a draw, and that doesn't really help either team."
Paul Merson’s prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Brentford
Fellow pundit Chris Sutton in complete agreement with Merson. He has though outlined a ‘worry’ for Steve Cooper’s side.
"Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper questioned his side's competitive edge after they were thumped by Arsenal last weekend," he told the BBC . "That is a bit of a worry - surely part of his job is to make sure his players are properly motivated.
"Off the back of Forest beating Liverpool in their last game at the City Ground, I would have gone for another home win here, but after what happened against the Gunners, I am not so sure.
"Brentford have not won away in the Premier League all season, so that hardly makes me think they are going to take home three points either - it is a massive cop-out, but I am going for a draw."
Chris Sutton’s prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Brentford
What are your predictions for Saturday's game? Tell us in the comments section
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