Preview: Brentford vs. Nottingham Forest - prediction, team news, lineups

Steve Cooper's side moved out of the bottom three thanks to Wednesday's 3-1 victory at the City Ground, while Brentford claimed a 2-0 win at Chelsea to cement their place in the top half of the table.

Match preview

Brentford became the latest team to benefit from Chelsea's wastefulness as they picked up all three points at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, despite registering a solitary attempt on target while seeing just 27% of the ball.

An own goal from Cesar Azpilicueta gave the Bees the lead on 37 minutes before substitute Bryan Mbeumo dished up a tasty solo effort to secure the win for his side late on.

Wednesday's victory ended a six-game winless run for Thomas Frank's men, who suffered successive defeats to Manchester United, Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers before holding high-flying Aston Villa to a 1-1 draw last weekend.

There is no denying that Brentford have endured a sticky spell in recent weeks, but they have continued to pick up points at the Gtech Community Stadium, losing just one of their last 12 home league games.

Having suffered only two defeats in 16 Premier League matches on home soil - notching seven wins and seven draws along the way - the Bees will be confident of achieving another positive result against relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest.

While Brentford ended a six-game winless streak on Wednesday, Nottingham Forest terminated a dismal run of 11 league matches without a victory as they secured a much-needed win over Brighton.

When Brennan Johnson saw his 11th-minute penalty saved by Jason Steele, Forest fans would have been forgiven for fearing the worst, and things looked even bleaker for the City Ground faithful when Facundo Buonanotte put Brighton ahead on 38 minutes.

However, an own goal from Pascal Gross on the stroke of half time breathed life into the Tricky Trees, with second-half strikes from Danilo and Morgan Gibbs-White wrapping up a 3-1 win for the relegation strugglers.

When you look at the bigger picture, Forest have won just seven of their 33 Premier League games this season, while six of those victories have come at home, so Cooper's men must improve on the road if they are to avoid the drop.

In fact, Nottingham Forest possess the worst away record in the top six tiers of English football, having taken six points from a possible 48 on their travels, and they have also scored a measly seven goals in 16 away league outings this term.

Brentford Premier League form:

D

L

L

L

D

W

Nottingham Forest Premier League form:

D

L

L

L

L

W

Team News

Brentford will be without Pontus Jansson for the remainder of the campaign due to a hamstring injury, while Keane Lewis-Potter could miss the rest of the season with a knee issue.

Christian Norgaard and Thomas Strakosha are also sidelined due to injury, although Kristoffer Ajer could return to first-team action in the near future as he continues to recover from a calf problem.

After scoring as a substitute against Chelsea, Bryan Mbuemo is likely to be restored to the starting XI at the expense of Yoane Wissa, with Ivan Toney - who has netted 19 Premier League goals this term - leading the attack.

Nottingham Forest's extensive injury list grew even longer on Wednesday as Moussa Niakhate and Neco Williams were forced off in the victory over Brighton.

Niakhate and Williams join Chris Wood, Scott McKenna, Willy Boly, Giulian Biancone, Jack Colback, Ryan Yates, Gustavo Scarpa, Omar Richards and Dean Henderson on Forest's casualty list, with Jonjo Shelvey absent due to an internal disciplinary matter.

On a brighter note, Serge Aurier returned from injury to captain the side in midweek, while Cheikhou Kouyate returned from the bench.

Joe Worrall is expected to replace Niakhate in the backline, with Orel Mangala and Danilo anchoring the midfield, enabling Brennan Johnson and Morgan Gibbs-White to support Taiwo Awoniyi in attack.

Brentford possible starting lineup:

Raya; Hickey, Pinnock, Mee, Henry; Jensen, Onyeka, Janelt; Mbeumo, Toney, Schade

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:

Navas; Aurier, Felipe, Worral, Lodi; Mangala, Freuler, Danilo; Johnson, Awoniyi, Gibbs-White

We say: Brentford 2-1 Nottingham Forest

While Brentford have lost just two of their 16 home league games this season, Nottingham Forest have claimed a solitary victory in 16 away outings, conceding 39 goals in the process.

Naturally, Steve Cooper and his players will be buoyed by Wednesday's triumph over Brighton, but Brentford should have enough quality to inflict more away-day misery on Forest.

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