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

Brentford make the trip to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest having put together a 10-match unbeaten streak in the Championship.

Meanwhile, Forest have lost five of their last half-a-dozen fixtures, leaving the East Midlands outfit just one point above the relegation zone.

Match preview

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After managing to go almost two months without suffering defeat in the second tier, Thomas Frank would have expected his side to be at least sitting in a playoff spot.

However, with six draws coming from their 10 matches, there is an argument that the Bees are fortunate to still be in seventh spot after the resurgence of several teams around them.

The 2-2 draw with 10-man Blackburn Rovers at the weekend was followed by a stalemate against Derby County in midweek, their fifth draw in nine home games this season.

Brentford's results at their new stadium are undermining their efforts on the road, and Frank may now feel that his side are better equipped to gain victory away from the capital.

Ten points have come from a possible 12 since their defeat at Stoke City in the middle of October, a run which has featured four successive clean sheets.

Frank and his players will be confident of making it five in a row against a team in Forest who are lacking belief in the final third.

Anthony Knockaert 's fortuitous goal against Norwich City on Wednesday night ended Forest's five-match streak without finding the back of the net.

Despite their abysmal form in front of goal, Chris Hughton 's side have somehow managed to remain in 21st position, ahead of improving Derby and Wycombe Wanderers.

Hughton is aware that he has players at his disposal who would hold down a position in many teams at this level, giving him reason to believe that his squad will eventually start living up to their potential.

Remarkably, Forest are yet to concede more than two goals in a match all season, but that only highlights how poor this team have performed in attack under Hughton and previous boss Sabri Lamouchi.

Nottingham Forest Championship form: LLLDLL

Brentford Championship form: DWWWDD

Team News

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Knockaert will almost certainly come back into the Forest XI, potentially at the expense of Harry Arter.

Lyle Taylor is in line to retain his place in attack, despite failing to score in his last half-a-dozen starts.

Frank will likely hand a recall to Brentford centre-back Ethan Pinnock, who remained as an unused substitute against Derby.

Mathias Jensen is expected to replace Emiliano Marcondes, while Tariqe Fosu-Henry and Marcus Forss are pushing for an outing in the final third.

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:

Samba; Christie, Figueiredo, Worrall, Ribeiro; Sow, Cafu; Lolley, Knockaert, Ameobi; Taylor

Brentford possible starting lineup:

Raya; Dalsgaard, Jansson, Pinnock, Henry; Jensen, Janelt, Dasilva; Mbuemo, Toney, Fosu-Henry

We say: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Brentford

Given their lack of form in the final third, this game could be far closer than many people are anticipating. Nevertheless, we still expect the visitors to come through with maximum points, potentially through a late goal with Forest prepared to hold out for a point.

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