Brentford have had a very satisfying start to the season in their first year back in the Championship since being promoted from League One. Mark Warburton has done a very good job since Uwe Rosler left to take over at Wigan not so long ago. Warburton encouraged Brentford to play a very good style of football which was so successful in League One and they have now continued this into the Championship achieving similar success. Brentford have won six of their first fifteen league matches which seems them sitting currently in 12th position level on points with Forest. Brentford's most recent success came only last Saturday when they beat Forest's arch rivals Derby County 2-1 thanks to a goal late on from Stuart Dallas. This result shows that they should not be underestimated by any team in the division this season. In comparison, Forest would do anything to get themselves a win at the moment. From what was a faultless start to the campaign, Pearce's men now find themselves sliding down the league table at an alarming rate. Forest have not won a match in the Championship for eight games and are now starting to concede goals left right and centre. The performance in the most recent 3-0 defeat to Huddersfield Town was simply not good enough and they have to improve if they hope to achieve their aspirations of getting Forest back to the Premier League. However, there is some hope for Forest as the last time they played on a Wednesday night was the last time they won in a 5-3 win over Fulham in what proved to be a goal fest at the City Ground.
The Brentford players celebrate securing a victory late on against Forest's arch rivals Derby County.
Forest seem to be getting some luck with injuries now as there are no new injury concerns ahead of the visit of Brentford. Due to the way Forest lost against Huddersfield Town at the weekend, it wouldn't be surprising if Stuart Pearce made some changes to his line up. Kelvin Wilson and Matty Fryatt could return after being left out of the squad completely at the weekend. Tom Ince is likely again to feature after recently joining the club on loan from Hull City. One player who definitely not be in the squad is Greg Halford who was yesterday loaned out to Brighton & Hove Albion for a month. This will give Halford some good match practice as he is yet to feature for Forest this season. Long-term absentees Jack Hobbs, Andy Reid and Chris Cohen are all still unavailable for selection.
My prediction for this game is Nottingham Forest 1-0 Brentford. I think Forest just have to find a way of winning the match, meaning that it may not be the greatest spectacle. Getting the win and the three points in this match is vitally important otherwise they will be falling away from the pace setters at the top of the Championship. Brentford are going to prove very difficult opposition but also different opposition to what Forest have been used to facing recently. Forest have recently been facing very physical opposition in Blackburn Rovers and Huddersfield Town. I think they may be more suited to playing a footballing team such as Brentford. I think that Forest will score a goal late on to claim the three points and I fancy Britt Assombalonga to get it. I hope that Forest can achieve what would be a vitally important win whilst the fireworks are going off up and down the country.
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