Brentford vs Nottingham Forest live build-up: kick-off times, likely XIs and tactical stakes

The Premier League’s Sunday slate wraps with Brentford vs Nottingham Forest, a meeting of contrasting styles at the Gtech Community Stadium that could tug the table in opposite directions. Status: Upcoming on Sunday, January 25, 2026 — with the Bees leaning on home form and Forest chasing precious away points.

Score & Status — Brentford vs Nottingham Forest

• Status: Upcoming

• Score: 0–0 (pre-kickoff)

• Venue: Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford (London)

Kickoff (Time Zones)

• USA (ET) — Sun, Jan 25, 9:00 AM

• USA (PT) — Sun, Jan 25, 6:00 AM

• Canada (Toronto) — Sun, Jan 25, 9:00 AM

• UK (London) — Sun, Jan 25, 2:00 PM

No verified live updates yet. This page will switch to minute-by-minute once the whistle goes.

Live Timeline (Key Moments)

• Will populate from kick-off (0’) with goals, saves, cards and subs in real time.

Standout Storylines & Turning Points to Watch

• Bees at home: Brentford’s recent stretch in West London has been productive; expect early pressure and plenty of service into the box for the No. 9.

• Forest in transition: Forest have leaned on quick counters through Morgan Gibbs-White’s pockets of space and Callum Hudson-Odoi’s direct runs; the first turnover in midfield could flip momentum.

• Set-pieces matter: Both sides bring size; Brentford’s routines under Thomas Frank are typically crisp, while Forest’s delivery has improved — the first corner could be a tone-setter.

• Full-back duel: Rico Henry’s overlaps versus Neco Williams’ recovery pace is a fascinating lane battle that may decide crossing volume.

Lineups & Shape (projected, to be confirmed)

• Brentford (4-2-3-1): GK Kelleher; DEF Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Henry; MID Janelt, Yarmoliuk; AM Jensen, Damsgaard, Schade; ST Igor Thiago.

• Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): GK Matz Sels; DEF Ola Aina, Milenković, Murillo, Neco Williams; MID Sangaré, Elliot Anderson; AM Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Nicolás Domínguez; ST Igor Jesus.

Benches/injuries (expected): Brentford miss a couple of midfield options; Forest’s center-forward depth has been thinned by knocks. Final availability will be confirmed at team-sheet time (≈60–70 minutes before KO).

Head-to-Head & Recent Form

• Last 5 H2H (league): Tight series with swings both ways, including away wins on this ground. Margins are usually one goal.

• Form guide (last 5):

  • Brentford: W-D-W-L-W (mix of clean sheets and multi-goal outings at home)

  • Nottingham Forest: W-D-L-D-L (stubborn in big games, but goals have come in bursts)

Match Stats (will update live)

Tactical Preview — Bees vs Forest

Brentford’s 4-2-3-1 morphs into a 2-3-5 in settled attacks: full-backs push, the double pivot staggers to protect rest-defense, and crosses arrive early toward Igor Thiago. Watch for Mathias Jensen to ghost into the right half-space and combine with Kevin Schade cutting inside. If the hosts pin Forest back, second-phase pressure around the D will be relentless.

Forest’s best route is rapid verticality. Ibrahim Sangaré can spring transitions; Gibbs-White receives between lines, then releases Hudson-Odoi or the striker into the channel beyond Brentford’s advanced full-backs. If they can force turnovers on Brentford’s first pass out, the away side will create odd-man rushes.

What It Means — Brentford vs Nottingham Forest

For Brentford, three points keep them attached to the European chase and extend a strong home narrative. For Nottingham Forest, any result away from home is gold in the survival calculus; even a draw slows the slide and builds a platform before a tricky run-in. Expect a tight xG profile, a premium on set-pieces, and a contest where the first goal looms large — exactly the fine margins that define Brentford vs Nottingham Forest.

For Upcoming Matches (preview mode only)

• Form (last 5): Brentford (W-D-W-L-W) vs Nottingham Forest (W-D-L-D-L)

• Injuries/Suspensions: A handful of knocks on both sides; final team news due just before kick-off.

• Where to watch: Domestic TV/stream per regional listings.

• Prediction: Narrow Brentford win (1-0 or 2-1). Home structure and set-piece craft may shade it, but Forest’s transitions give them a live puncher’s chance.