Nottingham Forest begin their 2025/26 Premier League campaign by hosting Brentford at the City Ground this afternoon, aiming to harness the energy of a home crowd for a positive start.
The match marks the beginning of the post Thomas Frank era for the Bees. Consequently, Andrews will be looking for his side to adapt quickly and secure a positive result against Forest team. The contest is expected to be a gritty battle, with control of the midfield likely to be decisive.
Brentford have lost just two of their last 10 league visits to the City Ground, winning on six occasions. Furthermore, the Bees have yet to lose their opening Premier League game since reaching England’s top tier in 2021.
This year, though they will enter uncharted waters, after Thomas Frank’s successful seven-year stay at the club reached its end and rookie coach Keith Andrews was appointed his successor.
The Irishman has a tough job on his hands as Brentford finished 10th in May, with 56 points, their second-best total in the top flight, and came close to contending for an unprecedented place in Europe.
Now, after losing their boss, captain and other key players must try to get Brentford firing again, starting with a tough trip to Nottingham this afternoon. The departures of key figures Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Nørgaard mean new faces will be integrated into the starting lineup.
Furthermore, Andrews will be without forward Yoane Wissa, who is absent from the squad amid ongoing transfer talks. In midfield, a new partnership of Jordan Henderson and Mathias Jensen will be tasked with providing control and energy. Aside from long-term absentees, the club reports no new injury worries.
Brentford Confirmed XI as seen on the club official X handle:
Kelleher; Kayode, Collins, van den Berg, Henry; Yarmoliuk, Jensen, Milambo; Carvalho, Thiago, Lewis-Potter.
Substitutes: Valdimarsson, Ajer, Arthur, Hickey, Roerslev, Henderson, Onyeka, Schade, Peart-Harris.
Keith Andrews’ first Brentford XI 🐝 pic.twitter.com/J7E24IwIpf
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) August 17, 2025
Nottingham Forest manager, Nuno Espírito Santo is expected to hand a competitive debut to new summer signing Dan Ndoye. The winger is in line to join Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi in a potent forward line reshaped following Anthony Elanga’s transfer to Newcastle.
In terms of injuries, an unfortunate knee issue has ruled out Nicolas Domínguez. Elliot Anderson will partner the reliable Ryan Yates centrally.
At the back, the formidable pairing of Nikola Milenković and Murillo will provide defensive steel, and the club reports no other major fitness issues heading into the opener.
Nottingham Forest Confirmed XI:
Sels, Aina, Milenković, Murillo, Williams, Sangaré, Anderson, Gibbs-White (C), Ndoye, Hudson-Odoi, Wood.
Substitutes: Gunn, Morato, Awoniyi, Jesus, Jota, Yates, Jair, Boly, Abbott.
Our opening day XI! 🗞️ pic.twitter.com/eb34pGUkO5
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) August 17, 2025
