Brentford v Nottingham Forest: crossing threat and attacking response
Brentford’s wide attacks meet Nottingham Forest’s back three on 31 October. Kick-off, television details, latest team news and our betting angle.
Brentford host Nottingham Forest at Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday 31 October 2026, with kick-off at 3pm GMT. Checked on 21 October, the Premier League schedule lists no live television coverage in the United Kingdom. Bonus Code Poker (BCP) favours Brentford’s crossing threat, while Forest’s response depends heavily on their attacking availability.
When is Brentford v Nottingham Forest, and is it on TV?
The Premier League match kicks off at 3pm GMT on Saturday 31 October 2026 at Gtech Community Stadium. It has not been selected for live television in the United Kingdom. Our Premier League fixtures and previews guide covers the surrounding schedule.
| Full-time result | bet365 price |
|---|---|
| Brentford win | 1/1 (2.00) |
| Draw | 5/2 (3.50) |
| Nottingham Forest win | 13/5 (3.60) |
Can Brentford turn wide attacks into clear chances?
Brentford’s best route is to move Forest’s back three sideways, then attack the space between defenders. Their 2–1 home defeat by Liverpool on 17 October still contained a useful example: Igor Thiago crossed for Keane Lewis-Potter to head them ahead.
Earlier, Jaidon Anthony released Dango Ouattara on the right and his low delivery needed a last-ditch intervention from Jérémy Jacquet to deny Thiago. Those moves asked different questions. One sent the centre-forward towards goal; the scoring move had him supply a runner from deeper.
That variety matters against three centre-backs. Repeated crosses towards a stationary striker would suit a defence already set in its box. A quick delivery after a change of position gives the covering defender a harder choice: follow the striker or pick up the arriving runner.
Yehor Yarmoliuk’s first-half dismissal changed the Liverpool game before Victor Muñoz and Alexander Isak scored. Vitaly Janelt later received a second yellow. Brentford’s first league defeat therefore offers a poor measure of how their usual midfield would protect a lead with 11 players.
Why are Forest struggling to turn chances into goals?
Forest created openings against Arsenal but finished with a 1–0 home defeat on 18 October. Dan Ndoye forced David Raya to turn a shot behind, while James McAtee sent a free-kick over and Murillo headed a corner at the goalkeeper. Noni Madueke settled it late.
The distinction is between getting a shot away and making the goalkeeper’s job difficult. Forest’s pressure produced attempts, but the set-piece chances described in their match report lacked the finish. Brentford should take that warning seriously: a blank against Arsenal does not mean the next opponent can allow the same openings.
Oliver Glasner’s back three also kept Arsenal scoreless until the final 10 minutes. That is the main obstacle to backing the hosts outright. If Forest close the crossing lanes and keep their wing-backs connected to the outside centre-backs, Brentford may have to work patiently for their first clear opening.
What does the latest team news mean for this matchup?
Yarmoliuk is listed as suspended for league matchweeks eight and nine, which includes this Forest fixture. Janelt’s listed ban covers matchweek eight only. The distinction matters: losing both against Liverpool does not mean both are ruled out for 31 October.
Brentford’s latest league XI, against Liverpool, was Kelleher; Kayode, Ajer, van den Berg, Lewis-Potter; Janelt, Yarmoliuk, Jensen; Ouattara, Thiago, Anthony. Kevin Schade and Mikkel Damsgaard appeared from the bench, while Jannik Schuster missed the squad through injury.
Forest’s latest league XI, against Arsenal, was Sels; Jair Cunha, Diomande, Murillo; Muñoz, Domínguez, Schlager, Williams; Ndoye, McAtee; Delap. Morgan Gibbs-White missed that match through injury; Nicolás Domínguez came into midfield and McAtee played further forward. Nikola Milenković returned to the bench.
Glasner’s 16 October update also ruled Nicolò Savona and Igor Jesus out of the Arsenal game. Gibbs-White’s muscle problem is the attacking issue to follow: his return would give Forest another option behind Liam Delap and could change McAtee’s role. These are the latest confirmed selections and dated absences, not the teams for 31 October.
Both clubs have another league match before this meeting: Forest visit Ipswich Town on 23 October and Brentford visit Hull City on 25 October. Those games will provide the next test of their attacking combinations and midfield cover.
Brentford v Nottingham Forest FAQs
The timing is confirmed, while the starting teams remain unannounced. These answers reflect the information checked on 21 October 2026.
What time does Brentford v Nottingham Forest start?
Brentford v Nottingham Forest starts at 3pm GMT on Saturday 31 October 2026 at Gtech Community Stadium. The Premier League’s television schedule, checked on 21 October, does not list a live broadcaster for the match in the United Kingdom.
Are the Brentford and Nottingham Forest line-ups confirmed?
No starting XI has been announced for 31 October. As checked on 21 October, Brentford’s latest league team faced Liverpool on 17 October and Nottingham Forest’s faced Arsenal on 18 October. Yarmoliuk’s suspension and Gibbs-White’s fitness are important selection issues.
Bet365 betting angle
Brentford to win is the market we would price first. Their ability to switch the provider and the runner gives them a credible way to disturb Forest’s back three. Forest’s missed chances against Arsenal strengthen the football case for the hosts, though evens with bet365 (1/1 when checked on 21 October at 4.15pm BST) is hardly a bargain if Forest sharpen up in front of goal.
Forest’s defensive resistance is the strongest objection. Brentford also lose Yarmoliuk from the midfield that started against Liverpool, so the replacement must cover behind their wide attacks. A fit Gibbs-White would make Forest’s response more dangerous and would reduce our preference for the home win.
We would avoid adding both teams to score simply because Brentford can create chances: Forest’s finishing and attacking selection need their own assessment. Our both teams to score guide explains that separate market. You can also view bet365 Sports.
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Sources: BFC fixture, BFC report, NFFC report, NFFC XI, NFFC news, PL fixtures, PL bans.
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