Nottingham Forest host Brentford in the top-flight for the first time this Saturday. The Reds will also have a much-changed XI to the last time they beat the Bees with Joe Lolley a hero.
Both teams have won 13 of their past 35 meetings across all competitions, whilst drawing on nine occasions. But not once have Nottingham Forest and Brentford previously met in a top-flight match. They have also only ever played out one goalless draw way back in 1935.
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A 1-1 draw marked their last meeting in the Championship in March 2021 before the Bees’ promotion via the play-offs. Nottingham Forest followed the west London natives into the Premier League through the Wembley showpiece last season to end their 23-year absence.
Nottingham Forest last beat Brentford via a deflected strike from Lolley
Nottingham Forest failed to win either of their Championship matches against Brentford in the 2020/21 campaign. The Bees won 3-1 at the City Ground in December 2020, where the Reds had won 1-0 in October 2019 before a 1-0 win on their visit to the capital in January.
Lolley’s first-half goal proved the difference as Nottingham Forest last beat Brentford. The midfielder moved the Reds third in the table after 29 fixtures when his shot deflected past David Raya. The goalkeeper had to do well to prevent the Bees falling any further behind.
Feisty moments littered the meeting with referee Tim Robinson cautioning Said Benrahma for chopping down Samba Sow. The official also showed Reds shot-stopper Brice Samba a yellow card in only the 23rd minute for time-wasting just nine minutes after Lolley hit home.
Neither star who helped to Nottingham Forest’s last win over Brentford remains at the City Ground now. In fact, only one of the 11 players Sabri Lamouchi started in January 2020 are still with the Reds today. So, where are the last Nottingham Forest XI who beat Brentford?
Brice Samba (GK): Lens star shut Brentford out in Nottingham Forest’s last win
Samba shut Brentford out as Nottingham Forest last beat the Bees ahead of this Saturday’s inaugural Premier League meeting. The 28-year-old recorded 45 clean sheets in 133 games for the Reds from joining from SM Caen in 2019 and heading to RC Lens in July for £4.5m.
Matty Cash (RB): Aston Villa signed the former Nottingham Forest star in 2020
Matty Cash vacated the City Ground in September 2020 after Aston Villa paid Nottingham Forest £16m for the right-back. The seven-cap Poland international had spent six years in Nottinghamshire after joining in his youth. He went on to play in 141 first-team matches.
Tobias Figueiredo (CB): Hull grabbed a Bosman deal after his release in June
Hull City signed Tobias Figueiredo in a free transfer this June after Nottingham Forest axed the centre-half upon securing promotion. The 28-year-old had spent the past four years at the City Ground after joining from Sporting Lisbon on an initial loan. He played 122 games.
Joe Worrall (CB): Nottingham Forest captain will look to beat Brentford again
Joe Worrall will try to help Nottingham Forest beat Brentford again on Saturday. The Reds captain is the only remaining player from the City Ground natives’ last win over the Bees in 2020. The 25-year-old has been at the club since his youth and boasts 193 senior matches.
Yuri Ribeiro (LB): Legia Warszawa signed the defender from the Reds in 2021
Legia Warszawa signed Yuri Ribeiro in August 2021 after his two seasons with Nottingham Forest. The left-back is under contract in Warsaw through to the summer of 2024 with the option for a further 12 months. He only made 57 appearances across his years at the Reds.
Ben Watson (CDM): Captained the last Nottingham Forest XI to beat Brentford
Ben Watson captained the last Nottingham Forest XI to beat Brentford in 2020 before the midfielder left for Charlton Athletic. He spent two years at the City Ground for 80 games in all competitions. The 37-year-old made 44 outings at the Addicks before retiring in August.
Samba Sow (CDM): Former Mali international hung up his boots this summer
Sow also called time on his career in the summer as the 36-cap Mali midfielder hung up his boots at 33 years old. He spent last term back at his first club RC Lens following his release by Nottingham Forest in 2021. The Reds called on his services for two years and 42 games.
Sammy Ameobi (RM): Middlesbrough released the free agent in June
Sammy Ameobi is now a free agent at 30 years old following his release by Middlesbrough this June. The Newcastle United product spent just one season on Teesside upon leaving Nottingham Forest in 2021. His two years at the City Ground had eight goals in 81 games.
Joe Lolley (CAM): Scored the only goal as Nottingham Forest last beat Brentford
Lolley emerged as Nottingham Forest’s hero the last time the Reds beat Brentford. The 30-year-old scored the only goal of the game with one of his 26 goals for the club. He also laid on 27 assists in 171 games up to joining A-League side Sydney FC after sealing promotion.
Tiago Silva (LM): The midfielder only spent one season at the City Ground
Tiago Silva only spent one season at the City Ground between joining from CD Feirense in 2019 and joining Olympiacos. One year later and the three-cap Portugal international was on the move again. But the 30-year-old stayed with Vitoria Guimaraes during this summer.
Lewis Grabban (ST): Al-Ahli signed the striker following his release in August
Lewis Grabban left Nottingham Forest after the 34-year-old’s contract expired in June. The striker had scored 56 and created 10 goals in 149 games for the club after joining from AFC Bournemouth for £6m in 2018. He eventually joined Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ahli in August.
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