Nottingham Forest and Brentford meet in a Premier League opening day clash between two clubs seemingly heading in different directions.
After battling relegation in the two previous years, Forest defied all expectations to almost clinch a Champions League spot last season, eventually finishing seventh. They were bumped from the Europa League into the UEFA Conference League after Crystal Palace's FA Cup win before being controversially reinstated.
Nuno Espirito Santo has lost Anthony Elanga to Newcastle but held onto Morgan Gibbs-White despite heavy interest from Tottenham. He has also added Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus to his squad, with Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee on the way.
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Brentford have had far more upheaval, with the iconic Thomas Frank departing and Keith Andrews succeeding him in the dugout. The rookie head coach's task was made even harder by the exits of Bryan Mbeumo, Christian Norgaard Ben Mee and Mark Flekken, with Yoane Wissa also looking set to leave to join Elanga at Newcastle.
Jordan Henderson has arrived, as well as his former Liverpool teammate Caoimhin Kelleher and attacking midfielder Antoni Milambo. Dango Ouattara also looks set to sign in a club record deal from Bournemouth.
The Sporting News takes you through the latest odds, tips and predictions for this very interesting clash.
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Nottingham Forest vs. Brentford expected lineups
Here's how we think these two sides will line up.
Nottingham Forest lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left)
- Sels (GK) — Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams — Yates, Anderson — Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi — Wood
Injured: Nicolas Gonzalez
Suspended: None
Brentford lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left)
- Kelleher (GK) — Kayode, Collins, Van den Berg, Henry — Jensen, Henderson — Carvalho, Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter — Thiago
Injured: Vitaly Janelt, Kevin Schade
Suspended: None
Nottingham Forest vs. Brentford team news
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- Dan Ndoye in for Elanga is the only real change from last season's Forest starting XI, but more arrivals are coming very soon.
- Andrews will hope club record signing Igor Thiago can step up in attack in the absence of Mbeumo and Wissa. The Brazilian missed much of his debut season through injury, but is fit and ready to start this time around.
- There is a distinct Liverpool old boys look to the Bees, with Caoimhin Kelleher and Jordan Henderson likely to be joined by Sepp van der Berg and Fabio Carvalho in the side.
- There is also an Irish tinge to the Bees now, with Kelleher in goal and Nathan Collins named club captain by his compatriot Andrews.
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs. Brentford: Live stream, TV channel
- Date: Sunday, August 17
- Venue: City Ground
- Time: 11:00 p.m. AEST (Stan Sport)
- TV/Stream: Sky Sports, Sky Go