Nottingham Forest welcome Brentford to Trentside on Sunday as both sides open their 2025/26 Premier League campaigns at the City Ground in Nottinghamshire.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s Forest ended last season on a disappointing note, taking just five points in their final five games. They had been in contention for a top-four finish for most of the season but ultimately finished seventh, securing a Conference League spot in Europe..
Despite missing out on the Champions League, it is Forest’s first return to Europe since the 1995/96 season. They also strengthened their squad over the summer, bringing in four players: Dan Ndoye, Igor Jesus, Jair Cunha, and Angus Gunn.
Brentford finished 10th in the Premier League last season, marking their second-best finish since promotion in 2021. The Bees lost two key figures over the summer: manager Thomas Frank departed for Tottenham Hotspur after seven years in charge, while winger Bryan Mbeumo joined Manchester United.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Nottingham Forest vs. Brentford live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this Premier League match in the U.S.:
TV channel: N/A
Live stream: Peacock
This game is not available for live TV broadcast in the US. Streaming options are available on Peacock.
What time does Nottingham Forest vs. Brentford kick off?
This Premier League clash takes place at City Ground in Nottingham, England and kicks off on Sunday, August 17 at 2 p.m. local time (BST).
Here's how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Sun, Aug. 17 | 9:00 a.m. |
| Central Time | Sun, Aug. 17 | 8:00 a.m. |
| Mountain Time | Sun, Aug. 17 | 7:00 a.m. |
| Pacific Time | Sun, Aug. 17 | 6:00 a.m. |
Nottingham Forest vs. Brentford lineups, team news
Nottingham Forest will be without Nicolas Dominguez until the autumn after the midfielder underwent knee surgery over the summer.
Other than that, the first team is largely injury-free for their Premier League opener.
New signing Dan Ndoye is expected to start on the right, replacing Elanga, while Chris Wood should lead the attack despite a low-scoring preseason in which Forest managed just one goal in seven games.
The new signing from Botafogo Igor Jesus, who has partnered Wood in some friendlies, is likely to start on the bench.
Nottingham Forest predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Sels (GK) — Aina, Milenkovic, Murilo, Williams — Yates, Anderson — Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi — Wood
Injured: Dominguez (knee)
Suspended: None
Brentford will be without Vitaly Janelt and Gustavo Nunes, both sidelined until mid-September with ankle and thigh injuries respectively.
Kevin Schade, Ethan Pinnock and Kelleher are being assessed ahead of the opener. Goalkeeper Kelleher and winger Schade have stronger chances of being involved, but Hakon Valdimarsson and Keane Lewis-Potter are ready to step in.
Wissa has not featured in preseason amid speculation over a transfer, and Keith Andrews said he would include the forward in the squad for this game.
Brentford predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Kelleher (GK) — Kayode, Collins, Van den Berg, Henry — Jensen, Yarmoliuk — Carvalho, Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter — Thiago
Injured: Janelt (ankle), Nunes (thigh) , Schade (knock, doubt), Pinnock (other, doubt), Kelleher (other, doubt)
Suspended: None
Premier League fixture schedule this week
Friday, August 15
- Liverpool vs. Bournemouth (3 p.m. ET)
Saturday, August 16
- Aston Villa vs. Newcastle (7:30 a.m. ET)
- Brighton vs. Fulham (10 a.m. ET)
- Sunderland vs. West Ham (10 a.m. ET)
- Tottenham vs. Burnley (10 a.m. ET)
- Wolves vs. Man City (12:30 p.m. ET)
Sunday, August 17
- Nottingham Forest vs. Brentford (9 a.m. ET)
- Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace (9 a.m. ET)
- Man United vs. Arsenal (11:30 a.m. ET)
Monday, August 18
- Leeds vs. Everton (3 p.m. ET)