Brentford 0-2 Nottingham Forest: Tricky Trees top-4 at Christmas

Everyone keeps asking is Nottingham Forest are really in the Premier League’s top-4 race, and Nuno Espitito Santo’s side just keeps winning, as they did by handing Brentford their first home defeat of the season, 2-0 on Saturday.

WATCH – Brentford vs Nottingham Forest full match replay

Ola Aina and Anthony Elanga got the goals shortly before and after halftime, and Forest defended brilliantly once again to keep the Bees scoreless for just the third time all season (first time at home). Brentford’s near-perfect home record (7W-1D-0L coming into the weekend) has taken a hit, as has their confidence on the back of 3 defeats (and 9 goals conceded) in their last 4 games.

From 17th last season, to top-4 at Christmas — Forest, what a story

As ever, the football was anything but beautiful and free-flowing from Forest, but the Tricky Trees continued to execute at an incredibly high level. Nuno has them set up to defend first and foremost (6th clean sheet of the season), and they’re finishing their big chances (few and far between as they are) as well as, or better than, anyone in the league right now (23 goals on less than 21 xG). Up until recently it was mostly Chris Wood carrying Forest with the most timely of goals, but the big Kiwi has just 1 of their last 7 as Elanga comes alive and gives good reason to believe they can keep pace with the likes of Arsenal, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Newcastle — all of whom are below them in the table at full-time.

Player ratings - Brentford vs Nottingham Forest

What’s next?

• Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham — Thursday, 10 am ET (Boxing Day)
• Brighton vs Brentford — Friday, 2:30 pm ET

Brentford vs Nottingham Forest live updates - by Andy Edwards

Brentford vs Nottingham Forest final score: 0-2

Goalscorers: Ola Aina (38'), Anthony Elanga (51')

GOAL! Brentford 0-2 Nottingham Forest: Elanga applies the pressure and the finish (51')

GOAL! Brentford 0-1 Nottingham Forest: Aina slots the opener through traffic (38')

Brentford starting lineup

Flekken - Ajer, Collins, Mee, Lewis-Potter - Norgaard, Janelt, Damsgaard - Mbeumo, Schade, Wissa

Nottingham Forest starting lineup

Sels - Milenkovic, Murillo, Morato - Aina, Gibbs-White, Anderson, Williams - Elanga, Hudson-Odoi, Wood

How to watch Brentford vs Nottingham Forest live, stream link and start time

Kick off time: 10 am ET Saturday (December 21)

Venue: Gtech Community Stadium — London

TV Channel: USA Network

Streaming: Watch live on NBCSports.com

Brentford (11th place - 23 points) have been virtually untouchable at home this season, taking 22 of 24 points from their first 8 games at Gtech Community Stadium (7W-1D-0L) and scoring a Premier League-high 26 goals in the process (6 more than any other side). Never mind the fact that Thomas Frank’s side has earned just a single point from eight away games, because they have scored three or more more goals in each of their last five games at home. That said, the Bees’ home fixture list is set to get much, much tougher in the coming days and weeks, with Forest (4th place), Arsenal (3rd), Manchester City (5th) and Liverpool (1st) all due in west London over the next month.

Three decades on from their last European adventure, Nottingham Forest (4th - 28 points) aren’t exactly blowing their opponents away, but they are making the most of one of the PL’s best defensive record (19 goals conceded in 16 games, 3rd-best) and some timely goals (mostly scored by Chris Wood, who has 10 of the Tricky Trees’ 21). Nuno Espirito Santo is preaching joy this holiday season, as his side defies the odds and continues to out-pace the likes of Manchester City, Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester United. “I’m not listening to that, honestly. … What I tell [Forest fans] is, ‘Let’s enjoy the journey, let’s stick to our principles and see where we come from and want to go. Let’s just enjoy it.’”

Brentford team news, focus

OUT: Mathias Jensen (hamstring), Ethan Pinnock (hamstring), Aaron Hickey (thigh), Josh Dasilva (knee), Rico Henry (knee), Gustavo Nunes (back), Igor Thiago (joint infection) | QUESTIONABLE: Sepp van den Berg (groin)

Nottingham Forest team news, focus

OUT: Danilo (ankle), Ibrahim Sangare (undisclosed) | QUESTIONABLE: Murillo (knock), Ryan Yates (ankle)

Brentford vs Nottingham Forest prediction

Brentford were inching their way toward full fitness with Igor Thiago’s recent return, but injuries have struck down two-thirds of the starting backline and that might just afford Forest the one or two big chances they need to keep their quest going. Brentford 1-2 Nottingham Forest.