Follow live coverage as Nottingham Forest face Brentford today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Liverpool look to fend off competition from Arsenal, Manchester City and more.
The race for the Champions League places should also be a compelling battle, with a fifth place possible for English teams. Manchester United’s latest rebuild under Ruben Amorim sets expectations high once more after a dismal season last time out.
Meanwhile, it’s Burnley, Leeds United and Sunderland who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Nottingham Forest FC 3 - 0 Brentford FC
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
14:54
HALF-TIME: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 3-0 BRENTFORD
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
14:49
Goal Chris Wood
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
14:49
With his header, Ndoye becomes the first ever Swiss player to score on their Premier League debut! He's also the first Forest debut scorer in the competition since Hudson-Odoi vs Burnley in September 2023.
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
14:44
Assist Morgan Gibbs-White
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
14:43
Goal Dan Ndoye
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
14:43
Big chance for Brentford! Henry does brilliantly down the left, skinning his man and cutting the ball back for Jensen, who helps the ball on to Thiago eight yards out. The Brazilian's effort is deflected behind by a Forest defender but the corner comes to nothing. Better from the Bees.
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
14:41
Thiago and Milenkovic then clash heads going for a header, as play is stopped again for a matter of minutes. The flow has just been stifled in the last five minutes, which Forest won't mind.
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
14:39
There's a VAR check for handball against Milambo from the free-kick as the forward gets in a horrible position inside the area as the ball is whipped goalwards. It appears to strike his hand but after a VAR check the referee signals for a corner.
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
14:35
Lewis-Potter fouls Williams on the left flank as the Welshman darts past him. Forest have a free-kick in a dangerous area with Wood lurking menacingly.
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
14:34
So far in this season opener, Forest have played in much the same style that brought them so much success last season - with nearly 80% of their attacks coming down the flanks and Aina and Williams pushing high from full-back.
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
14:30
Excellent defending again from Brentford as Gibbs-White picks out the run of Ndoye into the right hand channel of the area, but Kayode is tracking him all the way and outmuscles him before he can get a shot away.
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
14:27
First half-chance for Brentford! Forest lose the ball in midfield and Thiago lays the ball of for Yarmoliuk who drives towards the box and hits a low effort with the outside of his right boot, but Sels deals with it comfortably.
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
14:23
Well, we said today would be a good chance for Jesus to stake his claim as Brentford's main striker but it's been a difficult start to the game for the Brazilian, having just six touches in the opening 20 minutes. He will fancy getting a little more involved as the game goes on.
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
14:21
Super tackle! It isn't pretty but Gibbs-White bundles through a couple of challenges on the edge of the box before trying to send the ball towards the far bottom corner, it looks to be heading straight into Wood's path for a simple finish but Collins sticks a last-ditch leg out and averts the danger.
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
14:19
Aina sends in a deep, looping cross which sails over Wood's head, but Henry defends the ball awkwardly and gets a touch on it to hand Forest a corner. More than 45% of the action in the last 15 minutes has been in the Brentford defensive third.
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
14:16
Since Nuno's first game in charge of Forest on 23 December 2023, only Mohamed Salah (30) has scored more non-penalty Premier League goals than Wood (29). After 20 league goals last season, the Kiwi has made the perfect start to this new campaign!
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
14:14
Forest are purring now! It's wonderful combination on the right side as Ndoye fires the ball into Anderson who flicks the ball first time into the path of Gibbs-White inside the area, but the skipper's shot is blocked. Moments later, Anderson is found inside the area but his volley is skewed horribly wayward.
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
14:11
Timed at exactly five minutes - Wood's opener is Nottingham Forest's fastest ever opening game goal. They have avoided defeat on the last five occasions when scoring first in the league.
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
14:07
Goal Chris Wood
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
14:07
Williams lifts a decent ball over the top searching for the run of Ndoye but Collins comes across sharply and knocks the debutant to the ground firmly. Hudson-Odoi then beats Lewis-Potter down the left flank and his cross is turned behind for a corner by Collins.
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
14:05
Murillo concedes possession with a sloppy pass into midfield as the game gets off to a sedate start. Both sides a little wayward so far as Yarmoliuk then miscontrols in a good position for the visitors.
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
14:02
After a minutes silence in memory of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, we're underway at the City Ground as the home side get us going!
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
13:57
The players make their way out onto the pitch for the first time in the Premier League this season...
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
13:52
Did you know that in Antoni Milambo (20), Michael Kayode (21), and Yehor Yarmoliuk (21), Brentford have started three players aged 21 or younger in a Premier League game for the very first time, as Andrews looks to shepherd in the post-Mbeumo and Wissa generation.
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
13:47
Andrews’ first Premier League XI sees starts for new signings Kelleher, Kayode and Milambo, whilst Henderson makes the bench. As expected, Wissa is not in the squad at all as rumours of a move to Newcastle continue to swirl. That means it is an excellent opportunity for Brazilian forward, Thiago, to finally stake his claim as the Bees’ main man, after an injury-hit start to life in England following a £30m move from Club Brugge in 2024. One of last season’s other star men, Mikel Damsgaard, misses today’s game for the birth of his child.
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
13:47
It’s a Premier League debut for £36m winger, Ndoye, as Nuno stays otherwise true to the core of players that gained European qualification last season. Forest captain Gibbs-White, who has signed a new three-year deal after being linked with a move away, starts in midfield behind last season’s top scorer, Wood. New signings Jesus and Cunha make the bench whilst Hutchinson and McAtee deals were not completed in time to be included today.
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
13:41
NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-2-3-1): Matz Sels; Neco Williams, Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic, Ola Aina; Elliot Anderson, Ibrahim Sangaré, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Morgan Gibbs-White, Dan Ndoye; Chris Wood.
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
13:41
BRENTFORD (4-2-3-1): Caoimhin Kelleher; Rico Henry, Sepp van den Berg, Nathan Collins, Michael Kayode; Yehor Yarmoliuk, Mathias Jensen, Fabio Carvalho, Antoni Milambo, Keane Lewis-Potter, Igor Thiago.
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
13:41
SUBS: Hakon Valldimarsson; Aaron Hickey; Jordan Henderson; Kevin Schade; Frank Onyeka; Kristoffer Ajer; Myles Peart-Harris; Mads Roerslev; Benjamin Arthur
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
13:41
SUBS: Angus Gunn; Morato; Taiwo Awoniyi; Igor Jesus; Jota Silva; Ryan Yates; Jair; Willy Boly; Zach Abbott.
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
13:36
After both enjoying successful 2024/25 campaigns, the summer transfer window has been a difficult one for Forest and Brentford fans alike. Despite qualifying for the UEFA Conference League, Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo publicly voiced concerns this week over the club’s lack of energy in the market, stating that his squad doesn’t feel ready for the campaign. That said, they have replaced Anthony Elanga with Swiss winger Dan Ndoye, signed highly-rated Brazilian pair, Jair Cunha and Igor Jesus, and last evening announced deals for Man City’s James McAtee and Ipswich’s Omari Hutchinson. As for Brentford - new boss Keith Andrews has a stern test on his hands. With the loss of Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United and Yoanne Wissa absent from the squad amid strong Newcastle speculation, the Bees have had the heart of their attack ripped right out. Former captain Christian Norgaard also departed for Arsenal and goalkeeper Mark Flekken has left for Bayer Leverkusen. All in all, without the tactical expertise of Thomas Frank, who ended a seven year stint as head coach by moving to Spurs this summer, Brentford may struggle to come anywhere close to last season’s respectable tally of 56 points. Some even have them as early relegation candidates. Opta’s win predictor has this one at 44.8% in favour of the home side - but Brentford have never lost their opening Premier League game in any of their four seasons in the top flight.
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
13:30
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Nottingham Forest vs Brentford on the opening weekend of the 2025/26 Premier League season at the City Ground!
Nottingham Forest vs Brentford
12:00
Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
