Nottingham Forest lineup vs. Brentford: Predicted XI for Forest's Premier League opener, as Wood vies with Jesus

Premier League football returns to the City Ground on Sunday, as Nottingham Forest host new-look Brentford in their season opener.

Forest may have lost Anthony Elanga to Newcastle United for a substantial fee, but Morgan Gibbs-White is still at the club and should start alongside summer signing Dan Ndoye.

With Callum Hudson-Odoi pencilled in on the left flank, the Swiss winger - scorer of Bologna's winning goal in last season's Coppa Italia final - will take Elanga's station on the right, supporting any one of three central strikers at Nuno's disposal.

Either Chris Wood, Taiwo Awoniyi or new striker Igor Jesus - who joined along with full-back Jair Cunha after Botafogo's trip to the Club World Cup - will lead Forest's attack.

Meanwhile, the Tricky Trees are well stocked in defence, where Nikola Milenkovic and another Brazilian, Murillo, are the most likely central pairing.

Following an impressive 2024-25 campaign, Matz Sels starts in goal once again, leaving Carlos Miguel to warm the bench.

Forest are missing versatile midfielder Nicolas Dominguez, who is ruled out by a knee injury, so Elliot Anderson may be paired with club captain Ryan Yates in the engine room. 

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup: Sels; Cunha, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Yates, Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood

> Click here to see how Brentford could line up for Sunday's Premier League contest