Football Tips: Elanga on form in this 26/1 Brentford v Nottingham Forest Bet Builder

Here's five picks for Saturday evening's Premier League clash.

Brentford v Nottingham Forest Bet Builder betting tips, premier league, saturday 20th january 2024

Brentford v Nottingham Forest Betting Tips

Both Teams to Score
Under 3.5 Nottingham Forest Corners
Anthony Elanga to Score or Assist
Nottingham Forest Goalkeeper to make 3 or more Saves
Nottingham Forest to Receive the Most Cards

Brentford v Nottingham Forest
Premier League match at the Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford
TV: Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event, 5:30pm

Both Teams to Score

Both Brentford and Nottingham Forest come into this game off the back of FA Cup replays that finished 3-2 after going to extra time, with Forest beating Blackpool on Wednesday night and Brentford losing to Wolves on Tuesday. Supporters of both sides have seen a lot of goals in recent weeks, although not always for their own team.

Forest, under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo, have certainly found an attacking impetus in recent weeks, scoring 12 goals in their first five games under the Portuguese manager. However, they have yet to keep a clean sheet, conceding nine goals in the same number of games.

Brentford, on the other hand, have scored and conceded in each of their last five games in all competitions but have been far loss prolific and far more leaky. Thomas Frank’s side have scored six times in their last five games while simultaneously letting in 13.

The Bees have been in a terrible run of form and are in desperate need of a result. Whether they get it or not is another question entirely.

However, Brentford and Forest have both found the back of the net in each of their three previous Premier League encounters and there is nothing to suggest that they won’t continue that record.

Under 3.5 Nottingham Forest Corners

Forest may have started to find the back of the net under Nuno, but the Portuguese manager remains a pragmatic coach. The away side boast the fourth-lowest possession average in the Premier League this season and have yet to record more than 50% in a league game under their new boss.

They have also attempted the third-fewest shots per game in the league this season, averaging 11 efforts per game and are still averaging that many shots under Nuno in his three league games in charge. With that in mind, Forest are unlikely to win a whole lot of corners, especially playing away from home.

The travelling side have won three corners or fewer in four of their last five away league games, the only exception being against a similarly anti-possession West Ham side (when they won four). There is every chance that they will win three or fewer.

Anthony Elanga to Score or Assist

Anthony Elanga is enjoying an excellent season since swapping Old Trafford for the City Ground in the summer and the Forest winger looks especially rejuvenated since Nuno’s appointment. Elanga has scored once and assisted three times in Forest’s first three league games under the Portuguese, scoring against Bournemouth before registering two assists against Newcastle and one against his former club United.

The former Red Devil has registered six Premier League assists this season, double that of the next-highest Forest player, while he is also their second-highest goalscorer with four league goals to his name. He missed both games against Blackpool with a knock but appears likely to return to the starting line-up and can continue his excellent league form.

Nottingham Forest Goalkeeper to make 3 or more Saves

Forest have faced an average of five shots on target per game in their first five games under Nuno, including two games against League One Blackpool. They have conceded 35 shots on target in their last six league games and are likely to come under significant pressure against a Brentford side desperate for a win.

The Bees have lost each of their last five league games, falling to 16th in the league table, just three points above the relegation zone. They require a big performance against Forest and are likely to pepper the goal with shots.

Frank’s side average over four shots on target per game this season and are likely to meet that average against an opponent that presents its opponents with opportunities. Matt Turner could be relatively busy.

Nottingham Forest to Receive the Most Cards

Neither Forest nor Brentford boast particularly poor disciplinary records and there is very little to separate them in the Premier League disciplinary table. Forest are the more aggressive of the two sides, but only just.

They have picked up 44 yellow cards and three red cards in 20 league games to date, while Brentford have received 42 bookings and one sending off. Both commit a similar number of fouls per game, with Numo’s side committing an average of 11.3 compared to Brentford’s average of 10.8.

In each Premier League away game this season, Forest have either picked up more cards or picked up the same number of cards as their opponent and they are good value to shade the card battle.

Brentford v Nottingham Forest Bet Builder Tips

Both Teams to Score
Under 3.5 Nottingham Forest Corners
Anthony Elanga to Score or Assist
Nottingham Forest Goalkeeper to make 3 or more Saves
Nottingham Forest to Receive the Most Cards

All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

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