Nottingham Forest have learned their opponents for game week one in the Premier League for the 2025/65 campaign.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s plans are well underway for next season, with Igor Jesus set to sign for Forest shortly after the World Cup.
Nottingham Forest’s Premier League fixture list was announced this week, and with an opening day City Ground date against Brentford on the radar, the excitement levels will begin to build.
Forest’s first few games are all winnable, and the hope will be that the Reds can hit the ground running when things get underway in mid-August.
With just two months to go until the new campaign, the recruitment will need to crank up. However, with the first game now set, we’ve looked at how Espirito Santo’s team might look for the first match.
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How Nottingham Forest could line up vs Brentford on Premier League opening day
After a season that saw the Reds finish in seventh place and qualify for the UEFA Conference League, it will be vital that Forest try and prove they can keep establishing at this level, and with that in mind, a win over Brentford would be ideal.
We’re not sure who will sign and who won’t, so here is our way-too-early predicted line-up for the game against Brentford on Trentside.
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Matz Sels
In goal, it seems there are no plans for a new goalkeeper this summer and even if that changes, it will surely only be to sign someone who can act as a back-up to Sels following his 13 clean sheets during 2024/25.
Ola Aina
Aina has been linked with Manchester City. However, he’s triggered another year extension on his contract, and there is no chance that he’s moved on this summer, with a new deal likely to be in the offing instead.
Nikola Milenkovic
The Player of the Year would be the pick as club captain in the eyes of some, and he will once again be vitally important to the Forest fortunes during the 2025/26 campaign.
Murillo
The left-sided central defender looks like he will remain at Forest at least for another season, and alongside Milenkovic, he was outstanding last season.
Cuiabano
Cuiabano is the subject of interest from Forest, and he could become the team’s left-back next season. Neco Williams got injured on international duty, and that could lead to him missing the start of the season – although that’s unconfirmed.
Douglas Luiz
Leeds have been linked with the midfielder and Forest can’t let another club land Luiz. If the former Aston Villa player is available this summer, it’s vital that the Reds go for him, and he could be a game-changing signing.
Elliot Anderson
Currently away on international duty, Anderson was brilliant during 2024/25, and he should take on the mantle of the team’s number eight once again next season.
Igor Jesus
Jesus has waved goodbye to Botafogo supporters, and he should be a Forest player for the start of the campaign. In the short term, he might play out wide, though, and if Anthony Elanga goes to Newcastle, that could free up a space.
Morgan Gibbs-White
Manchester City were interested in Gibbs-White for a while, but ultimately, it looks like he will stay for another season. Gibbs-White has picked the fixture he’s looking forward to the most, and he will likely remain the captain for next season.
Callum Hudson-Odoi
Hudson-Odoi has been linked with Napoli and Manchester United this summer but we fancy that he will stay and the hope will be that Forest sign him to a new contract in the coming weeks before the season starts.
Yoane Wissa
Finally, it would be harsh for Chris Wood not to start the season after scoring 20 goals, but if Forest land Yoane Wissa this summer, he will surely lead the line. Wissa is a long-term target for the Reds and if they do get a deal over the line, he will play against his former club on the opening day.
Predicted Nottingham Forest line-up vs Brentford in the Premier League
Predicted Nottingham Forest line-up vs Brentford in the Premier League