Nottm Forest 0-0 Brentford
Minute's silence for Jota brothers
The Jota brothers are remembered on the pitch with a minute's silence, as they have been around the British football fraternity at the start of this season.
"Diogo and Andre, forever in our hearts" reads a banner placed in front of the dugouts.
McAtee and Hutchinson meet Forest faithful
Sky Sports News' Anton Toloui at the City Ground:
"A loud reaction for Forest’s new signings as they meet the fans for the first time.
"Where James McAtee fits into the this team, and whether Omari Hutchinson can get in ahead of Hudson-Odoi and Ndoye is for another day. The fans are happy they’re here and they want more.
"Will they be bemoaning the lack of signings after Brentford have come to town?"
Dawson: How Ndoye makes up for lacking Elanga pace
Sky Sports' Michael Dawson on Super Sunday:
"When Forest lost Elanga, he was one of those who got Forest up the pitch.
"Ndoye is very similar, but he doesn't quite have the same pace as Elanga. There's probably a bit more skill in him where he can face a player up, go past him - but I'm really excited.
"We saw him at Bologna playing on the left, but with Callum Hudson-Odoi here he's probably going to play on the right."
Team news reminder
Nottingham Forest team: Sels, Williams, Murillo, Milenkovic, Aina, Anderson, Sangare, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Ndoye, Wood.
Brentford team: Kelleher, Kayode, Van den Berg, Collins, Henry, Yarmoliuk, Jensen, Milambo, Carvalho, Lewis-Potter, Thiago.
Nuno pleas for 'more players' while starting his tried and trusted
Sky Sports News' Anton Toloui at the City Ground:
"For all of Nuno Espirito Santo’s talk about needing “more players” and a squad lacking balance, he only starts one of his new signings. Dan Ndoye has become a popular member of the changing room in just two weeks and his mission to replace the creativity, pace and assists of Anthony Elanga starts today.
"Igor Jesus and Jair watch from the bench as Nuno trusts ten of his soldiers from last season. The Portuguese coach is known for working with a small group of players but as many as five new players could be in the squad before Crystal Palace next Sunday. It's interesting times at the City Ground."
Keane: Huge opportunity for Andrews
Sky Sports' Roy Keane on Super Sunday:
"Try to win some games would be my advice! He's had a tough summer with some players leaving and the manager leaving, but he's been in that environment for the last year working there.
"What an opportunity to work in the Premier League. Even with all the problems they've had, there's still a good group of players and enough quality there. If they can get a few in, what an opportunity.
"He talks a good game, he always has. He just needs to back it up now. It's a good game for him today, they've got a good record at Nottm Forest, they've always been strong in terms of set-pieces - he's got to embrace it and see how he gets on."
How will Andrews fare in first managerial gig?
Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:
"Another point of intrigue is of course in the Brentford dugout, as Keith Andrews takes charge of his first game as manager, 13 years after his final Premier League appearance as a player for West Brom.
"Thomas Frank is a tough act to follow. Brentford overachieved under Frank's rule for years and now he's gone, the bookies make Brentford one of the favourites for relegation. I think that's hasty, but today should be a decent indicator of how together this team are following a summer of change."
Anticipation building...
Keane: Forest can have another good season
Sky Sports' Roy Keane on Super Sunday:
"Forest can have another good season. They faded towards the end of last season which showed how mentally tough it was for them.
"The manager doesn't look too upbeat today either and that's just his personality but you want a bit more energy from him.
"He obviously doesn't take too much notice of pre-season, and I still think there's enough in there for Forest to have a good season.
"They've got another couple of signings coming in and if they can do some business over the next week or two he'll be pleased."
Forest to struggle while juggling multiple competitions?
Nottingham Forest played some unsustainable football last season and it's very hard to see how they're going to improve on what they achieved.
Top goalscorer Chris Wood converted 30 per cent of his overall attempts in the Premier League last term, while goalkeeper Matz Sels enjoyed the season of his life, boasting the best save percentage in the league. They can't be expected to keep those numbers up.
And Forest return to Europe this season which is bound to influence the side's performance. If you exclude Conference League participants, non-big-six teams who qualify for Europe win around 14 points fewer in the campaign immediately following qualification.
That isn't too relevant for this devilishly difficult fixture to analyse from a betting perspective, but something to note when the fixtures start to pile up. This clash looks one where the draw is a huge runner at 12/5 with Sky Bet.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-1
New faces in town at City Ground
Sky Sports News' Anton Toloui at the City Ground:
"James McAtee and Omari Hutchinson are at the City Ground.
"Both will be presented to the fans before kick-off, giving Nuno Espirito Santo a much needed squad boost.
"Arnaud Kalimuendo is also in the area to complete his move from Rennes. That alone won't make the head coach happy, though - three points will help."
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Nuno emphasises Forest 'improvement'
Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo speaking on Sky Sports:
"Expectations are high, we have to improve many things of our game and that starts today. We have to focus on the game and hopefully get better, players are coming in to help us.
"The first step is always the basic topic we address, being strong and compact and not giving too many chances to our opponent."
Nuno explains frustrations ahead of season opener
WATCH: Andrews hails Brentford's young guns
Can Thiago impress with Wissa missing?
Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:
"As for Brentford, there are a few unknowns. It'll be interesting to see what Igor Thiago can offer after an interrupted start to his Bees career following a meniscus injury last season. He was signed for a club-record fee in 2024 and is yet to have a real opportunity to repay that.
"Yoane Wissa is absent, given ongoing transfer speculation, so there is an obvious void up top.
"Summer addition Caoimhin Kelleher starts in goal."
Strong XI from Nuno
Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:
"As expected from Nuno Espirito Santo - about as strong as Forest can line up. Ryan Yates is probably the only one who stakes a place in that starting XI. Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi and Wood are a fearsome front three. And I really like that central defensive partnership of Murillo and Milenkovic, as solid as they come."
Brentford team news
Brentford team: Kelleher, Kayode, Van den Berg, Collins, Henry, Yarmoliuk, Jensen, Milambo, Carvalho, Lewis-Potter, Thiago.
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Nottingham Forest team news
Nottingham Forest team: Sels, Williams, Murillo, Milenkovic, Aina, Anderson, Sangare, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Ndoye, Wood.
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