Brentford vs Nottingham Forest: A tale of two different dreams — Preview

What makes this a super interesting game is that before this particular fixture, the two teams in question were going through it.

The home side was on a run of six matches before they met Frank Lampard and his freebies team, Chelsea at Stamford Bridge where the Bees came out unscathed after a 2-0 win.

If the host enjoyed a free ride against the Blues, the Tricky Trees and their 11 matches without a win were up against it when they hosted FA Cup semifinalists, Brighton and Hove Albion.

But like the Bees, Forest escaped unscathed, though not without the expected scare from the Seagulls who opened the scoring in the game they eventually lost 3-1.

Another key thing about this encounter is the stake which is especially higher for the visitors, Forest.

While the home side Brentford still harbours hopes of a place in Europe next season, which I must admit remains ambitious (they are allowed to dream, please), Forest are battling for their Premier League status.

Therefore, those wins the last time have boosted either team heading into this weekend’s battle which makes it interesting to see who will consolidate to improve on their respective dreams when they go head-to-head this Saturday.

While both teams have some interesting players including Nigeria Super Eagles trio of Frank Onyeka for Brentford and Forest's duo Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis, Morgan Gibbs-White is the man to keep close tabs on for the away side and Bryan Mbeumo for the home side.

Both players were at the end of the decisive winners the last time but crucially have been in fine form recently.

Gibbs-White has been involved in three goals (2 goals, 1 assist) in his last two matches while Cameroonian forward Mbeumoa has contributed two goals (1 goal, 1 assist) in that period.

London has not been a happy hunting ground for the Reds this season having lost on their previous four visits with an average of two goals conceded per game.

Brentford have kept a remarkable 12 clean sheets in 16 matches at the Gtech Stadium. This game appears to be a daunting task for the Tricky Trees.

But they will take solace in their superior head-to-head in the last five meetings which have seen them pick up a win and a draw in the last two visits.