Brentford will attempt to earn their third win of the season, against a Nottingham Forest side who go into the weekend in the bottom three in the table.

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes ahead of Saturday's meeting at Gtech Community Stadium (15:00 GMT).

In last weekend's draw against Hull City, Brentford conceded first for the first time in all competitions this season. It happened again against Sunderland in the EFL Cup in midweek, where they let in three goals in a 13-minute first-half spell.

Although ultimately fruitless, the Bees did at least fight back with two goals, one of which came in injury time from Igor Thiago, who will be hoping that can spark some league form.

The Brazil international scored 22 league goals in 2025-26, but he's managed just one in eight games so far this season despite an expected goals total of 3.79.

Luckily for him, his team-mates have been finding the net, with Brentford the only side other than leaders Manchester City to have scored in all eight of their Premier League games so far this season.

Jaidon Anthony has only contributed one but does have a good record against Nottingham Forest, scoring three goals in four Premier League appearances against them for Bournemouth and Burnley.

Two of those games ended in draws, which is something Brentford are making a habit of, having drawn five of their eight league matches this season.

At first glance, Nottingham Forest are in a similar position to last season. After eight games they have one more point (six to five in 2025-26) in 18th.

It was at this stage last season that Forest sacked their manager for the second time in the campaign, so current boss Oliver Glasner must be feeling a bit nervous.

But Glasner also had a slow start at former club Crystal Palace. He didn't win any of his opening six games in charge and the Eagles also didn't win any of their first eight in his first full season.

And while the results are similar to last season, the performances are more encouraging. As the Austrian has pointed out, Forest are creating opportunities. They are third in the Premier League for shots taken (137) and fifth for big chances created (19).

His side are sixth in the expected goals table (13.49) but joint-bottom when it comes to real goals (6). That xG underperformance comes out at -7.49, the biggest shortfall in the Premier League by some margin – a gap that was increased in the 1-1 draw against Ipswich last time out, when Forest had 17 shots and an xG of 2.29.

Glasner believes it's only a matter of time before the chances turn into goals, but Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is notoriously impatient where results are concerned, as four managers last season can confirm.