Manchester City continue their march towards the Premier League title as Pep Guardiola’s Citizens host Brentford at Etihad Stadium.
With Liverpool not in action until Thursday evening, victory would see City move 12 points clear of Jurgen Klopp’s Reds in the title race.
Brentford meanwhile can climb as high as 12th if Crystal Palace and Southampton both fail to win elsewhere.
Team News
Gabriel Jesus is expected to return for Man City after missing Saturday’s comeback FA Cup win against Fulham with a knock, which he had picked up whilst away on international duty for Brazil.
Cole Palmer (unspecified) and Benjamin Mendy (personal) remain absent.
Brentford could welcome Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa back into the squad following positive cases of Coronavirus.
Christian Eriksen (fitness) won’t be risked until he is match fit so is a doubt for this game.
Julien Jeanvier (knee), Mathias Jorgensen and Tarique Fosu (both hamstring) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Man City won their only previous Premier League meeting against Brentford (L1), prevailing 1-0 in West London in December 2021.
- Brentford are visiting Man City in the Premier League and at Etihad Stadium for the very first time but have won just one of their six previous trips in all competitions (W1, L5).
- City netted four goals in each of their last two home matches against Brentford, albeit at their former home – Maine Road (W2).
- Kevin De Bruyne has scored four goals in City’s last three home league games.
- Brentford have scored just one goal in their last three away league matches (L3), courtesy of Vitaly Janelt in a 4-1 loss at Southampton last month.
Prediction
Despite going unbeaten in their last 15 matches in all domestic competitions, Man City’s defence did seem sluggish in the first half of Saturday’s win over Fulham which is a slight worry but the team overall responded brilliantly to come back to win comfortably.
Brentford likewise have defensive issues of their own after a second-half meltdown in their FA Cup exit at Everton, which simply cannot be repeated even for a moment here or City will punish the Bees hard but Mbeumo’s return should add extra attacking intent.
In fact, I can see just one result coming here because the current gulf in form is too wide for Brentford to do much, although a narrow single goal loss or draw would be a morale booster for the visitors but I can’t see that happening here.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Brentford
Result: Manchester City 2-0 Brentford
Leave a Reply