Brentford welcome Manchester United to Gtech Community Stadium in a Saturday teatime clash.
Thomas Frank’s Bees will be hoping to continue their solid start with a first home win of the season, whereas Utd will be looking to bounce back from an opening weekend loss.
Team News
Brentford have no fresh injury concerns to report after their comeback 2-2 draw at Leicester, as Kristoffer Ajer, Sergi Canos (both hamstring) and Ethan Pinnock (knee) remain absent.
Mikkel Damsgaard could make his debut for Brentford after joining in midweek from Sampdoria.
Man Utd will be without Victor Lindelof as he recovers from a knock which forced him to miss their opening weekend defeat at home to Brighton.
Anthony Martial (hamstring) is a doubt but Facundo Pellistri (ankle), Brandon Williams (unspecified) and Mason Greenwood (personal) are ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Brentford lost both of their two previous Premier League meetings against Manchester United (L2), losing both matches last season by an aggregate score of 6-1.
- Man Utd have won three of their six previous league visits to Brentford (W3, D1, L2).
- Utd scored first in both clashes against Brentford last season, courtesy of Anthony Elanga and Bruno Fernandes.
- Brentford have kept clean sheets in four of their last five home matches (W3, D1, L1).
- Utd have scored just one goal in their last five away matches (L5), courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo in a 3-1 defeat at Arsenal in April.
Prediction
Although poor marking saw Brentford fall 2-0 down away to Leicester, Thomas Frank’s Bees certainly grew in confidence throughout the match which showed in their attacking spirit, as wasted chances eventually became more clinical in the second-half which is a huge positive coming into this clash.
Man Utd meanwhile certainly made the worst possible start under Erik ten Hag because their first-half display against Brighton was gutless, with indecisive finishing mixed with awful defending yet still lacked the final touch despite a decent second half.
Improvement is therefore vital for Utd because if they start in the same manner like they did last week and Brentford pick up where they left off, this game could be beyond the visitors by half-time because these Bees look strong like they were in second half of last season.
In fact, I am plumping for a home win if Brentford turn up and target Utd’s weak defence but it is imperative that Utd don’t concede first if they’re to stand any chance to win here.
Prediction: Brentford 2-1 Manchester United
Result: Brentford 4-0 Manchester United
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