Man City vs Brentford Match Preview
Man City host Brentford at the Etihad on Tuesday in the Premier League. The reigning champions are looking to keep the pressure on Liverpool with a win as the title race heats up.
The momentum is in their favour, with City winning their last 11 games in a row across all competitions, including six in the league. In mid-December, their title defence appeared to be in tatters after four winless matches as the three-time defending champions slipped to fourth in the rankings. Fast forward your calendar by just two months, and City are back in the race with the prospect of a fourth consecutive top-flight crown very much a possibility.
Just two weeks ago, the Sky Blues had beaten the Bees 3-1 at the Gtech Community Stadium. Neal Maupay had put them 1-0 up after 21 minutes, but a hat-trick from Phil Foden turned the tie on its head as City walked away with all three points.
A league double for Pep Guardiola’s swashbuckling team is almost certain, given Brentford’s capitulation to Liverpool on Saturday. The Reds thumped Thomas Frank’s side 4-1 as they lost the third of their last four top-flight matches.
With just 25 points from 24 games, the west London side are down in 14th position, just six points clear of the relegation zone. Another loss here, which is very likely, which will push them closer to it.
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Team News
Manchester City
Just until a week ago, City held the distinction of being the only English side without any injuries. Today, they have three, with Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish and Josko Gvardiol all picking up a knock in the midweek.
Gvardiol missed their Champions League clash with Copenhagen just hours before the kick-off, whereas Silva and Grealish both went off in the first half of the match after injuring themselves. All three are now doubtful for the clash.
Mateo Kovacic has returned to training but his participation isn’t confirmed either.
Predicted XI: Ederson, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake; Rodri; Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez, Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku; Erling Haaland
Brentford
The Bees are walking wounded right now too, with as many as five players currently on the injury list. Bryan Mbeumo, Aaron Hickey, Josh DaSilva, Rico Henry and Kevin Schade all missed their clash with Liverpool and remain doubtful for Tuesday too.
Striker Ivan Toney has scored in four of their last five Premier League matches, and will be the single biggest threat coming from the side. Neal Maupay is also expected to start again, playing alongside Toney in a two-pronged attack.
Predicted XI: Mark Flekken; Nathan Collins, Ethan Pinnock, Ben Mee; Mads Roerslev, Mathias Jensen, Christian Norgaard, Vitaly Janelt, Sergio Reguilon; Ivan Toney, Neal Maupay
Head-To-Head
There have been 18 clashes between the sides before, with City winning 10 times over Brentford and losing on seven occasions. The fixture has produced just one draw in history, a 0-0 stalemate in the League Division One, back in 1936.
Last 5 games, head-to-head
Brentford 1-3 Manchester City (Premier League, February 2024)
Brentford 1-0 Manchester City (Premier League, May 2023)
Manchester City 1-2 Brentford (Premier League, November 2022)
Manchester City 2-0 Brentford (Premier League, February 2022)
Brentford 0-1 Manchester City (Premier League, December 2021)
Brentford pulled off a spectacular league double over City last season, beating them home and away to become just the fifth team to accomplish the feat in Pep Guardiola era.
This season, however, City have got back at them, pulling off a 3-1 victory just two weeks ago in west London. Given their contrasting run of form right now, Brentford are set for another loss against the holders.
Prediction
Manchester City are the overwhelming favourites to prevail here, given their explosive run of form. The Sky Blues have won their last 11 games in a row at the time of writing, and remain unbeaten in their last 14. Brentford, though, have lost three of their last four, as the side has been cut open decisively at the back. Such a fragile defence isn’t going to help them against the likes of Erling Haaland and Phil Foden.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Brentford
Betting Tips and Odds
Betting Tips
- Manchester City to win
- Over 2.5 goals
- Both teams to score: No
Odds
- Manchester City to win: 1.24
- Draw: 8.50
- Brentford to win: 15.00
Man City vs Brentford Timings & Telecast
- Date and Time: Tuesday, 20th February at 07:30 PM (GMT)
- India: Star Sports Select 1, Star Sports Select 1HD, Star Sports Select 2
- UK: Sky Sports
- US: ESPN
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