In Saturday’s early Premier League game at home against Brentford, Manchester City may once more overtake league leaders Arsenal.
Erling Haaland’s injury-time penalty gave the champions their 2-1 Etihad victory over Fulham last week after they had to work for it.
After Joao Cancelo was sent off in the first half, Pep Guardiola afterwards hailed his team’s effort as one of the greatest in his seven years in command.
To keep up their momentum, City defeated Chelsea 2-0 in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday, but the Bees were eliminated on penalties the previous evening by struggling League Two Gillingham.
That wasn’t exactly the best way to get ready for the very different challenge of playing a side that defeated them both at home and away in their two Premier League meetings last season.
Predictions
In that they rarely cede the ball in spots that enable quick transitions and counterattacks, nor are they aerially vulnerable at set-pieces, Manchester City matches up exceptionally well to Brentford.
Last season, the champs easily defeated the Bees in both games, and they should easily secure another three points by the time the game is over on Saturday.
Guardiola’s team should have it easier with Haaland available; even though they don’t appear as strong without the Norwegian, they have far too much quality in the attacking third to worry about Brentford’s defense.
Stats
One of Brentford’s five league away victories over the Citizens came on Christmas Day 1937, a 2-0 top-flight victory.
Since winning 14 straight matches in the 2017–18 season, Manchester City has won each of their last 11 home Premier League games.
Only Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, and Wolves have accrued less road points than Frank’s club this season, making Brentford one of four Premier League teams without a road victory.
In the equivalent game last season, which City won 2-0, the Bees were caught offside 10 times, which is the most by a team in a Premier League game since Stoke vs. Huddersfield in January 2018. (also 10).
Team updates
Cancelo is available for selection despite receiving a red card against Fulham after serving his one-match suspension in the League Cup in midweek.
The three central defenders in the City backline this season have typically been John Stones, Manuel Akanji, and Nathan Ake. The Portugal international will almost probably start this weekend.
The midfield trio of Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, and Bernardo Silva may start, with Haaland, Phil Foden, and Jack Grealish being the front-runners.
While Kalvin Phillips, who played his first minutes since mid-September on Wednesday, is probably going to sit again, Julian Alvarez, who started his fifth straight game, is due for a break.
Christian Norgaard, the captain of Brentford, had his first appearance since late August and played until halftime against Gillingham.
The international player from Denmark is expected to be a bench option as he progressively returns to the first squad after suffering an Achilles injury.
Thomas Frank, who acknowledged Vitaly Janelt has a “minor muscle injury,” will continue to start Ivan Toney up front despite his weekend suspension.
The German was disqualified from the League Cup match as a result, and it is unclear whether he will be able to push his way back into the starting lineup at the Etihad Stadium.
According to Frank, Pontus Jansson, Aaron Hickey, Shandon Baptiste, and Kristoffer Ajer won’t be available until after the World Cup.
