Brentford vs Manchester City
English Premier League, KO: 20:00 Feb 5, 2024, G-Tech Community Stadium
BRENTFORD were Manchester City's bogey team last season but it would still be a massive surprise if the Premier League champions slipped up on their latest visit to West London.
Few sides got the better of Pep Guardiola's men as they romped to an historic treble but the Bees defeated them in both league meetings, helping to secure an impressive ninth-placed finish.
This Premier League campaign has been more challenging for Thomas Frank's side, mainly due to a lengthy ban dished out to star man Ivan Toney. The striker has underlined his worth to the team by scoring twice since his return but his midweek strike wasn't enough to save Brentford from a 3-2 defeat at Tottenham.
That loss has left the Bees sitting just four points above the drop zone and they now have a tough run of fixtures that sees them face Manchester City and Liverpool three times in their next four matches.
The champions were rocking a little at the start of December but winning the Club World Cup seems to have sparked them back to vibrant life again. Since returning from Saudi Arabia, Manchester City have racked up six domestic victories in a row, the latest coming in midweek as they battered Burnley 3-1.
Key men Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland are now fit again after long injury absences and if Guardiola's men win their game in hand they will be just two points behind leaders Liverpool.
A stunning run of form from January onwards last year propelled Manchester City towards their treble and only a brave man would bet against a fourth successive Premier League crown as they gear up for a repeat.
How the bookies view it
Despite those two shock wins last season, Brentford are rank outsiders for this game at 13/2 with Bet365. Manchester City's best price is just 9/20 with the same firm while the draw pays 4/1 at Unibet.
Recent head to head
Brentford won 1-0 when Manchester City last came calling thanks to Ethan Pinnock's late winner and that came after Toney's last-gasp winner in their 2-1 triumph at the Etihad. But in Brentford's first season back in the top flight it was Guardiola's side who came out on top both times, with Phil Foden scoring the only goal at the G-Tech Community Stadium.
Players to watch
I cashed in by backing Toney to score on his return against Nottingham Forest and the Brentford talisman will fancy his chances again in this game after netting twice against City last term. He's 13/5 with Bet365 to score in a third successive game and that looks a bit overpriced.
Haaland came off the bench for his comeback game in midweek but Julian Alvarez has been doing a great job leading the line in his absence. The young Argentine hit a double in the win over Burnley and is 7/5 at Unibet to add to his 15-goal tally this term.
Anything else catch the eye?
Brentford haven't kept a clean sheet since October and have conceded two goals or more in their last three outings. That suggests Manchester City could get plenty of joy in attack and Coral price the champions at 11/10 to score in both halves.
Bees skipper Christian Norgaard was booked in the defeat to Spurs and was a bit lucky not to pick up a second yellow late in the game. He has 10 bookings for club and country this term and is 21/10 at BetVictor to fall foul of the ref again.
Guardiola's attacking philosophy usually gives opponents a few sniffs at goal so it might be worth backing over 3.5 Brentford shots on target at 21/20 with Unibet. The same firm also price Bees striker Neal Maupay at evens just to get an effort on target.
This English Premier League match between Brentford and Manchester City will be played on Feb 5, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Brentford vs Manchester City prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
