Two clubs separated by a solitary point in the Premier League table meet in West London on Saturday afternoon as fourth-placed Brentford host ninth-placed Liverpool.
Andoni Iraola suffered his first defeat as Liverpool manager last weekend, as his side fell to a 0-3 defeat at home to Premier League leaders Manchester City – on an afternoon in which two of my three selections cruised in.
The game changed just past the hour mark when Ryan Gravenberch was shown his second yellow card, before three goals in the space of 13 minutes gave the Cityzens all three points.
However, the Reds returned to winning ways in the Champions League on Wednesday night, as they won 3-6 away to reigning Austrian champions LASK.
Brentford come into this clash in fourth position in the Premier League table following a 2-2 draw away at Villa Park against Aston Villa last weekend.
Yehor Yarmoliuk had initially given the Bees an early lead but trailed 2-1 in the 77th minute, before a rare goal from ex-Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer rescued a point.
That draw means Keith Andrews’ hosts remain unbeaten in the Premier League this season (W2-D4-L0), with both wins being 3-0 home successes over London duo Spurs and Chelsea.
How the bookies view it: Brentford favourites
Brentford actually come into this clash as slight favourites to claim all three points, with bet365 pricing a home success at 11/8.
Liverpool are 8/5 to follow up their victory in Linz on Wednesday night, whilst the draw is 11/4.
Head to head: Two unbeaten for the Bees
Liverpool dominated the opening eight Premier League meetings between these two sides, winning six and losing just once (W6-D1-L1).
However, the Bees took four points from their two fixtures with Liverpool last season, including a 3-2 success in the corresponding fixture.
Players to watch: Bradley to bag again?
It’s been a tough start at Liverpool for Bradley Barcola following his big-money move from PSG in the summer.
However, the French international will have gotten a massive boost following his hat-trick in Austria on Wednesday night, and appeals at 5/4 at bet365 to Score or Assist in West London on Saturday.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Predicted line-ups:
Brentford will be without the injured Joshua Dasilva, Antoni Milambo, Nathan Collins, Mikkel Damsgaard and Kevin Schade.
Liverpool are still missing Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo due to injury, whilst Ryan Gravenberch is suspended.
Brentford: Kelleher, Kayode, Ajer, Schuster, Diouf, Janelt, Yarmoliuk, Anthony, Lewis-Potter, Ouattara, Thiago
Liverpool: Alisson, Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Nyoni, Munoz, Wirtz, Barcola, Koumas
Anything else catch the eye?
Brentford have shown how hard they are to beat this season, as they rescued a point to draw 2-2 at Villa Park against Aston Villa.
The Bees remain one of three teams that are still unbeaten in the Premier League this season, but four of their six matches have resulted in draws.
Liverpool claimed a high-scoring win in Linz in midweek, but three of their six Premier League matches have resulted in a draw, meaning I’m leaning towards another stalemate in West London on Saturday afternoon.
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