LONDON rivals Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur commence their respective 2023-24 Premier League campaigns with a clash at the Brentford Community Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Last season, these two teams were separated by just one point, with the Bees finishing in ninth place, just one position behind Spurs in eighth spot.
That proved to be Brentford's best-ever league finish at the elite level of English football, with Thomas Frank's team swiftly dismissing any notions of second season syndrome surfacing in west London.
Brentford will be hoping for more of the same this time around and they will look to hit the ground running when Tottenham make the short trip across town this weekend.
Spurs' aforementioned eighth-placed finish last term was the club's lowest since the 2009-09 campaign, as the Antonio Comte project somewhat inevitably unravelled, and ultimately led to the Italians departure in March
Former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has since taken the reins in north London, and while the Lilywhites' style of play and attacking verve is likely to improve under the Aussie, Harry Kane's imminent exit could scupper any success.
Outright Betting
Despite avoiding defeat in 17 of their 19 Premier League home games last season, Brentford head into their opening match of the season as 15/8 (Bet 365) outsiders.
Last season's corresponding fixture ended all square and the same outcome here can be backed at 13/5 (UniBet) while a Tottenham victory has been chalked up at 11/8 (Bet 365).
Betting Angles
Given that goals are usually on the agenda when an Ange Postecoglou side are involved, I'm happy to side with Over 2.75 Goals here at 10/11 with Bet 365.
This selection would deliver a half-stakes profit should exactly three goals be scored with a full winner paid-out if the game generates four or more goals.
Even without Harry Kane, Tottenham are a team filled with goal-threatening talent, and that is evidenced by the fact that they failed to score in just four of their 38 Premier League fixtures last season.
However, at the other end of the park, Spurs have demonstrated a fairly regular inability to keep the back door shut for a number of seasons now, which doesn't bode well ahead of a trip to a Brentford side who struck in 17 of their 19 top-flight home games last term.
It's also worth pointing out that the Over 2.5 goal barrier was breached in both fixtures between the pair last season, and I see no reason to oppose a repeat here given that visitors are now led by a manager with an attack-minded ideology
With all of this in mind, I'm happy to support a high-scoring contest in the capital by siding with Over 2.75 Goals at 10/11 with Bet 365.
Given that Ange Postecoglou will need someone to step up and fill a Harry Kane-shaped hole, I'll also have a nibble on the even-money (PaddyPower) on Richarlison To Score Or To Be Shown A Card.
The bustling Brazilian looks set to play the central striker role Sunday and he should have more to feed off this season when operating in a forward-thinking system, not to mention he is no stranger to referees' notebooks having collected more cards than Premier League goals last season.
This English Premier League match between Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur will be played on Aug 13, 2023 and kick off at 14:00. Check below for our tipsters best Brentford vs Tottenham Hotspur prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.