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Brentford will square up with Manchester City in a midweek Premier League fixture, as Thomas Frank’s side aim to stun the defending champions in west London.
The Bees went down 2-0 to Brighton at the weekend that left them 13th on the table. They will be keen to bounce back to winning ways but face a Manchester City side in scintillating form.
The Sky Blues have scored 18 goals in their last four league games, including six against Leicester City on Boxing Day. Pep Guardiola’s side are in a rampant mood at the moment and enter Wednesday’s contest as overwhelming favourites.
Brentford
Given the quick turnaround, Thomas Frank feels Rico Henry won’t be able to make it to the squad to face Manchester City. Charlie Goode, Joshua Dasilva and Mathias Jorgensen are all ruled out. Christian Norgaard is suspended having picked up his fifth yellow card in the last game, while Vitaly Janelt has tested positive for Covid-19.
Bryan Mbeumo remains touch and go with a tight calf and Mads Roerslev has an “outside chance” to feature after just recovering from Covid-19.
Alvaro Fernandes will continue deputising in goal in the injury absence of David Raya. He will be shielded by a back three of Ethan Pinnock, Mads Bech Sorensen and Pontus Jansson. Keeping Man City’s form in mind, the Bees’ backline could be in for a long evening on Wednesday.
Sergi Canos and Dominic Thompson are set to operate as wing-backs. In midfield, Frank Onyeka is likely to replace the suspended Christian Norgaard. Shandon Baptiste and Mathias Jensen will retain their spots in the middle of the park from the loss against Brighton.
Up front, Yoane Wissa is expected to support Ivan Toney in Bryan Mbeumo’s probable absence.
Manchester City
Kyle Walker remains a doubt due to his fitness issues; so, he may not be risked at Brentford along with Rodri, who has tested positive for Covid-19. John Stones also missed out on Sunday’s fixture due to a knock, making him doubtful for the midweek fixture.
Meanwhile, Ferran Torres has left the Sky Blues to join Barcelona, the Mancunian club confirmed on Tuesday.
Ederson will take up his spot in goal against Brentford. With Benjamin Mendy suspended and Kyle Walker a big doubt, Pep Guardiola is likely to stick with Joao Cancelo at right-back even though the in-form Portuguese was not pictured in training. This also makes Oleksandr Zinchenko a guaranteed starter in the Man City backline.
A quick turnaround could see Nathan Ake being handed a start in place of Aymeric Laporte. Ake will partner Ruben Dias at the back, as the Sky Blues look to keep a clean sheet after conceding three goals against Leicester.
In Rodri’s absence, Fernandinho is set to occupy the defensive midfield role again. The veteran Brazilian is likely to be accompanied by Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva. City’s midfield trio will look to get control of things as quickly as possible at Brentford.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola could ring some changes in attack with Jack Grealish and Gabriel Jesus most likely replacing Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez on either flank. Phil Foden is a versatile player who might operate as a false 9 against Thomas Frank’s side.
Brentford Predicted Lineup (3-5-2): Alvaro Fernandez; Ethan Pinnock, Mads Bech Sorensen, Pontus Jansson; Sergi Canos, Frank Onyeka, Shandon Baptiste, Mathias Jensen, Dominic Thompson; Yoane Wissa, Ivan Toney
Manchester City Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Ederson; Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Bernardo Silva, Fernandinho, Kevin De Bruyne; Gabriel Jesus, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish
Brentford—Ivan Toney
Ivan Toney is a strong, intimidating striker who can rustle a few feathers in the Man City backline. If he gets the right support from midfield, the 25-year-old has the qualities to cause problems to Guardiola’s side.
Manchester City—Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne is slowly starting to regain his lost mojo and his performance against Leicester was a clear indicator. He can do almost everything a central midfielder can only dream of, making him such a complete player. The Belgian could be key in unlocking the Brentford backline on Wednesday.
Prediction: Brentford 0-3 Manchester City
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