Brentford will face Luton Town at the Gtech Community Stadium in a Premier League fixture on Saturday.
The Bees have gone two games without a win and are 11th in the table. They were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal at home last weekend following a late strike from substitute Kai Havertz. So, Thomas Frank and his men will be desperate to bounce back against Luton Town.
The Hatters, meanwhile, ended their six-game winless run by beating Crystal Palace 2-1 at Kenilworth Road on Saturday. As the likes of Sheffield United, Everton and Burnley lost their respective games over the weekend, Rob Edwards’ side managed to earn a four-point lead above the relegation zone.
Both teams are coming into this fixture off the back of contrasting results. That being said, let us take a look at the key battles that could define the outcome of this game in West London.
#Bryan Mbeumo vs Amari’i Bell
In Ivan Toney’s absence, Bryan Mbeumo has spearheaded the Brentford attack well alongside Yoane Wissa. The Cameroon international has been the Bees’ standout player with six goals and two assists in 13 appearances. Not only he is a good finisher but also capable of setting up his teammates with incisive through balls in the final third.
So, one player that the Luton defence should try to keep under their radar if they intend to secure a victory in this clash is Mbeumo, and the task could fall on the shoulders of Amari’i Bell. Expected to start as a left wing-back, Bell must stay defensively solid as well as look to get forward whenever an opportunity presents for himself. By doing so, he could pin Mbeumo back and nullify Brentford’s biggest threat going forward.
#Ross Barkley vs Christian Norgaard
Ross Barkley is a key player of this Luton side, and while he has yet to register a goal or an assist so far this season, he still remains their most creative player. Expected to start in a deeper midfield role, the ex-England international will look to make those incisive passes between the lines to carve open the opponent’s backline.
For Brentford, Christian Norgaard will be assigned the job to stop Barkley from getting time and space on the ball. The Dane must dispossess the Luton midfielder frequently and not allow him to find his teammates in the final third. If he can stop the Englishman from having an influence in the game, Brentford’s chances of winning the game will become higher.
#Carlton Morris vs Ethan Pinnock
Carlton Morris is Luton’s top scorer with three goals, and he will provide their biggest threat in attack—something Brentford will be wary of. Monitoring his movements in the box is difficult as he is always on the move, thus, making him a tricky customer to mark.
Meanwhile, Ethan Pinnock is currently in his form and has been among the standout performers for his team in recent games. However, the centre-back will have to be at his best if he intends to silence Morris in this clash on Saturday.