Brentford should be aiming to bounce back to winning ways in the Premier League on Tuesday evening when they travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City.
The Bees were brushed aside 4-1 by Liverpool at the Gtech Community Stadium in Saturday’s lunch-time kickoff. Owing to an eighth defeat from their last 10 top-flight fixtures, they remain at risk of being dragged deeper into the relegation dogfight.
Thomas Frank’s side will be out there to take revenge against a Man City side that marched to a 3-1 win in the reverse fixture earlier this month courtesy of Phil Foden’s fantastic hat-trick.
Brentford Team News
Brentford welcomed Frank Onyeka and Yoane Wissa back from the AFCON against Liverpool on Saturday. However, Ethan Pinnock was ruled out before the game with an ankle injury, and Thomas Frank has revealed the defender will not play again until after the March international break.
Pinnock joins Rico Henry, Kevin Schade, Bryan Mbeumo, Josh DaSilva and Aaron Hickey in the treatment table, although Hickey and Schade might be able to make their returns before the end of this month.
Predicted Brentford lineup vs Manchester City (3-5-2)
Goalkeeper
Mark Flekken will take his usual spot between the sticks, with Brentford lining up in a 3-5-2 formation in front of him against Man City. The Dutchman has to be at his sublime best to keep a clean sheet at the Etihad Stadium.
Defence
The central defensive unit should once again feature Nathan Collins, Kristoffer Ajer and Ben Mee. Ajer will start centrally, with Collins and Mee on either side of the Norwegian.
The trio must considerably improve their performances as anything close to that against Liverpool will be punished ruthlessly by Man City.
Midfield
Vitali Janelt, Mathias Jensen and Christian Norgaard will look to keep things tight and solid in the middle of the park. They are likely to be tasked with disrupting City’s free-flowing passing football, whilst distributing balls for the attacking players to carry on their good work.
Frank Onyeka and Mikkel Damsgaard could be introduced in the second half if Frank intends to add more steel to the midfield unit.
Mads Roerslev and Sergio Reguilon will be the wing-backs, providing width and energy in the final third as well as helping the centre-backs when required.
Attack
Ivan Toney will lead the Brentford attack again, supported by Yoane Wissa, who could replace Neal Maupay. The duo will look to combine well in the final third and cause problems for City’s defence.
