Brentford vs Manchester City

Manchester City’s Premier League title defense faces a potential banana skin as they make a tricky journey to the Gtech Community Stadium to encounter Brentford.

Despite grabbing an early lead in the midweek Premier League London derby against Tottenham, Brentford finished on the receiving end of a 3-2 scoreline, extending their ominously-looking streak to six defeats in their last seven league outings (W1). Ivan Toney’s long-awaited return from suspension for breaching betting rules inspired the ‘Bees’ to a 3-2 victory against Nottingham Forest in their most recent home league match. However, to win back-to-back Premier League matches at the Gtech Community Stadium for the first time since October/November, Thomas Frank’s men must defy the odds, as they did in a narrow 1-0 triumph in this corresponding fixture last season. In fact, Brentford were the only side in the 2022/23 Premier League campaign to pull off a league double over an all-conquering Manchester City side.

Nothing of the sort should happen this time, with Pep Guardiola’s high-flying squad putting a lowly Burnley side to the sword in their last Premier League outing (3-1) to make it eight consecutive wins in all competitions. As Liverpool slumped to a 3-1 loss at Arsenal, the reigning Premier League holders can reduce the gap to a mere two points with a win in London. With a game in hand and an incredible run of form, the ‘Citizens’ seemed destined to return to the top of the tree and accelerate their pursuit of an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title. Adding to this sentiment, they’re the division’s joint-best-performing away side, having racked up 22 points on their travels this term. That’s not to mention they’ve won their last three top-flight games on the road despite conceding on each occasion.