By Ian King
Current data
Have Manchester Metropolis turned a nook? It is perhaps controversial which you can’t learn an excessive amount of into their 8-0 win in opposition to Salford within the FA Cup, however this was one other constructive outcome, following on from successive Premier League wins in opposition to Leicester Metropolis and West Ham United.
Brentford, in the meantime, had ended a run of 1 win in six by beating Southampton 5-0 away from house final outing within the league, however their 1-0 house Cup defeat to Plymouth might have indicated that they won’t be out of this stoop simply but.
Historical past
Metropolis have received each sport between the 2 golf equipment going again to September 1989, apart from the 2022/23 season, when the Bees did the double over them, beating them 2-1 at The Etihad and 1-0 on the Gtech Group Stadium. When the 2 golf equipment met earlier this season Metropolis received 2-1, although they needed to come again from a aim behind after Yoane Wissa had given Brentford a first-minute lead.
Key gamers
It’s totally doable that he might not begin, however there could also be eyes being directed in the direction of Kyle Walker following information that he could possibly be open to leaving Metropolis to play overseas. The identical goes for Jack Grealish, who transformed a penalty in opposition to Salford however nonetheless wants to start out delivering once more. May Pep Guardiola be tempted to present James McAtee a run out? In any case, he scored a hat-trick in lower than twenty minutes final weekend.
There are two key figures within the Brentford squad. Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo have scored 17 of Brentford’s 27 Premier League house targets between them this season, and if Brentford can exploit what continues to be a barely improvised Manchester Metropolis defence there might but be rewards available.
Workforce Information
Rico Lewis will stand in for Metropolis ought to Walker have performed his final sport for the membership, although this stays unconfirmed for now. None of Metropolis’s current absentees are anticipated to return. Brentford’s damage checklist, in the meantime, is beginning to look worrying, with Josh Dasilva (knee), Ethan Pinnock (thigh), Kristoffer Ajer (ankle), Ben Mee (unspecified), Aaron Hickey (thigh), Igor Thiago (knee), Gustavo Nunes (again) and Ryan Trevitt (achilles) all prone to be lacking.
Prediction
Brentford’s current dip in kind was masked by a simple win at Southampton, as their efficiency in opposition to Plymouth appeared to substantiate, and whereas they’re comfy in mid-table, they’ve been inconsistent all season.
For Manchester Metropolis, it will really feel like a winnable take a look at of current progress made. Each Leicester and West Ham have been poor in opposition to them, and the Salford outcome can’t actually be held as a comparability for what they may have to do within the Premier League. However Metropolis usually come good within the second half of the season and that’s the place we’re proper now, so I’m going for them to edge this 2-1.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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