On Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 19:30 UTC, Manchester City will host Brentford at the Etihad Stadium for Round 18 of the Premier League.
Manchester City Form
In the recent highly anticipated clash between Manchester City and Chelsea, the teams played to a remarkable 1-1 draw. Chelsea took the lead with a goal by Sterling in the 42nd minute, leaving many spectators believing that City was on the verge of losing to Chelsea. However, in the 83rd minute, the matador Rodri emerged as the hero of the moment, scoring a crucial goal to level the score.
In their recent five outings, Manchester City has demonstrated a praiseworthy level of performance on the field. They secured victories over Burnley (3-1), Brentford (1-3), and Everton (2-0), showcasing an impressive knack for finding the back of the net. A particularly notable triumph came against FC Copenhagen, where they emerged victorious with a 1-3 scoreline. Despite facing a formidable opponent in Chelsea, the match ended in a 1-1 draw. This run underscores Manchester City's offensive prowess, having scored 12 goals while conceding only 4 and achieving a clean sheet, highlighting their well-rounded performance on both ends of the pitch.
Brentford Form
In a recent match, Brentford faced a 1-4 defeat against Liverpool. Brentford's Toney scored in the 75th minute, while Liverpool's Nunez found the net in the 35th minute, Mac Allister in the 55th minute, Salah in the 68th minute, and Gakpo in the 86th minute, securing a comprehensive victory for Liverpool at full time.
In their recent series of matches, Brentford showcased a mix of performances. They secured a narrow 3-2 victory against Nottingham Forest and experienced a setback with a 3-2 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur. However, Brentford faced challenges, losing 1-3 to Manchester City, and they defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-2. The team encountered a tough battle against Liverpool, resulting in a 1-4 defeat. Throughout these fixtures, Brentford demonstrated their attacking capabilities by scoring a total of 9 goals. However, defensively, they conceded 12 goals, managing only one clean sheet. Despite the mixed outcomes, Brentford's ability to find the back of the net remains evident, and they continue to strive for consistency in their overall performance.
Head to Head
In the five encounters between Manchester City and Brentford, Manchester City emerged victorious in three instances, while Brentford secured the win twice. None of the matches between Manchester City and Brentford concluded in a draw.
On February 5, 2024, the latest league clash between these teams occurred on match day 23 of the Premier League, concluding with a final score of Brentford 1-3 Manchester City.
Team news
With only one fitness concern, Manchester City's manager Pep Guardiola has a relatively healthy squad. Josko Gvardiol, dealing with an ankle ligament tear, is the sole player ruled out of contention.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank is currently facing limitations in team options due to several players being unavailable. Kevin Schade (Adductor injury), Aaron Hickey (Hamstring injury), Bryan Mbeumo (Ankle injury), Ryan Trevitt (Ankle surgery), and Rico Henry (Knee injury) are all unavailable for consideration.
Predicted Lineup
Manchester City possible lineup:
Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Stones, Ake; Rodri, Nunes; Silva, De Bruyne, Foden; Haaland
Brentford possible lineup:
Flekken; Ajer, Collins, Mee; Lewis-Potter, Janelt, Jensen, Norgaard, Reguilon; Toney, Wissa
Manchester City vs Brentford Prediction
Facing Manchester City after they have experienced a setback can be a formidable challenge, especially for a fragmented Brentford side that has already fallen victim to the attacking dominance of the Citizens earlier this month on their home turf. Both teams are disadvantaged by limited recovery time, but City only need a slightly more clinical performance than their recent match against Chelsea to regain their momentum. Achieving a similar scoreline to their victory at the Gtech Community Stadium is a feasible outcome.