Brentford vs Manchester City

Brentford Community Stadium is the venue as Brentford and Manchester City go head-to-head in their first-ever Premier League encounter.

After a new COVID-19 outbreak in the Premier League caused a two-game hiatus, Brentford returned to top-flight action with an underwhelming 2-0 loss at Brighton on Boxing Day. Consistency has not been Brentford’s strong suit lately, as none of their last seven Premier League fixtures have featured the same outcome twice in a row (W2, D2, L3). Since holding Liverpool to an all-action 3-3 draw in late September, none of the ‘Bees’ last five Premier League home games have ended level (W2, L3). Thomas Frank’s men have gone from three consecutive defeats to back-to-back victories, both of which came by a single-goal margin. Though it looks a bit unrealistic at this point, a potential triumph over the Premier League pacesetters would see the London outfit record three top-flight home wins on the bounce for the first time since 1939.

That’s not only because Manchester City dictate proceedings in the Premier League, but also due to the visitors’ intimidating recent form. Since falling to a 2-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace in October, the ‘Citizens’ have put together nine consecutive Premier League triumphs, scoring a staggering 17 goals across their last three league outings. Pep Guardiola’s side claimed an overwhelming 6-3 home win over Leicester City on Boxing Day, netting 2+ goals on either side of half-time for the third top-flight game running. Despite suffering four losses in their last ten Premier League visits to London (W5, D1), Man City can draw inspiration from their outstanding away form against newly-promoted sides. They have won each of their last three away top-flight matches against the Premier League newcomers by an aggregate score of 11-1, last enjoying a longer winning streak in such fixtures a decade ago under Roberto Mancini (6).