Brentford vs Manchester United

Brentford and Manchester United go head-to-head in their first-ever Premier League encounter at the Brentford Community Stadium.

Brentford turned a 1-0 HT deficit into a 2-1 victory over fellow newcomers Watford last time out, breaking a run of successive Premier League matches without winning (D1, L1). Having lost just once in their last five league outings (W2, D2), the ‘Bees’ head into proceedings tucked in mid-table comforts. Since an enthralling 3-3 draw with Liverpool in late September, none of Brentford’s subsequent five Premier League home games have ended level (W2, L3), with each match won/lost in that period yielding a narrow one-goal margin. Interestingly, three of their last four top-flight home matches have featured an identical 2-1 scoreline. Despite their topsy-turvy showings, Brentford can find some comfort in their eye-catching midweek form, as they are unbeaten in their last 11 league fixtures played on Tuesdays – European time zone (W5, D6).

In the meantime, new boss Ralf Rangnick has won his inaugural two Premier League matches in charge of Manchester United by an identical 1-0 scoreline. He could become the first-ever ‘Red Devils’ manager to keep a clean sheet in his first three league games at the helm. Since parting with former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the wake of a 4-1 thrashing at Watford in late November, Man United have gone unbeaten in four Premier League fixtures on the trot (W3, D1). Having won their last three Premier League outings by a single-goal margin, they could make it four league triumphs in a row for the first time this season. Adding to their confidence, they have avoided defeat in 12 consecutive Premier League visits to London sides since falling to a 2-0 loss at Arsenal in January 2020.