Prediction: Manchester City vs Brentford

Verdict: Manchester City win to nil

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to head into the World Cup break with another flurry at the Etihad, Manchester City will host Brentford on Saturday lunchtime.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, managing to extend on their EFL Cup adventure earlier in the week with a 2-0 victory at home against Chelsea, Manchester City find themselves enjoying another real purple patch. Last seen on Premier League duties claiming a hard-fought 2-1 win at home against Fulham, Pep Guardiola’s side are tipped as a standout pick to defend their domestic crown this season. While the Sky Blues might open this weekend’s fixtures sat two points adrift of a high-flying Arsenal, the former Barcelona boss has seen his squad lose just a single top-flight defeat since opening the 2022/23 campaign. Likewise, breezing their way to the knockout stage of this year’s Champions League without breaking much of a sweat, City should be looking to lay down another marker on Saturday lunchtime. Likewise, it should also be noted, continuing on from last season, the reigning champions have won each of their last 11 straight Premier League contests at the Etihad.

Team News

Finding the net on his return from a knock in City’s 2-1 win against Fulham last weekend, Erling Haaland should make a full return on Saturday lunchtime and spearhead Guardiola’s charge.

After serving a one-match suspension earlier in the week, Joao Cancelo is available to free to feature here. However, despite receiving an England call-up for this month’s World Cup, Kyle Walker will miss out.

Brentford

As for the visitors, while Brentford might have gained plenty of plaudits since making their Premier League debut last season, the Bees appear to be enduring somewhat of a wobble. Shockingly crashing out of the EFL Cup at the hands of League Two outfit Gillingham in midweek, it has been suggested that there could be some pressure on Thomas Frank’s shoulders. Likewise, last seen on top-flight duties suffering last-gasp heartbreak away at Nottingham Forest as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 draw, Saturday’s guests have recorded just a single victory from any of their last eight matchups across all formats. With their extended rut stemming all the way back to September 3rd, Brentford are desperate to avoid being dragged into a relegation scrap. However, losing their back-to-back Premier League meetings against City by an aggregate score of 3-0, Frank’s side faces a huge task here.

Team News

Brentford have confirmed that the quartet of Kristoffer Ajer, Pontus Jansson, Thomas Strakosha and Aaron Hickey will once again miss out at the Etihad on Saturday lunchtime.

However, in what could be a boost for the Bees, Vitaly Janelt has returned to training and could feature this weekend. Likewise, Ivan Toney will make his Premier League return after serving a suspension.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off last season, Manchester City won each of their two Premier League meetings by a 3-0 aggregate.
• Continuing on from last season, Saturday’s hosts have won each of their last 11 Premier League contests at the Etihad.
• Brentford have managed to win just one of their previous eight matchups across all formats.
• Likewise, the Bees have also recorded just a single victory from any of their last eight appearances on the road.
• Erling Haaland has recorded 18 goals from his opening 12 Premier League appearances this season.

Conclusion

Coming past Chelsea earlier in the week and extending on their EFL Cup adventure, Manchester City will simply be looking to avoid a real banana skin on Saturday lunchtime. Knowing that three points here would see them briefly leapfrog Arsenal to top spot, Guardiola’s men have only continued to shine on their rampant run at the Etihad. Winning each of their last 11 straight Premier League battles on home soil, a downbeat Brentford will know that they face a monumental challenge this weekend. With just a single win from any of their last eight straight domestic contests across all competitions, it is hard to see anything other than a fairly routine home victory here.

Verdict: Manchester City win to nil

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet