Prediction: Manchester City vs Brentford

Verdict: Manchester City win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 17/10

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Desperate to make an immediate return to winning ways on Tuesday night, Manchester City will welcome Brentford to the Etihad.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, while Manchester City might have mounted a late comeback against Chelsea over the weekend as they eventually snatched a 1-1 draw, Pep Guardiola’s men were left frustrated at the Etihad. Missing out on what they billed as a potential opportunity and dropping a pair of costly points, the defending champions are seeking an immediate response here. Nevertheless, although the Sky Blues might have a real battle on their hands in their bid to make more domestic history, Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in all of their previous 15 straight appearances across all competitions. With that extended flurry stemming all the way back to December 6th, City will certainly be excited by their most recent meeting against Tuesday’s guests. Claiming a 3-1 win when they travelled to west London earlier in the month, the former Barcelona boss will be calling on a similar display in midweek.

Team News

Suffering a groin injury while on Champions League duties against Copenhagen last week, England international Jack Grealish will once again miss out here. Likewise, still suffering with a recent ankle issue, former RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol is not expected to feature on Tuesday night.

While Erling Haaland might have failed to find the net in four of his previous five appearances, the striking superstar will lead Guardiola’s charge in midweek. Left as an unused substitute against Chelsea over the weekend, John Stones could be handed a full recall at the Etihad.

Brentford

As for the visitors, crashing back down to earth over the weekend as they slumped to a 4-1 drumming at home against Liverpool, Brentford find themselves in the midst of an extended struggle. With some in Thomas Frank’s camp still looking over their shoulder at a looming relegation scrap, the Bees have recorded just a pair of wins from any of their previous 12 straight appearances across all competitions. With that extended blip stemming all the way back to December 2nd, the west London outfit have also continued to show some glaring defensive issues this season. Crashing out of the FA Cup last month following an action-packed 3-2 defeat against Wolves, Tuesday’s guests have shipped at least a pair of goals in five of their last six showdowns. Likewise, losing six of their previous seven appearances on the road, Brentford couldn’t have asked for a tougher task here.

Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues, Brentford will travel to Manchester without the likes of Josh Dasilva, Rico Henry, Bryan Mbeumo and Kevin Schade on Tuesday night. However, returning from this month’s AFCON after featuring for Congo, Yoane Wissa could make a first Premier League start of 2024.

Bagging a consolation strike against Liverpool over the weekend and notching four goals in his five appearances since returning from a nine-month ban, England international Ivan Toney will have a leading role to play here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Manchester City and Brentford met for their reverse Premier League meeting on February 5th, the Sky Blues collected a 3-1 victory in west London.
• Guardiola’s men are unbeaten in all of their previous 15 straight appearances across all competitions.
• Brentford have claimed just a pair of victories from any of their last 12 appearances.
• Likewise, the Bees have lost six of their previous seven showdowns outside of west London.
• Brentford have shipped at least a pair of goals in five of their last six appearances across all competitions.

Conclusion

Eventually having to settle for a disappointing 1-1 stalemate at home against Chelsea over the weekend, Manchester City are seeking an immediate response here. Desperate to make up some crucial ground in the title chase, Tuesday’s hosts should be smelling a golden opportunity in midweek. With Brentford in the midst of a public struggle this season and recording just a pair of wins from any of their last 12 appearances across all formats, the Bees couldn’t have asked for a tougher challenge at the Etihad. Suffering a 3-1 loss when City travelled to west London for their reverse meeting on February 5th, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Manchester City win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 17/10

Bookmaker: Olympusbet