Prediction: Manchester City vs Brentford

Verdict: Manchester City to score in both halves

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to extend their stay at the top of the Premier League table, Manchester City will welcome Brentford to the Etihad on Saturday afternoon.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, while Manchester City might have relinquished their maiden European crown last season, the Sky Blues only shattered more domestic records. Becoming the first club in English history to claim four consecutive Premier League titles, Pep Guardiola’s men have once again come flying out of the traps this time around. Last seen heading into September’s international break with a 3-1 victory away at West Ham, Pep Guardiola’s men are already pencilled in as a standout title contender this season. Getting proceedings underway with an impressive 2-0 win against Chelsea on August 18th, the former Barcelona boss has seen his superstar squad win all of their first three Premier League appearances. Only continuing on from where they left off prior to the summer break, Man City will simply be looking to make another statement on Saturday afternoon.

Team News

Suffering a broken leg prior to the season getting underway last month, Manchester City will once again be without attacking starlet Oscar Bobb this weekend. While Phil Foden might have been forced to withdraw from England’s squad this month through illness, the 24-year-old could return to Guardiola’s squad on Saturday afternoon.

Only continuing to break Premier League records by the week and already notching seven goals from his first three top-flight appearances, Erling Haaland will spearhead City’s charge here. Making a sensational return to the Etihad this summer, Ilkay Gundogan could make a first start of the season.

Brentford

As for the visitors, while Brentford might have spent large spells of last season looking over their shoulder at a looming relegation scrap, the Bees have made a string of improvements since opening up the new campaign. Getting proceedings underway with a 2-1 victory at home against Crystal Palace, Thomas Frank’s men have collected six points from their first three Premier League appearances. Last seen heading into September’s international break with a routine 3-1 win against Southampton, the west London outfit have their sights set on mounting a genuine top-half charge this time around. However, facing what is a monumental challenge when they return to Premier League action here, Brentford have shown some extended issues on the road. In fact, the Bees have won just a pair of their last nine showdowns outside of the capital.

Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues prior to September’s international break, Brentford are once again expected to be without the quartet of Joshua Dasilva, Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey and big-money summer recruit Igor Thiago. Arriving from Liverpool on a permanent basis last month, former Hull starlet Fabio Carvalho will be hoping to make a first start of the season.

Notching three goals across all competitions since opening up the new campaign and shouldering plenty of Brentford’s goalscoring duties this season, Bryan Mbeumo will lead Frank’s charge here. Featuring for Ireland over the fortnight break, Nathan Collins will partner Ethan Pinnock at the heart of the Bees’ defence.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Manchester City and Brentford last met back on February 20th, the Sky Blues collected a 1-0 victory on home soil.
• Likewise, Man City won their two Premier League battles against Brentford last season by an aggregate score of 4-1.
• The record-breaking Erling Haaland has recorded seven goals from his opening three Premier League appearances so far this season.
• The Bees have won just a pair of their previous nine Premier League matchups outside of west London.
• Brentford have recorded just a single Premier League clean sheet on their travels over the past 11 months.

Conclusion

Only continuing on from where they left off back in May, Manchester City will simply be looking to lay down another early marker here. Winning all of their opening three Premier League appearances and holding a 100% record, the Sky Blues will be excited by a return to the Etihad on Saturday afternoon. Looking to claim a remarkable fifth consecutive domestic title this season, Guardiola’s side are rightfully pencilled in as a landslide favourite in the blue half of Manchester.

Verdict: Manchester City to score in both halves

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster