Prediction: Tottenham vs Brentford

Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Turning their attention back to Premier League duties this weekend, Tottenham will welcome Brentford to north London on Saturday afternoon.

Tottenham

Starting with the hosts, while Tottenham might have avoided an infamous EFL Cup exit earlier in the week as they eventually snatched a dramatic 2-1 victory away at Championship outfit Coventry, Spurs are still waiting to click into top gear. Marking their return from September’s international break with a downbeat 1-0 loss at the hands of arch-rivals Arsenal, there could be some mounting pressure on Ange Postecoglou’s shoulders in north London. Heading into the fortnight interval with a 2-1 defeat against Newcastle, the former Celtic boss is seeking some crucial stability. Limping their way over the finishing line last season as they missed out on the chance to book a lucrative Champions League ticket, Spurs have now registered just a trio of wins from any of their previous 11 Premier League showdowns – a run that stems all the way back to April 7th.

Team News

Both missing out against Arsenal last weekend and still dealing with respective injury issues, Tottenham are once again sweating over the fitness of Yves Bissouma and Brazilian marksmen Richarlison. Handed a full rest away at Coventry earlier in the week, Cristian Romero will make a full return and partner Micky van de Ven at the heart of Spurs’ defence.

While big-money summer recruit Dominic Solanke might still be waiting to open his account in north London following a £65million move from Bournemouth, the ex-Liverpool youngster will lead Postecoglou’s attack. Despite notching an EFL Cup strike away at Coventry in midweek, Brennan Johnson will likely settle for a spot on the bench.

Brentford

As for the visitors, mounting an EFL Cup comeback earlier in the week as they eventually secured a 3-1 victory against League One outfit Leyton Orient, Brentford are still trying to find some recent stability. Suffering a collapse away at defending champions Manchester City last weekend as they marked their return from September’s international break with a 2-1 defeat, Thomas Frank’s men have failed to collect back-to-back Premier League victories since the middle of April. Hit with that action-packed 3-2 loss when they last travelled to Spurs back on January 31st, the Bees are seeking some much-welcomed defensive steel. Despite extending on their EFL Cup adventure last month following a 1-0 victory against Colchester, that it the only clean sheet that Brentford have registered from their first six competitive appearances across all competitions.

Team News

Suffering an ankle injury away at Manchester City last weekend, Brentford have confirmed that Yoane Wissa will be sidelined for the next couple of months. Likewise, all still dealing with respective injury issues, the likes of Joshua Dasilva, Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey will all not feature on Saturday afternoon.

Handed an EFL Cup rest against Leyton Orient in midweek, Bryan Mbeumo will make a full return here and spearhead Frank’s attack. Arriving from Liverpool on a permanent basis this summer, ex-Fulham starlet Fabio Carvalho could make a first Premier League start here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Tottenham and Brentford last met back on January 31st, Spurs collected an action-packed 3-2 victory in north London.
• Including their 1-0 loss against arch-rivals Arsenal last weekend, Tottenham have recorded just a single victory from any of their first four Premier League appearances.
• Likewise, continuing on from last season, Spurs have won just a trio of their previous 11 top-flight appearances.
• The Bees have collected just a single clean sheet from any of their first six appearances across all competitions.
• Each of the last four meetings between Tottenham and Brentford have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

While both Tottenham and Brentford might have mounted their own respective EFL Cup comebacks in midweek, the London rivals are seeking some crucial stability. With Spurs mustering just a single victory from any of their first four Premier League appearances, Saturday’s hosts have shown some extended issues on either side of the summer interval. In a contest that tends to produce plenty of fireworks, we could be treated to another enjoyable battle from north London this weekend.

Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet