Manchester City welcome Brentford to the Etihad on Saturday, September 14, 2024, in a matchday 4 Premier League action.
Manchester City
The Cityzens look to continue their stellar start to the 2024/25 Premier League season, with a positive result against Thomas Frank’s side.
Pep Guardiola’s side commenced the campaign with a 2-0 win over Chelsea before smashing Ipswich Town and West Ham United 4-1 and 3-1, respectively.
The defending champions appear to still be in good shape for another title push, as they aim to clinch the Premier League crown for a record-setting 5th consecutive season.
Forward Erling Haaland has been in fiery form for the defending champions, with the 24-year-old bagging hat tricks in their last two league games, while cumulatively netting 7 goals in 3 matches.
The fulcrum of Manchester City’s set-up still looks primed for action, as stars like Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, amongst others, are still in top shape.
Interestingly, Ilkay Gundogan, who exited the Cityzens in the summer of 2023 to join Barcelona, is now back at the club, and he certainly will be contributing his experience, quality, and leadership to the English side.
Brentford
Brentford have also been impressive thus far this campaign by their standards, as they have secured 2 wins from their first 3 league matches.
The Bees began the season with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace, before losing 2-0 to Liverpool despite putting up a courageous display at Anfield.
Thomas Frank’s side returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Southampton on August 31, 2024.
In all competitions, they have picked up 3 wins in 4 matches, having defeated League 2 side Colchester United 1-0 in Round 2 of the Carabao Cup.
Despite the sale of star forward Ivan Toney to Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli, Brentford look unfazed about the battles ahead.
Important names like Yoane Wissa, Mathias Jensen, and Bryan Mbuemo have delivered for the club this season, and fans of the club are hopeful of a great season ahead.
It will be fascinating to see if they have the ability to stun Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City Vs Brentford
Brentford lost to Manchester City in their meetings last season, with Pep Guardiola’s side winning 3-1 at the GTech Community Stadium and 1-0 in the reverse fixture played at the Etihad Stadium.
The Bees last defeated Manchester City in May 2023, with Thomas Frank’s side beating the Cityzens 1-0 in the final matchday of the 2023/24 Premier League season.
In the last 6 meetings between both clubs, the Cityzens have secured 4 wins, while Brentford have picked up just 2 victories.
Manchester City Team News
Manchester City are expected to be without the services of Nathan Ake for the clash against Brentford after the ex-Chelsea man sustained a muscle injury during the Netherlands’ 2-2 draw with Germany on Tuesday night.
Phil Foden and Savinho could be available after withdrawing from international duty due to illness and injury, while Rodri is set to feature for the first time this season.
Rodri hasn’t played for Manchester City this campaign due to an injury issue but he started Spain’s 4-1 UEFA Nations League win over Switzerland on Sunday, September 8, 2024, having overcome the knock.
Meanwhile, Oscar Bobb remains a lengthy absentee after suffering a broken leg in preseason.
Brentford Team News
Brentford are battling with lots of injury concerns going into their clash with Manchester City, as Joshua Dasilva, Rico Henry, Igor Thiago and Aaron Hickey all remain sidelined.
Defender Kristoffer Ajer is in contention to play for the Bees against the Cityzens, having returned from a foot problem, which he suffered in their clash against Southampton on August 31, 2024.
Manchester City’s Probable Lineup Vs Brentford (4-1-4-1): Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Rúben Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Silva, De Bruyne, Doku, Grealish; Håland.
Brentford’s Probable Lineup Vs Manchester City (5-3-2): Flekken; Roerslev, Collins, Pinnock, Sepp van den Berg, Mee; Nørgaard, Jensen, Janelt; Mbuemo, Wissa.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Brentford
Kick-off Time And Date: 03:00 PM, September 14, 2024.
