Verdict: Manchester City win by 2+ goals
Best Odds: 20/21
Bookmaker: Unibet
Looking to widen their buffer at the top of the Premier League table on Wednesday night, Manchester City will welcome Brentford to the Etihad.
Manchester City
Starting with the hosts, while Manchester City might have signed off January with a 1-1 draw away at Southampton, the Sky Blues really marked their return to action in some style last weekend. Breezing their way to the fifth-round of this year’s FA Cup thanks to a thumping 4-1 win at home against Championship promotion contenders Fulham, Pep Guardiola’s men are storming their way to another Premier League crown this season. Opening up the midweek fixtures sat holding a commanding nine-point buffer at the top of the table, the former Bayern Munich boss finds his side enjoying a remarkable unbeaten run that stems all the way back to the end of October. Smelling a golden chance to lay down another marker on Wednesday night, the English giants have continued to shine at the Etihad. Including victories against the likes of PSG and Chelsea, City have won each of their previous nine home fixtures across all formats.
Team News
All given a break on FA Cup duties over the weekend, the likes of Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and number one keeper Ederson should all make their return here.
However, suffering a knock while away on international duties with Brazil, Gabriel Jesus is once again a doubt on Wednesday night.
Brentford
As for the visitors, while Brentford might have gained plenty of plaudits since making their Premier League debut last year, the Bees do find themselves in the midst of a recent struggle. Crashing out of the FA Cup over the weekend thanks to a 4-1 drumming against fellow Premier League outfit Everton on the road, Thomas Frank’s men have started to tumble their way down the table. Last seen heading into the brief January break with a 2-1 defeat at home against Wolves, the west London-outfit have lost each of their last five matchups across all formats. Likewise, it should also be highlighted that Brentford have lost seven of their last eight Premier League contests. Knowing that they face a huge task when they travel to the Etihad on Wednesday night, Frank should also have a real headache over his side’s recent problems at the back.
Team News
Both Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa were absent for Brentford against Everton after testing positive for COVID-19 and it’s unclear if they will feature here.
Despite making his Premier League return during the January transfer window, Christian Eriksen is not expected to make his debut for Thomas Frank’s side here.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two sides faced off for their reverse meeting on December 29th, Manchester City picked up a 1-0 win on the road.
- Manchester City are unbeaten on Premier League duties since a 2-0 loss against Crystal Palace on October 30th.
- Likewise, the Sky Blues have won each of their last nine home fixtures across all formats.
- Brentford have lost seven of their last eight Premier League matchups.
- Wednesday’s guests have lost each of their last five fixtures across all formats, conceding over 1.5 goals in each of those defeats.
Conclusion
Marking their return to action with a thumping 4-1 win against Championship outfit Fulham, there is no doubt that Manchester City should be smelling another golden chance at the Etihad. Breezing their way to the top of the Premier League table and holding a commanding nine-point buffer over the chasing pack, Wednesday’s hosts have also continued on a remarkable purple patch. Without a single domestic defeat to their name since the end of October, Brentford should be bracing themselves for another stern test here. Crashing out of the FA Cup away at Goodison Park over the weekend, the Bees have now lost each of their last five matchups across all formats. Gaining a reputation for their recent issues at the back, it is hard to see anything other than a routine home victory here.
Verdict: Manchester City win by 2+ goals
Best Odds: 20/21
Bookmaker: Unibet
