Verdict: Manchester City win
Best Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Turning their attention back to EFL Cup action on Wednesday night, Manchester City will welcome Brentford to the Etihad for an all-Premier League showdown.
Manchester City
Starting with the hosts, while Manchester City might have marked their return from November’s international break with back-to-back defeats, it appears that was just a minor blip for Pep Guardiola’s superstar squad. Last seen over the weekend putting in another dominant display as they stormed their way to a 3-0 romp away at Crystal Palace, the Sky Blues are riding a major wave of momentum. Collecting a heavyweight Champions League scalp last week as they secured a 2-1 win against 15-time European champions Real Madrid, Man City find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. With their sight set on recapturing their domestic crown this season, Wednesday’s hosts have won each of their previous five appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 16-7.
Manchester City Team News
Dealing with what has become an injury nightmare over the past 12 months and not featuring across any competition since the start of November, Manchester City will once again be without midfield talisman Rodri here. Likewise, former Chelsea star Mateo Kovacic remains on the sidelines with a heel issue.
While the record-breaking Erling Haaland might have recorded another Premier League brace away at Crystal Palace over the weekend, the Norwegian icon could be handed a rest on Wednesday. With Guardiola expected to make a string of alterations here, the likes of Rayan Air Nouri, James Trafford and Omar Marmoush should be handed full recalls.
Brentford
As for the visitors, while Brentford might have enjoyed a bright start to proceedings back in August, Keith Andrews’ men have largely come crashing back down to earth. Suffering late frustration over the weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate at home against Leeds, there has been some concerns that the Bees are starting to look over their shoulder at a potential relegation scrap. Getting December underway with consecutive 2-0 defeats against Arsenal and Tottenham, Wednesday’s guests have recorded just a single win from any of their previous five Premier League appearances. Gaining a reputation for their issues on the road, Brentford will be bracing themselves for a monumental challenge here. In fact, Andrews’ side have registered just one-point from their last five top-flight showdowns against Manchester City.
Brentford Team News
Undergoing knee surgery last month, Brentford have confirmed that former Liverpool starlet Fabio Carvalho is expected to miss the remainder of the season. However, serving a one-match Premier League suspension over the weekend, Kevin Schade could be handed a full recall at the Etihad on Wednesday night.
Already notching 11 Premier League strikes so far this season and enjoying what has been a breakout campaign in west London, attacking talisman Igor Thiago will lead the line here. Settling for a spot on the bench on Sunday, playmaker Mikkel Damsgaard should feature from the start in Manchester.
Manchester City vs Brentford Key Factors to Consider
- When Manchester City and Brentford met for a Premier League showdown on October 5th, the Sky Blues collected a 1-0 victory in west London.
- Man City have registered 14 points from their previous five meetings against Wednesday’s guests.
- Guardiola’s side have won each of their previous five appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 16-7.
- Brentford have lost their previous four consecutive matchups away from the Gtech by an aggregate score of 8-1.
- Man City have won nine of their previous 10 showdowns at the Etihad across all competitions.
Conclusion
Storming their way to what was a routine 3-0 romp away at Crystal Palace over the weekend, Manchester City will be dreaming of a repeat performance here. Enjoying what has become a real purple patch, Guardiola’s side should be smelling a golden opportunity when they turn their attention back to EFL Cup action on Wednesday night. Securing a 1-0 victory when they met Brentford for a Premier League showdown on October 5th, the Sky Blues hold a dominant record against the Bees. Two sides who find the moods in their respective camps at a polar opposite, we are backing a routine home win at the Etihad.
Verdict: Manchester City win
Best Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
