Manchester City are top of the league, obviously. Pep Guardiola’s side have won their first three Premier League games this season, obviously. Erling Haaland is on fire, obviously.
The Norwegian striker already has seven goals this season, including a pair of hat-tricks. All is well at the Etihad and, like the Terminator, they absolutely will not stop.
Brentford, less predictably, are also going well in the early stages of the season. One might have expected the departure of Ivan Toney for pastures new to have caused issues for Thomas Frank’s side but they’ve won two and lost just the match against Liverpool, the only side other than City with a 100 per cent record this term.
Added to this, somewhat surprisingly, Brentford are the last away team to have won at the Etihad in any competition. That victory came back in November 2022 and, since that loss, City have won 38 games and drawn seven at home.
City will be without Nathan Ake after he picked up an ankle injury on international duty while representing the Netherlands against Germany. Rodri has yet to play for the champions this season, but seems likely to return after featuring in Spain’s 4-1 Nations League win over Switzerland last weekend. Joshua Dasilva, Rico Henry, Igor Thiago and Aaron Hickey are all on Brentford’s injury list although there is the possibility of Kristoffer Ajer’s foot problem clearing up in time for the trip to City.
It was confirmed on Friday that the hearing into Manchester City’s 115 charges will begin on Monday so that will undoubtedly be an unwelcome distraction for Guardiola and his players (though they’re invariably going to insist otherwise). Added to this is the news of Mikel Arteta agreeing a new deal at Arsenal and suddenly things seem a little calmer for City’s main title contenders the last couple of years than they do in the blue half of Manchester.
Manchester City vs Brentford odds
Odds updated as of 8 p.m. BST Friday.
- Man City win: 1/5 (-500)
- Draw: 13/2 (+650)
- Brentford win: 23/2 (+1150)
Venue: Etihad Stadium — Manchester
Time: 3 p.m. BST (10 a.m. ET), Saturday
Form guide
Manchester City: 3-0-0, 9 points (1st); W-W-W
Brentford: 2-0-1, 6 points (6th); W-L-W
Match prediction
Manchester City 2-0 Brentford
They say lightning doesn’t strike twice and, while it’s not scientifically accurate, there is a certain metaphorical truth to the adage. It’s hard to see Brentford winning at the Etihad again, especially since Toney scored a brace that day. A comfortable home win seems much more likely so let’s go with 2-0.
(Photo of Erling Haaland: Henry Nicholls / AFP via Getty Images)
