Brentford vs Man City: Premier League preview, team news, stats, predictions, kick-off time
Nine first-team players potentially missing for Bees; follow Brentford vs Man City in our dedicated live match blog; watch free match highlights on Sky Sports digital platforms and YouTube channel shortly after full-time.
Wednesday 29 December 2021 19:03, UK
Team news, stats and prediction ahead of Brentford vs Man City in the Premier League on Wednesday; kick-off 8.15pm.
Team news
Brentford's bare-bones squad is even more stretched with the loss of Vitaly Janelt, who is sidelined with Covid-19, and the suspension of Christian Norgaard. Bryan Mbeumo hobbled off during their defeat to Brighton.
They join Zanka, Kristoffer Ajer, Josh Dasilva, Rico Henry, Charlie Goode and David Raya as being unavailable for hosting Premier League champions Manchester City.
There are fewer issues in the Manchester City squad. Kyle Walker and Rodri both missed the Boxing Day win over Leicester, but may return for Wednesday's game.
John Stones and Ferran Torres were also absent for the 6-3 victory, but the latter has now completed his January move to Barcelona.
How to follow
Follow Brentford vs Man City in our dedicated live match blog. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after full-time.
- Download the Sky Sports Scores App: Apple | Android
- The UK's No 1 scores app: Find out more
Last time out...
Jones Knows prediction
Some of Manchester City's football in the first half of their win over Leicester was an ominous sign for their title rivals. They cantered into a four-goal lead without even needing to move out of second gear. Brentford are working at an average of conceding two goals per-game over the last nine games so it will be a huge surprise if City fall under that line in this one.
As with most Manchester City matches at the moment, the opportunity to unearth some value from the betting markets is a tough ask. Even our go-to Joao Cancelo shots angle is now trading at a much shorter price. That has led me to the cards market in search of a betting opportunity and the price of 15/4 with Sky Bet for Brentford wing-back Sergi Canos to be carded does look backable. Likely to be tasked with keeping a lid on Raheem Sterling or Jack Grealish, the Spaniard is aggressive with his challenges and has only just returned from a suspension having collected five bookings already this season.
SCORE PREDICTION: 0-3
BETTING ANGLE: Sergi Canos to be carded (15/4 with Sky Bet)
Opta stats
- The last top-flight meetings between Brentford and Man City were back in 1937-38, with the Bees winning home and away against reigning champions Man City, who were relegated at the end of the campaign.
- This is the first meeting between Brentford and Manchester City in any competition since January 1997, with the Citizens winning an FA Cup match 1-0 at Griffin Park thanks to a Nicky Summerbee strike.
- Brentford have won 50% of their league games against reigning top-flight champions (W5 D3 L2), including two victories against Manchester City in the 1937-38 campaign.
- Manchester City have won their last three away league games against promoted sides by an aggregate score of 11-1. They last won more consecutively against such opponents between December 2009 and November 2011 under Roberto Mancini (6).
- When playing their final league game of a calendar year at home, Brentford haven't lost since 2005 (0-2 vs Colchester), winning five and drawing three of their eight such games since.
- Manchester City have only lost their final league game in one of the last 20 calendar years (W10 D9), with that defeat coming at Liverpool in 2016.
- After winning just one of their first six Premier League home games (D1 L4), Brentford have won their last two at home in the competition. They last won three in a row at home in the top-flight in February/March 1939.
- Manchester City have lost four of their last 10 Premier League away games against London sides (W5 D1), more than they had in their first 19 visits to the capital under Pep Guardiola (W14 D2 L3).
- Manchester City have scored 112 Premier League goals in 2021 - the last calendar year to see an English top-flight side score more was back in 1960, with Tottenham netting 114 and Wolverhampton Wanderers scoring 113 that year.
- Man City's Raheem Sterling has scored in each of his last four Premier League appearances, netting five goals in total. He's never scored in five consecutive games in the competition before.
