At the beginning of the Premier League campaign, there were high expectations for Arsenal to come out on top, but the impressive start from defending champions Manchester City has left many observers feeling uneasy. The Citizens kicked off their season with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Chelsea, followed by a 4-1 thumping of Ipswich at home. They then notched another win, this time 3-1 against West Ham, all without key player Rodri, who was given an extended break following Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph.

Pep Guardiola’s side will now face Brentford in their first match after the international break, aiming to replicate their previous success against this side. Although the Bees managed to pull off victories against Manchester City in both encounters last season, the hosts will approach this match with caution.

Under the guidance of Thomas Frank, Brentford has had a strong start to the season, securing wins against Crystal Palace, Southampton, and Colchester across all competitions. Despite suffering a 2-0 loss against Liverpool, the team displayed resilience in their performance.

While talisman Ivan Toney has departed for Saudi Arabia, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa have stepped up in his absence, scoring a total of five goals between them so far this season. The addition of players such as Sepp van den Berg and Fabio Carvalho from Liverpool, as well as Igor Thiago from Club Brugge, has bolstered the squad during the summer transfer window. Unfortunately, Thiago is sidelined with a knee injury, maintaining a familiar lineup for Brentford in the upcoming clash.

In recent confrontations with Manchester City, Brentford has managed to contain the damage effectively, with only 12 goals scored in their last six meetings. Coach Frank has demonstrated his ability to organize his team to prevent heavy defeats, and he is expected to do so once again. It is anticipated that there will be fewer than 3.5 goals in a home victory, as Manchester City is unlikely to overpower the resilient Brentford side.