Bernie Wilson
Updated on: October 11, 2024 5:26 am GMT
Premier League champions Manchester City will host Brentford at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, September 14, 2024, in a pivotal match as both teams look to solidify their positions in the league standings. The clash comes with several key player updates that could impact the outcome of the game, particularly concerning City’s prolific striker, Erling Haaland.
Injury Updates Prior to Kickoff
Mancunians are keeping a close eye on Haaland, who is expected to be assessed for his readiness to play following the recent death of a close family friend. City manager Pep Guardiola has stated that he will evaluate both Haaland’s mental and physical state before making a final decision on his participation.
In more positive news for City, midfielder Rodri is set to make his first appearance of the season, while Phil Foden and Savinho have both returned from illness and injury, respectively. However, defensive player Nathan Ake will miss the match due to a hamstring injury sustained while playing for the Netherlands.
On the Brentford side, midfielder Mathias Jensen is expected to be sidelined for the next couple of weeks with a calf injury. Defender Kristoffer Ajer is fit to play, although Rico Henry has experienced a minor setback in his recovery. Furthermore, teenager Gustavo Nunes is out with a minor stress fracture in his back.
Historical Context: Manchester City Vs. Brentford
In their recent history, Manchester City has had the upper hand against Brentford in the Premier League, winning four out of the last six encounters. Notably, they completed the double over Brentford in both the 2021-22 and 2023-24 seasons. However, Brentford hasn’t been without success, as they remain the last team to win at the Etihad Stadium in any competition, achieving a 2-1 upset in November 2022.
Recent Form
Currently, City is on a remarkable unbeaten streak at home, with 45 consecutive matches (38 wins and 7 draws) without a loss since the defeat to Brentford. They have started the 2024-25 season strong, winning all three of their league matches, and are looking to claim a win that would equate their fastest start to a Premier League season. Achieving a win against Brentford would mark the sixth time Manchester City has won its opening four matches of a Premier League season, tying the record held by Chelsea.
Brentford’s Recent Performance
On the other hand, Brentford’s record appears less favorable, having lost 11 of their last 15 away matches in the Premier League. However, they have begun this current season decently, winning two out of three matches, marking their best start to a campaign since 2011-12. Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa have been instrumental, combining for all of Brentford’s goals this season thus far.
Key Player Focus: Erling Haaland
Should he play, Erling Haaland will be a focal point for Manchester City. He has already scored seven goals in the first three matches of the season, making him the leading scorer and setting a record for the most goals by a player during this phase of a Premier League season. Haaland can also become the fifth player in history to score a hat-trick in three consecutive matches, adding further intrigue to his performance.
Brentford’s Game Plan
Brentford’s approach, guided by manager Thomas Frank, will likely center around defensive solidity and creating opportunistic counter-attacks. Historically, the Bees have shown resilience against the City attack, managing to frustrate them in previous encounters. For Brentford to take points away from this match, they must improve on their defensive record, particularly during away fixtures against top-tier teams.
Statistics of Note
- Manchester City is on a streak of 12 consecutive league victories, all by at least a two-goal margin, marking a record in English top-flight history.
- Brentford has allowed opponents an average of 16.7 passes per defensive action, the highest of any side in the Premier League this season.
Match Impact
The outcome of this fixture could have significant implications for both teams in the early stages of the season. For Manchester City, another victory would cement their status at the top of the table, while for Brentford, a strong performance could enable them to gain momentum heading into future matches.
Fans are really excited to watch both teams play this Saturday at 3:00 PM UK time. They hope to see a thrilling game of Premier League football. With so much at stake and some players missing, the match is sure to be full of action and drama!
