Brentford vs Liverpool Prediction

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Brentford vs Liverpool Prediction Match Overview

In the first match of this round’s Premier League predictions, Brentford will be buoyed coming into this game, having put in an excellent performance and resultantly won 2-0 against West Ham at the Olympic Stadium. Toney and Dasilva’s goals in the first half sealed the victory against an abject Hammers team. Hence, allied to the draw they got against Tottenham (in a match they really should have won), Brentford will be pleased with their performances since the recommencement. They are 10th in the form table over the previous six, having accumulated nine points from 18. They have an identical amount in the home table over the last six. They have drawn their last three at the Community Stadium. However, two of those were very impressive performances against Tottenham and Chelsea. They lie 10th in the league table, knowing they can give anyone a game at home. They will relish challenging themselves against the Merseyside club.

After defeating Leicester 2-1 at Anfield on Friday, Liverpool have taken six points from six since the recommencement of the Premier League. However, it was not plain sailing against the Midlands club. Dewsbury-Hall gave Leicester a surprise early lead when he was allowed to storm through the heart of the Liverpool defence and beat Alisson. A freak Faes own goal in the 38th minute equalised the game after a failed clearance looped over Ward in the Leicester goal. The unfortunate Faes registered a second own goal on the stroke of half-time. He had little time to react and put the ball into his own net after Nunez hit the post. Liverpool have taken maximum points from the last four. They are steadily climbing the league table, now up to sixth with 28 points after 16 games. They have only taken seven of the last 18 away from home but have won their two most recent on their travels.

Brentford vs Liverpool Team News

Injuries and Suspensions

Brentford:

Might Not Play: Toney
Will Not Play: Strahoska, Ajer, Hickey, Baptiste, Onyeka

Liverpool:

Might Not Play: Fabinho, Robertson, Elliott, Firmino
Will Not Play: Melo, Jones, Milner, Diaz, Jota

Possible Lineups

Brentford (3-5-2): Raya; Mee, Pinnock, Jansson; Henry, Jensen, Norgaard, Dasilva, Roerslev; Wissa, Mbeumo

Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Tsimikas, Van Dijk, Konate, Alexander-Arnold; Fabinho, Thiago, Keita; Carvalho, Nunez, Salah

Brentford vs Liverpool Prediction Analysis

Both Teams Starting Fast, and the Midfield Battle

Brentford start fast in their home matches, swarming the opposition in the first twenty minutes and trying to rattle them with the support of their excellent home crowd. Liverpool ironically start similarly at Anfield, and they must beware of an early Brentford onslaught. Liverpool will likely be more reserved from the start than they would be with their home comforts, but they will also try to start well and silence the crowd early. Brentford will put massive pressure on Liverpool and test their midfield, which may well comprise Fabinho, Thiago, and Keita. Fabinho must cover the spaces and link well with the technically gifted Thiago and athletic Keita. They must try to control the game to reduce Brentford’s intensity. Liverpool started slowly against Leicester and conceded within the first ten minutes. They will want to avoid a repeat here as going behind away at Brentford encourages the hosts further. Brentford know they surrendered a two-goal lead in the second half against Tottenham. Hence, they will be on their guard and mindful of a comeback if they take the lead.

Norgaard and Jensen are very industrious and energetic midfielders and will look to make things uncomfortable for Liverpool. They will receive the ball from the three Brentford centre-backs and play the ball down the channels for the attackers. Dasilva is a good support act for the strikers. Brentford tend to have less possession in their games as they prefer to press and win the ball high for counter-attacks. Liverpool will likely have about 55 to 65 per cent of the ball, and the onus will be on them to create. Therefore, despite playing at home, this game could be tailor-made for Brentford to win the ball and burst at the Liverpool defence, as they did against Tottenham. Liverpool have a great counter-press under Klopp, and they will also look to win the ball high when Brentford are trying to build attacks. Thus, we envisage Liverpool dominating the ball but being diligent in finding the spaces when they can win it from Brentford.

Wide Areas and Attacking

The flanks will be crucial. Henry and Roerslev are attacking wing-backs and will likely get forward often. Toney possibly won’t start due to injury; this is a blow as he is central to the physical, pressing, powerful way Brentford play. Nevertheless, Wissa is in a similar mould with his pace, never giving the opposition defence a minute to relax. We expect the two forwards and Jensen and Dasilva to get into the box and try to overwhelm the Liverpool centre-backs. Crosses will definitely come into the area, so the tall Van Dijk and Konate must be wary of a potential aerial bombardment. Brentford have proved they are not a one-trick pony though – as well as being a physical, pressing team, they can play good football on the ground too. Dasilva, Mbeumo, and Wissa are tricky customers who can beat full-backs. Alexander-Arnold and Tsimikas must be on their guard here. Set pieces could also be a good weapon for the home side, and Brentford should test the Liverpool defence and keep them honest. Toney might be fit enough to come on in the second half. Janelt, Ghoddos, and Damsgaard are other creative, penetrative players who can enter and make something happen.

Robertson is carrying an injury for Liverpool so Tsimikas might start instead. He and possibly Carvalho down the left and Alexander-Arnold and Salah down the right will look to exploit any spaces Henry and Roerslev vacate when they go forward. The ball into the channels between the wing-backs and the wider centre-backs could be a source of success. Salah will look to occupy these spaces, as will the blistering Nunez when he drifts outside. Indeed, Liverpool have massive threats on the flanks. The overlaps from the full-backs could be vital to finding space behind the Brentford rearguard – as could the trickery and dribbling from Carvalho and Salah. Brentford have three tall centre-backs in the middle in their 3-5-2 system. Hence, high balls into the box may not be profitable for Liverpool in this encounter. They must work their way inside and try to play cutbacks or, as stated, counter-attack and exploit the channels when Brentford overcommit. Liverpool are missing Diaz and Jota. However, Elliott, Oxlade-Chamberain, the possibly returning Firmino or new signing Cody Gakpo could be introduced if they are chasing the game. If they are winning, they can bring on Henderson in place of an attacker to see out proceedings.

Beat the Bookmaker Brentford vs Liverpool Prediction

This game could be very tight. Liverpool have had their troubles away from home this season, despite winning the last two on their travels. There are signs of resurgence, but Brentford are playing well and will come into this game very confident after their resounding win against West Ham. Brentford away is a challenging game for any team, and Liverpool’s mental and physical strength will be tested here by Brentford. Brentford will likely miss Toney somewhat. However, the manager Thomas Frank has created such a well-drilled unit that they will play similarly without him. Overall, we see this being a game with goals, as both teams have been scoring and possess much threat going forward. Equally, both sometimes concede chances to the opposition, so we predict a high-scoring draw. Brentford might stay comfortably in mid-table, and Liverpool may lose ground in their battle for the top four.

Brentford 2-2 Liverpool

Beat the Bookmaker Brentford vs Liverpool Prediction – Draw Odds: