Brentford host Crystal Palace in their third consecutive London derby at the Gtech Community Stadium. Last weekend, the Bees defeated Fulham with three straight goals, while Palace lost 1-0 to Arsenal on Monday night.
Preview (Brentford vs. Crystal Palace)
Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa have so far answered all of the worries about Brentford’s capacity to maintain their upward trajectory without Ivan Toney doing what he does best up front, and Fulham were no match for the Bees’ domination last week. Similar to how the Cottagers were adjusting to life without a talismanic striker, Aleksandar Mitrovic, who was headed to Al-Hilal, Marco Silva could use some inspiration from Thomas Frank, as Wissa’s first-half goal came before Mbeumo’s cool penalty and late tap-in in a Craven Cottage romp.
Only eight-goal toppers Brighton & Hove Albion have scored more goals than Brentford thus far in the 2023–24 Premier League season, and the Bees are comfortably sitting in fourth position with 36 games remaining after adding two more goals to their opening draw against Tottenham Hotspur. Frank’s talented crop has won 13 of the previous 15 Premier League points that have been available to them. This weekend, they want to score in their 15th straight home game in the top division. They further established the Gtech as a fortress. Frank also has a midweek EFL Cup matchup. Only Arsenal and Newcastle United have defeated the Bees at home since the start of last season.
In the 2022–23 Premier League season, not a single team from the capital was able to defeat Arsenal. On Monday at Selhurst Park, Martin Odegaard’s penalty kick gave the Gunners the lead. Despite the fact that Palace fought valiantly against Mikel Arteta’s 10 men. The tightly packed Arsenal backline, however, made it impossible for Roy Hodgson’s team to break through. Instead, Arsenal held on for a one-goal victory and brought Palace crashing back to earth. Crystal Palace had their own 1-0 victory at Sheffield United on the opening weekend. However, few may anticipate that pattern to continue with an entertaining four-goal tie today.
Team News
There are currently three players on Frank’s injury and suspension list, including the suspended Toney. Ben Mee was unable to recover from a calf injury in time for their three-goal victory over Fulham. Dasilva is unlikely to recuperate in time for the game on Saturday. There is greater optimism regarding Mee’s health. Frank should update when he speaks with the media before the derby. For the trip to Fulham, the Bees changed to a four-man backline. Kevin Schade to join the scorching Wissa and Mbeumo up forward. Frank may not see much reason to replace a winning lineup, even if Mee is given the go-ahead.
Palace’s loss to Arsenal didn’t raise any new issues, but the Eagles did miss Michael Olise, who is anticipated to be out for a few more weeks owing to a thigh injury he sustained while representing France’s Under-21 team. Due to a lower back problem, Matheus Franca, a fellow attacking player, has also yet to appear for Palace, and Will Hughes’ preseason knee injury could keep him out of action until the middle of September. Sam Johnstone, the current Eagles goalkeeper, conceded the crucial penalty in Monday’s defeat to Arsenal amid rumors of a potential move for Dean Henderson of Manchester United.
Even though Brentford and Crystal Palace have a history of drawing games in the past two years, the Bees approach the match on Saturday as the clear favorites and should end the trend of deadlocks. This Wilfried Zaha and Olise-less Palace crop still lacks a clinical edge, and they should lose at the Gtech as the Bees continue their successful season.
Brentford 2 – 0 Crystal Palace
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