Brentford vs Man City predictions: Citizens to maintain title charge
- Brentford have won two of their last 12 in all competitions
- Manchester City have kept only two clean sheets on the road in the league this season
- Recommended bet: Manchester City to win and both teams to score
Manchester City will look to keep pace with league-leaders Liverpool when they travel to the Gtech Community Stadium to take on Brentford in the Premier League on Monday evening.
City looked to be in trouble after a poor run of results before Christmas, but the return to fitness of some of their first-team stars has been the catalyst for an eight-match winning run.
Brentford are struggling to string results together, but they will feel they can give City some problems in front of their own supporters.
Team News
Brentford left-back Sergio Reguilon will return to the squad after being unable to play against parent club Tottenham in midweek, but fellow full-backs Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry remain on the sidelines.
Kevin Schade and Bryan Mbuemo are still sidelined through injury, while Frank Onyeka and Yoanne Wissa are away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Saman Ghoddos has helped Iran reach the semi-finals of the Asia Cup.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola should be able to call upon the services of all of his squad for Monday's tie, with Manuel Akanji now fully recovered from a knee injury.
Striker Erling Haaland could return to the starting XI after recently recovering from a foot injury.
The stats
Brentford are only three points above the relegation zone after just two wins in their last 10 in the Premier League. Thomas Frank's side lost the other eight matches during that run, but they have had no issues finding the net, scoring in seven of those matches.
At home, the Bees have scored in 11 of their 13 matches in all competitions this season, and that bodes well as City have kept only two clean sheets on the road in the league.
City look back to their best, though, winning eight in a row, while they are unbeaten in 11 matches in all competitions.
Prediction
The Bees will be competitive in parts on Monday, but they are in danger of being relegated, having squandered 23 points from winning positions this season.
That record is the worst in the Premier League, and with the defending champions in town, Brentford will struggle to contain them. Guardiola's ability to call upon Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland from the start should send a clear message to the league, and he will hope his team can race into a comfortable lead before he can rest them for future challenges.
City have won their last three away games in the Premier League after conceding, and we expect another high-scoring battle involving the champions.
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