Brentford vs Wolves predictions: Wolves to stay on winning trail
- Wolves have won their last three matches
- Brentford have lost their last five fixtures
- Recommended bet: Wolves to win
Brentford are in danger of being dragged into a Premier League relegation scrap but they have an opportunity to lighten the mood of their supporters when taking on Wolves in the FA Cup third round.
An FA Cup run will not be seen as the main priority for Bees' head coach Thomas Frank but it could give the club a lift at a stage of the season when Premier League points are proving tough to come by.
However, Wolves had a more positive festive period and are approaching the Brentford contest on a three-game winning streak so they look best-placed to progress.
Wolves triumphed 3-0 at home to Everton on Saturday and, after a tough few years in the FA Cup having not advanced beyond the fifth round since 2019, Gary O'Neil's side can secure an away win and book a fourth-round place while maintaining their fine form.
Team news
Ivan Toney (suspension) will not be available until later this month and Bryan Mbeumo (ankle), Rico Henry (knee), Aaron Hickey, Joshua Dasilva (both thigh) and Kevin Schade (groin) are sidelined for Brentford.
Bee Mee continues his suspension and Shandon Baptiste (foot) and Kristoffer Ajer (ankle) are also doubts for the hosts, while Saman Ghoddos, Kim Ji-soo, Frank Onyeka and Yoane Wissa are on international duty.
For Wolves, Mario Lemina (family bereavement) is unlikely to be available and Jonny Otto (unspecified injury) remains unavailable.
Hwang Hee-Chan, Justin Hubner, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Boubacar Traore are all on international duty.
The stats
Brentford’s sequence of five successive defeats is their longest negative run since a six-match losing set between January and February in 2022.
The Bees have gone nine matches without keeping a clean sheet.
Five of Brentford’s last six fixtures have featured goals for both teams.
Wolves have won their last three matches.
O'Neil's side have scored in 20 of their last 21 fixtures and their Premier League goal tally (30) is 18 more than they had managed at the same stage of last season, when they had just 12.
Prediction
Wolves are in much better shape than they were 12 months ago and can build on a fantastic finish to 2023 by defeating Brentford in the FA Cup third round.
Being drawn away to a fellow Premier League club was far from an ideal scenario for O’Neil’s side, but they look more than capable of rising to the challenge.
Despite being on the wrong end of several controversial VAR calls, Wolves have climbed to 11th in the Premier League and they are closer to the top four (12 points adrift) than the bottom three (13 points clear).
The Black Country side can afford to have a real crack at the FA Cup but there may be a different dynamic for Brentford, who have a possible relegation battle to think about.
Thomas Frank’s Bees are just four points above the bottom three after a dismal run of form, and can ill-afford any more injuries to senior players.
They are without at least 11 players, including key strikers Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney, for the visit of Wolves and could be heading for a sixth successive defeat.
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