The State of Play
Manchester City cannot afford another slip up at the Etihad if they are to maintain their title push. Pep Guardiola’s men were held to a 1-1 draw by Chelsea on Saturday night – ending a run of 11 successive wins in all competitions.
That result saw the defending champions fall four points behind leaders Liverpool, and two adrift of second-placed Arsenal, albeit City do have a game in hand.
Brentford were beaten 4-1 at home by Liverpool on Saturday and remain on the fringe of the relegation battle. Thomas Frank’s side are six points above the bottom three but mired in a run of three wins in their last 15 games in all competitions.
The Bees did the double over the treble winners last season but City won their most recent meeting, just over two weeks ago, 3-1 in London.
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Team News
Manchester City will be without winger Jack Grealish – although Guardiola says his muscle injury sustained against FC Copenhagen is not as bad as first feared – and central defender Josko Gvardiol. Mateo Kovacic is available after being named on the bench against Chelsea.
Brentford will be without defender Ethan Pinnock for at least a month. The Bees are also without key men such as Rico Henry, Bryan Mbeumo and Aaron Hickey.
PEP 💬 They [Josko Gvardiol and Jack Grealish] are not ready for tomorrow. Everyone else is okay. pic.twitter.com/pZRKK1aXUy
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 19, 2024
Expected Line-ups
Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; Rodri; Foden, De Bruyne, Alvarez, Doku; Haaland
Brentford: Flekken; Collins, Ajer, Mee; Roerslev, Jensen, Norgaard, Janelt, Reguilon; Maupay, Toney
What they Said
Guardiola on suggestions the pressure is increased following the draw with Chelsea
“No. We have the same pressure tomorrow. The last 15 games, we won 13 and drew two and the ones we drew we had the same pressure to win the game. The pressure is the same, no difference. I understand the doubts of some people, but in general when you analyse the game, we were more than decent against Chelsea but I know our standards – it is not easy to sustain those for a long, long time, but we have done it. Maybe for 12 months, it’s not easy. If we had [won] 3-0 against Chelsea, the fire would be the same to win this next game. It’s not changed much, it’s always the same.”
Frank on the challenge of facing the European champions
“It’s odds against but we have to believe we can do something, get something out of the game. They are best team in the world right now. They won the treble last year, they are still right in the top of the Premier League. I know they are a few points behind Liverpool but it’s about where they are with three games to go. They are also in the mix to win the Champions League and have an incredible group of players. It is a big challenge but still only 11 players on the pitch so let’s see.”
HIM.
💥 Returning with a bang
🏴 Euro 2024 ambitions
🤝 His partnership with Neal Maupay@IvanToney24 in his own words ⤵— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) February 19, 2024
When and How to Watch
This match will be played at the Etihad Stadium at 7.30pm (UK time) on Tuesday, February 19th but will not be televised live in the UK.
Prediction
It’s hard to see City failing to win back to back home games in the Premier League. Yes, Brentford have caused them problems over the last couple of seasons but City look too strong and will surely prove the Chelsea game was a blip.
Ivan Toney is, as always, the Brentford danger man, a point highlighted by Guardiola, but the visitors’ problem will be having enough quality possession to feed the England striker.
Expect City to win at a canter.
