Brentford and Crystal Palace seek to turn around their fortunes and climb up the Premier League table by securing a win this weekend.
Brentford are not facing an immediate threat of relegation, but their situation could begin to get tense if they do not improve their results. Their latest setback came against Manchester City as Riyad Mahrez and Kevin De Bruyne condemned Thomas Frank’s side to their 13th loss of the season earlier in the week. Only Norwich City and Watford have lost more games this season.
The loss to Manchester City was their sixth defeat in a row in all competitions, with Brentford conceding at least two goals in each of those defeats. This has been their worst run of form this term and could end up defining their season.
The only way to improve their current standing is by starting to rack up wins, starting with one over their London rivals Crystal Palace. A victory would see them leapfrog Patrick Vieira’s men, who will be keen to put some disappointing results behind them and achieve three points on Saturday. Palace missed a good opportunity in midweek against Norwich City, where they could have bagged a win had Wilfried Zaha scored from the spot.
The Ivorian’s miscued spot-kick cost the London side, who have just one victory in six previous Premier League games. For all their good work and progress, Palace sit in the 13th spot, which doesn’t seem to do justice to their development under Vieira this season.
This will be the second time these teams meet in the Premier League, with their first encounter at the start of the campaign ending in a drab goalless draw. With both teams desperate to improve on their recent run of results, fans could be in for an entertaining clash on Saturday.
Team News & Tactics
Brentford
Thomas Frank does not have too many problems to deal with, barring a few potential absentees for the Palace clash. Tarique Fosu-Henry is absent, while Christian Eriksen is still short of match-fitness.
? Welcome @ChrisEriksen8 to West London ahead of our game against Crystal Palace
We'll be introducing our new man at around 2.45pm on Saturday #BrentfordFC #BRECRY pic.twitter.com/SbeOmeTMq2
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) February 11, 2022
The Brentford boss will be hoping to have Ivan Toney back after the striker missed the midweek defeat to Manchester City. Meanwhile, Vitaly Janelt and Zanka are big doubts for the weekend game. However, Josh Dasilva, who played in the Premier League for the first time this season against City, could be in the starting lineup.
Frank could keep the shape of his team intact with David Raya in goal, despite the Spaniard’s error against Man City. Kristoffer Ajer, Pontus Jansson and Ethan Pinnock could form the backline for Brentford. Mads Roerslev and Rico Henry could be preferred as wing-backs, with a midfield three between them.
With Toney back in contention, it remains to be seen if Frank puts him straight back into the starting lineup. In that case, he will partner Bryan Mbeumo upfront, although Yoane Wissa could also be an option instead of Toney.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Raya; Ajer, Jansson, Pinnock; Roerslev, Dasilva, Norgaard, Onyeka, Henry; Mbeumo, Toney
Crystal Palace
Nathan Ferguson remains the only confirmed absentee in the team, while Cheikhou Kouyate should be back in contention after winning the AFCON. The Senegal international could come back to give Vieira’s side more bite and protection in midfield, which they have lacked in recent weeks.
Working towards the weekend ?
Tomorrow we head to Brentford ?#CPFC | #BRECRY pic.twitter.com/BSPgt4p9uv
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 11, 2022
James Tomkins and James McArthur have returned to full fitness in the last few days. However, they are not expected to make the starting lineup. The back four is expected to remain the same, with Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen set to stay in central defence.
If Vieira deems Kouyate not ready for a start yet, Will Hughes could keep his place at the base of the Eagles’ midfield, with Conor Gallagher and Jeffrey Schlupp on either side. There could be some changes on the attacking side of things, with Vieira contemplating his available options.
Christian Benteke, Jordan Ayew, and Eberechi Eze are all vying for a place in the side. Vieira could choose the Belgian to lead the line. Wilfried Zaha could be preferred on the left side despite his terrible penalty miss against Norwich, while Michael Olise could keep his place on the right, despite Ayew being an option.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Guaita; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Gallagher, Hughes, Schlupp; Olise, Benteke, Zaha
Key Stats
- Brentford have lost their last five games in the Premier League.
- Brentford have conceded at least two goals in each of their last five Premier League games.
- Crystal Palace have failed to win their last six away games in the Premier League.
- Crystal Palace are winless in four Premier League games.
- Crystal Palace lost to Brentford the last time they met them in an away game in 1977.
Player To Watch
Wilfried Zaha
Upon returning from the AFCON, Zaha looked to have come roaring back when he scored against Norwich to level things up in the midweek contest. However, the missed penalty later cost his team two crucial points. The Ivorian must now shrug off the one bad moment and get back on track to help the Eagles.
The upcoming game provides Zaha with a good chance to perform, considering that the Brentford defence has been vulnerable of late. Crystal Palace’s quest to finish in the top half means they need Zaha’s expertise and leadership more than ever.
Prediction
Brentford 1-2 Crystal Palace
As both sides come into this clash in poor domestic form, Palace might have the edge considering the quality in Vieira’s squad. Brentford certainly have the quality to put up a good fight, but they lack confidence and have a leaky defence.
Palace have the attacking talents to exploit that and cause problems to the Bees backline, who are still reeling from conceding plenty of goals in the last few weeks. Expect the Eagles to collect all three points from this tricky encounter and move up the table.
