Brentford host Sheffield United at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday, with both teams desperate to get back to winning ways.
Brentford are winless in their last six Premier League matches, and they will be desperate to steer clear of the relegation zone with a victory over Sheffield United. The Bees are 16th in the standings, and they could easily be dragged into the bottom three if they continue to drop points.
Sheffield United are at the bottom of the league table, and they are winless in their last six league matches. The Blades will be eager to boost their survival hopes with a positive result against Brentford on Saturday.
The South Yorkshire side picked up a win over Brentford the last time these two sides met in the Premier League, and it remains to be seen whether they can complete a league double here. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Brentford
Joshua Dasilva, Aaron Hickey, Rico Henry and Ben Mee are ruled out for the remainder of the season. Christian Norgaard misses out with the lower back injury. Brentford will shape up in a 3-5-2 formation, with Mark Flekken in goal.
In the back three, Zanka will start alongside Kristoffer Ajer and Nathan Collins. Mads Roerslev and Sergio Reguilon will start as the wing-backs here, and they will look to help out in the attack and protect the central defenders.
In the middle of the park, Vitaly Janelt will start alongside Mathias Jensen and Mikkel Damsgaard. The Denmark international will look to add creativity and drive to the side, while Janelt and Jensen will add defensive cover. Bryan Mbeumo will lead the line alongside Ivan Toney.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Flekken; Zanka, Collins, Ajer; Roerslev, Damsgaard, Jensen, Janelt, Reguilon; Mbeumo, Toney
Sheffield United
The visitors will be without John Egan because of an ankle injury, George Baldock because of a calf injury, and Tom Davies because of a thigh injury. Max Lowe, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Chris Basham, Rhian Brewster, and Daniel Jebbison are ruled out for the season.
Sheffield United will shape up in a 3-5-2 formation, with Ivo Grbic in goal. In the back three, Mason Holgate will start alongside Anel Ahmedhodzic and Jack Robinson. Jayden Bogle and Auston Trusty will start as the wing-backs. They will look to keep things compact at the back and help out during transitions.
In the middle of the park, Gustavo Hamer and Vinicius Souza will add defensive cover to the side. Oliver Arblaster will add creativity and drive to the midfield. Oliver McBurnie will lead to the line for Sheffield United alongside Ben Brereton Diaz.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Grbic; Holgate, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson; Bogle, Souza, Hamer, Ardblaste, Trustyr; Brereton Diaz, McBurnie
Key Stats
- Brentford have drawn their last three matches in the Premier League.
- Sheffield United have won their last three matches against Brentford in all competitions.
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in ten of Sheffield United’s last 11 games in the Premier League.
- 11 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two sides.
- Both teams are winless in their last six Premier League matches.
Player to Watch
Ivan Toney
The 28-year-old will look to get on the scoresheet here. Brentford will need Toney to step up and make a difference in the final third if they want to grind out all three points. The Bees are struggling right now, and it will be interesting to see if Toney can inspire them to a win. The 28-year-old is more than just a goalscorer, and he will help create opportunities for his teammates as well.
Prediction
Brentford 2-1 Sheffield United
Brentford are undoubtedly the better team on paper, and they will be expected to grind out all three points. The Bees will be desperate to bounce back strongly, and the home fans will expect a reaction from the players.
Sheffield United are completely devoid of form and confidence. They are lacking in momentum as well. The home team will be motivated to grind out a win here after losing to Sheffield United earlier this season. This is likely to be a close contest, but the home team will be the favourites.
