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It is fair to say that Man City have thoroughly enjoyed playing on home soil in recent months as they have put together an impressive 16-game winning run at the Etihad across all competitions dating back to April, scoring 61 goals in the process.
The Citizens followed up their last-gasp 2-1 Premier League victory with 10 men against Fulham last weekend, with a 2-0 success against Chelsea in the EFL Cup third round, courtesy of second-half strikes from Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez.
Pep Guardiola’s side, who have been drawn against Liverpool at the Etihad in the fourth round, will now turn their attention back to the Premier League with a fourth successive home match this weekend, which is also their final fixture before a six-week break for the World Cup.
Man City have won seven of their last eight top-flight matches, but they still sit two points behind league leaders Arsenal; the Citizens can only finish the weekend at the summit if they beat Brentford and hope that the Gunners drop points away at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday evening.
Indeed, Guardiola and co will be confident of success against Brentford after beating them home and away without conceding last season. City have never claimed three successive league wins against the Bees across 10 previous meetings, though.
The Bees seem to have lost their sting, with Thomas Frank’s side having won only one of their last nine matches across all competitions – a 2-0 home win over Brighton & Hove Albion in mid-October.
Brentford have slipped down to 11th place in the Premier League standings with only three wins on the board after 14 matches, and hopes of heading into the World Cup break on a high will be a tall order against the reigning top-flight champions.
The Bees, who had no more than 24% possession in either of their two encounters with Man City last season, will be seeking to claim their first away victory against the Citizens since a 2-0 triumph on Christmas Day back in 1937.
Man City striker Erling Braut Haaland, who was an unused substitute in midweek, could return to the starting lineup, with Guardiola expected to make several changes to the side that beat Chelsea.
Despite an impressive showing between the sticks against the Blues, Stefan Ortega is set to be replaced by first-choice goalkeeper Ederson, while John Stones, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and Joao Cancelo could make up the back four – the latter of whom is available after serving a one-match ban.
Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden could also be handed starts, with Cole Palmer, Mahrez and Jack Grealish potentially dropping to the substitutes’ bench as a result.
Kalvin Phillips came off the bench in the second half against Chelsea to make his first City appearance in eight weeks after recovering from shoulder surgery, and the midfielder will be hoping to get more minutes under his belt on Saturday. Kyle Walker, meanwhile, remains out as he continues to recover from groin surgery.
As for Brentford, they will be without Pontus Jansson (hamstring), Aaron Hickey, Thomas Strakosha (both ankle), Kristoffer Ajer, Charlie Goode (both knee) and Shandon Baptiste (muscle), who are all ruled out until after the World Cup with injuries.
Frank may decide to use a back five to counteract the threat of Man City, with Ben Mee expected to return at centre-back alongside Ethan Pinnock and Mathias Jorgensen, while Mads Roerslev and Rico Henry are set to operate as wing-backs.
Vitaly Janelt has recovered from a minor muscle injury and will compete with Mathias Jensen, Christian Norgaard and Josh Dasilva for a place in midfield, while Bryan Mbeumo – who will represent Cameroon at the World Cup – is set to partner Toney in attack.
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Stones, Akanji, Ake, Cancelo; De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan; Bernardo, Haaland, Foden
Brentford possible starting lineup:
Raya; Jorgensen, Mee, Pinnock; Roerslev, Jensen, Norgaard, Dasilva, Henry; Mbeumo, Toney
Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo was sent off against Fulham last weekend
TEAM NEWS
Erling Haaland could return to Manchester City’s starting line-up, while Joao Cancelo is available after serving a one-match ban in midweek.
Kyle Walker, who has been selected in England’s World Cup squad, remains out following groin surgery.
Vitaly Janelt has recovered from the minor muscle injury that kept him out of Brentford’s EFL Cup defeat.
Christian Norgaard started that game on his return from an Achilles injury sustained in late August.
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CHRIS SUTTON’S PREDICTION
There are some difficult decisions for managers to make about resting some players before the World Cup depending on their fitness.
You have to remember though that there are points at stake here and people are under pressure. So, Pep Guardiola won’t be doing anyone else any favours – his priority is getting the win for Manchester City.
City beat Fulham the hard way last week with 10 men and through a last-minute penalty, but I think things will be a lot more straightforward for them this time.
Brentford don’t seem to be the same side when they are away from home – they still haven’t beaten anyone on the road this season, and that is not going to change here.
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MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Brentford have lost four consecutive matches against Manchester City in all competitions since a 2-1 victory at Griffin Park in the League Cup in September 1989.
They met in the league for the first time in 70 years last season. City won 1-0 away and then 2-0 at home.
Brentford have lost six of their seven away games versus Manchester City in all competitions, with the exception being a 2-0 top-flight victory at Maine Road on Christmas Day 1937.
Manchester City
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City have equalled the club record of 16 consecutive home wins in all competitions, set between November 1920 and August 1921.
It’s 11 home league victories in a row for Pep Guardiola’ side, their best run since a 14-match streak in 2017-18.
They can match the Premier League record of scoring multiple goals in 16 successive home fixtures, set by Liverpool from February to December 2019.
Erling Haaland has scored 18 goals in 12 Premier League appearances. The fewest games needed to reach 20 goals is 21 by Kevin Phillips.
Haaland can become the first Manchester City player to score in seven consecutive top-flight home matches since David White from December 1991 to February 1992.
Brentford
Brentford are winless in all seven Premier League away trips this season, with four draws and three defeats.
The Bees have only kept one clean sheet in their past 23 away games, conceding 51 goals.
Bryan Mbeumo is poised to become the first player to make 50 Premier League appearances for Brentford on Saturday