Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker:
With plenty of pressure on their shoulders this weekend, Manchester United will welcome Brentford to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
Manchester United
Starting with the hosts, suffering an infamous Champions League collapse at Old Trafford earlier in the week, Manchester United find themselves in the midst of another public nightmare. Eventually suffering an action-packed 3-2 defeat at the hands of Turkish giants Galatasaray, Erik ten Hag has a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders. Now facing a major uphill battle in their bid to punch a Champions League knockout stage ticket, the former Ajax boss will be desperate for his side to claim a crucial response here. However, last seen in top-flight action getting hit with a toothless 1-0 loss against Crystal Palace, the Reds have now lost five of their previous seven appearances across all competitions a run that stems all the way back to August 26th. Opening their Champions League adventure with a 4-3 loss against Bayern Munich on September 20th, ten Hag’s side have certainly gained a reputation for their glaring struggles at the back.
Team News
While Casemiro might have been shown a Champions League red card against Galatasaray in midweek, the ex-Real Madrid midfielder should start here. However, Manchester United will be unable to call upon the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Aaron Wan-Bissaka at Old Trafford.
Bagging a Champions League brace earlier in the week, summer arrival Rasmus Hojlund will be looking to open his domestic account on Saturday afternoon. Notching just a single Premier League strike this season, England international Marcus Rashford could be taken out of the firing line.
Brentford
As for the visitors, while Brentford might have gained a string of plaudits last season as they claimed a top-half finish, Thomas Frank’s side have struggled to find a similar level this time around. Last seen missing out on what they would have billed as a potential opportunity as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest, the Bees are without a single win from their previous six appearances against Premier League opposition. With that extended rut stemming all the way back to August 19th, Frank will have a mounting headache over his side’s defensive issues on either side of September’s international break. With their recent issues highlighted by a shock 3-1 defeat at home against relegation scrappers Everton a fortnight ago, Brentford have mustered just a sole clean sheet since opening the 2023/24 campaign. Nevertheless, despite battling it out in the bottom-half of the Premier League standings, the bees could be smelling the chance to lay down a heavyweight marker.
Team News
Suffering a long-term knee injury last month, Brentford will be without full-back Rico Henry on Saturday afternoon. Likewise, the Bees will be unable to call upon the likes of Josh Dasilva, Kevin Schade and Mikkel Damsgaard when they arrive at Old Trafford this weekend.
With attacking talisman Ivan Toney still serving a ban and not due to return until January, 27-year-old Yoane Wissa will lead Frabk’s charge here. Despite notching just a single strike from his previous seven appearances across all competitions, Bryan Mbeumo will once again partner Wissa in the final third.
Key Factors to Consider
