Tonight’s visitors to the Etihad in Brentford will pose a tricky test for Pep Guardiola’s side. The Bees did beat Manchester City at the Etihad last season and will be eager to pick up a result to move them further away from the relegation zone.
As it stands currently Thomas Frank’s side sits 5 points above the relegation zone. Despite sitting 14th in the table they do have quality in their squad that could unsettle Manchester City.
In Ivan Toney, they possess one of the premier strikers in the Premier League. Since returning from his 8 month ban for betting infringements he has scored 4 goals in 5 games. Toney also helped set up Brentford’s opening goal in City’s 3-1 win at the GTech Community Stadium which was finished by Neil Maupay. Speaking before his team takes on Brentford Pep Guardiola was well aware of the threat posed by the striker. Guardiola said: “He (Toney) is so dangerous. With long balls he is the master, how he uses his body. You can link with him, he is one of the best I have seen. The goal we conceded (at Brentford) we defended not properly but he did it really well.”
Thomas Frank’s side are also a threat from set-pieces. They are one of the best in the Premier League from those situations and their innovation from corners, free kicks and throw-ins makes them a tricky test for Pep Guardiola’s side tonight. Manchester City will be hoping for a similar performance to the one they produced in their 2-nil win over Everton earlier this month. While it wasn’t one of City’s most attractive performances they did successfully limit any opportunities from set-pieces from Everton.
Tonight’s game could see City try for a similar performance to the one they produced when they beat Sean Dyche’s side. Given Brentford’s threat to pose a tricky test for Manchester City, it may be necessary to pick up a vital three points at the Etihad tonight.
