Possessors of the Premier League’s longest ongoing unbeaten run, Brentford, will defend that honour against Liverpool, who bounced back from their league defeat last Sunday with an emphatic win in midweek.
Match News and Current Form
Brentford’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa last Saturday means that they will begin this weekend in fourth place thanks to their unbeaten start to the Premier League season (W2, D4), making this their longest run without losing at the start of a league campaign since 2006/07 in the third tier. They are now without defeat in their last eight top-flight matches (W2, D6), contributing to them also going unbeaten in their last eight home games (W3, D5). All those draws are cause for concern as they have often held the lead, and since entering the division in 2021, the Bees have dropped more points from winning positions than any other side in the Premier League going into this weekend (102).
Liverpool were in desperate need of the 6-3 thumping they handed LASK in Europe, after relinquishing their own eight-game run without losing when collapsing to a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at Anfield. Andoni Iraola was unbeaten in 23 Premier League matches prior across his stints with the Reds and former club Bournemouth (W10, D13), and he has no time to dwell on that disappointment having never overseen a victory over Brentford (D2, L5). His side have been performing well away from home lately too, winning their last three such games and keeping clean sheets in their last two league matches on the road.
Head-to-Head History
After five successive Liverpool wins, Brentford avoided defeat in both of last season’s H2Hs (W1, D1). They now face the Reds at home while above them in the table for the first time since 1938.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Six of Brentford's last seven matches saw both teams score.
Brentford scored each of their last five goals at home after half-time.
Liverpool have not trailed any of their last seven games at the break.
Liverpool scored 2+ goals in six of their last seven away matches.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Vitaly Janelt has received a yellow card in ten of his last 16 Premier League appearances, including four of Brentford’s six such games this season. Bradley Barcola finally opened his Liverpool account with his hat-trick on Wednesday, meaning his last five club goals have all come away from home.
Brentford duo Kevin Schade and Jannik Schuster went off injured against Villa, while Liverpool will be without the suspended Ryan Gravenberch after his red card against Man City.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
The Reds’ midweek confidence boost coupled with their recent good away league form makes Liverpool to score first an enticing option here.
Author: Peter Stavrinou