Travelling to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City after they’ve dropped points can be one of football’s most daunting challenges. The recent 1-1 draw with Chelsea felt like a defeat for Pep Guardiola’s side, leaving them dejected at the final whistle. Failing to beat the inconsistent Blues means City can’t surpass Premier League leaders Liverpool if the Reds win their game in hand against Brentford – the last team to defeat City on home turf, securing a 2-1 win thanks to Ivan Toney’s double in November 2022.
Even top teams like Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich have struggled to triumph at the Etihad since then. Brentford, who achieved a double over City last season, suffered a 3-1 defeat in their recent encounter, despite Neal Maupay’s opener being overshadowed by Phil Foden’s hat-trick.
Following a 2-0 victory at Wolves, Brentford’s momentum stalled with a 4-1 loss to Liverpool. While Toney has scored four goals in five matches since his return from suspension, facing the defending champions in Manchester presents a monumental task for the Bees, despite Thomas Frank’s tactical prowess.
Bookmakers reflect the challenge, pricing City at no better than 1/5 to win and 7/10 to lead at halftime/fulltime. This match could showcase why Guardiola’s team is feared worldwide, with a victory by more than three goals priced at 7/2 with Betfair and Paddy Power. It’s poised to be a thrilling clash as City aims to reclaim their dominance on home turf.
