This Saturday afternoon, struggling Leicester City will travel to the Gtech Community Stadium to take on Brentford in a Premier League match. With Leicester currently without a manager, the Foxes hope to change their fortunes against a strong Brentford side which has made their home stadium a fortress.
Current Form and Standings
Brentford
Position: 11th with 17 points from 12 matches.
Recent Form: Brentford held Everton to a goalless draw last weekend despite being reduced to 10 men early. The result keeps them eight points above the relegation zone and only six points behind second-placed Manchester City.
Home Form: Unbeaten in their first six home games this season (W5, D1), Brentford boasts the best home record in the league.
Leicester City
Position: 16th with 10 points from 12 matches.
Recent Form: Leicester are on a five-game winless streak across all competitions, including last weekend’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea, which led to the sacking of manager Steve Cooper.
Away Form: The Foxes have only managed one win in their last 13 Premier League away matches.
Match Preview
Brentford
Known for their fun matches, Thomas Frank’s men have seen at least three goals in nine of their first 11 games this season. The goals can be fun, with plenty of flair up front, but the defense has also been porous, conceding 22 times already.
Brentford are looking to win four successive home league games for the first time since their promotion to the Premier League. However, they face a poor head-to-head record against Leicester, failing to win in any of their last eight meetings with the Foxes.
Leicester City
Fresh from their Championship win last season, Leicester are finding life tough in the Premier League. The Foxes have a rearguard that has leaked 14 goals in the last five games and lie just one point above the relegation zone.
Reports indicate Ruud van Nistelrooy will become Leicester’s new boss, although he might not be in the dugout on Saturday. Whatever happens with regard to managers, Leicester’s long dominance over Brentford – the Foxes have lost none of the past eight league meetings between these two clubs – offers some encouragement.
Recent Form
Brentford (Premier League): WLWLWD
Brentford (All Competitions): LWWLWD
Team News
Brentford
The Bees will be without the following players due to injury:
Out: Josh Dasilva, Rico Henry (both knee), Aaron Hickey (thigh).
Doubtful: Kristoffer Ajer (foot), Gustavo Nunes (back).
Key Players:
Christian Norgaard will start in midfield after the suspension was overturned, as Mathias Jensen and Vitaly Janelt partner him.
Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, and Mikkel Damsgaard will lead the attack.
Predicted Lineup:
Formation: 4-3-3
Starting XI: Flekken; Van den Berg, Collins, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter; Jensen, Norgaard, Janelt; Mbeumo, Wissa, Damsgaard.
Leicester City
The Foxes have some injury problems of their own:
Out: Abdul Fatawu (ACL), Ricardo Pereira (thigh), and Jakub Stolarczyk (ankle).
Doubtful: Harry Winks (groin injury).
Key Players:
Facundo Buonanotte is back from suspension and might start in an advanced role.
Veteran Jamie Vardy may lead the attack.
Predicted Lineup:
Formation: 4-3-3
Starting XI: Hermansen; Justin, Faes, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Skipp, Ndidi, Soumare; Buonanotte, Vardy, Mavididi.
Prediction: Brentford 2-1 Leicester City
With Brentford’s home form making them favorites, and their vulnerable defense, Leicester’s inconsistency on the road gives the Bees an advantage. The Foxes might score, but Brentford’s attacking trio should make the difference as they secure all three points.
