Brentford host Everton on Saturday afternoon with each groups concentrating on European soccer subsequent season.
BBC Sport examines a number of the key themes forward of their assembly on the Gtech Neighborhood Stadium.
Brentford and Everton are presently locked on 46 factors within the Premier League desk – presently three factors off the Champions League place of fifth – with the Bees a spot forward on objective distinction in seventh.
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Brentford had been convincing winners once they travelled to Merseyside in January, to finish a six-game winless run towards the Toffees within the Premier League.
Keith Andrews aspect have misplaced simply as soon as of their eight most up-to-date league outings though they’ve solely gained one of many previous six.
Attracts have as an alternative been the order of the day, with Brentford going through the prospect of 4 in a row for the primary time as a Premier League aspect.
A objective from striker Igor Thiago could also be wanted if Brentford are to get again to profitable methods. He wants only one extra to tie the membership Premier League report of 20 in a single season, presently held by Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbuemo.
Igor Thiago is on target to set a brand new report for targets scored by a Brentford participant in a Premier League marketing campaign [BBC]
Thiago scored a hat-trick towards Everton earlier this season and the superlative type of such a standout striker could also be the reason for some envy within the customer’s dugout.
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Everton are having fun with a resurgent season of their very own as additionally they goal European qualification, though the Toffees have achieved so largely with out the providers of a top-level striker.
Thierno Barry has improved over the course of the marketing campaign whereas Beto’s efficiency in scoring two targets within the win towards Chelsea final outing was hailed as his greatest exhibiting in an Everton shirt by supervisor David Moyes, however Everton’s two centre forwards have nonetheless solely totalled 12 league targets between them compared to Thiago’s 19.
Everton have nonetheless discovered a option to shrug off current relegation battles and monetary difficulties to pursue Moyes’ objective of a European place – solely Arsenal and Manchester United have amassed extra factors than Everton’s 21 since matchday 19.
The on 14 March was a primary away from residence for the Toffees in 2026 however their type on the street has typically been glorious.
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They’ve picked up 41 factors in away video games since Moyes returned to the membership in January 2025, second solely to the Gunners, profitable 4 of the previous six.
If Everton are to avenge their complete loss to Brentford three months in the past, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford may as soon as once more be key.
Pickford made one of many to earn Everton their most up-to-date away victory at Newcastle in February and, based mostly on anticipated targets on the right track, the 32-year-old has prevented 24 because the begin of 2022-23 – 9 greater than every other Premier League keeper.
Jordan Pickford has prevented extra targets than every other Premier League goalkeeper in current seasons [BBC]