An in-depth have a look at Saturday’s opponents…
We welcome Brentford to the Etihad Stadium at 17:30 (UK) on Saturday 9 April.
After a late comeback at on Monday earned some extent, we’re now unbeaten in seven video games.
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Sitting 5 factors behind leaders with a sport in hand, we’re searching for three factors to maintain the stress on Mikel Arteta’s facet.
With the assistance of Opta information, let’s discover out slightly extra about our opponents…
Latest kind
Brentford are on the cusp of a historic season, sitting seventh with 51 factors from 35 matches.
Which means they’ve a shot of European qualification for the very first time of their historical past.
Nonetheless, they’ve received simply one in all their final 5 Premier League video games, regardless of solely shedding a type of too.
Most well-liked lineup
hasn’t made a change to his beginning XI within the final three video games, organising in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
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Former Liverpool man has excelled in his first season as a daily primary.
and are the defenders in entrance of him, with on the fitting and an unlikely determine at left-back.
and Yehor Yarmoliuk are the ball-playing midfielders with , and behind central striker Igor Thiago.
Supervisor
Keith Andrews has impressed in his first time period as a supervisor, having been an assistant at MK Dons, Sheffield United and with the Republic of Eire earlier than becoming a member of Brentford.
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He was targeted on set items in his first season earlier than changing Thomas Frank on the helm.
It’s truthful to say he’s excelled, main his facet to 14 wins in 35 video games – a 40% win file inserting above most of the most skilled bosses within the division.
Head-to-head file
We’ve received three of our 4 house Premier League video games in opposition to Brentford, with the 2-1 defeat in November 2022 proving the exception.
Given that is simply their fifth season within the top-flight, we’ve solely really confronted the Bees 9 instances in complete – profitable six and scoring 13 in that point.
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acquired the one objective of the sport within the reverse fixture, whereas we additionally registered a 2-0 victory within the Carabao Cup earlier this season.
How they assault
The important thing factor to notice with Brentford’s assault is the distinctive efficiency of up prime.
The Brazilian has netted 22 instances within the Premier League – solely behind Erling Haaland on 25 – in simply his second marketing campaign in English soccer.
He’s scored nearly half of their targets, with Brentford the league’s seventh greatest scorers on 52.
They’re nevertheless considerably underperforming their xG, having created sufficient probabilities for 56.7 targets.
They’re simply as lethal as Metropolis relating to targets on the break, changing 9 instances in transitions.
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Count on them to maintain going proper till the very finish too, with solely on 19 scoring greater than Brentford’s 18 targets within the final quarter-hour of matches.
Regardless of Andrews’ remit as set piece coach final season, that’s one space they’ve struggled this 12 months, with solely 4 targets from corners – the joint-worst tally in the entire league.
As for possession, don’t count on them to maintain the ball too lengthy, with their 397 common passes per match the sixth lowest of all 20 groups.
How they defend
Letting in 46 targets thus far, Brentford’s defence is the seventh greatest within the Premier League.
Whereas they’re inclined to headed targets (13 conceded, seventeenth greatest within the league), they’re the perfect within the division at defending corners.
They don’t are inclined to press too excessive out of possession, having solely received the ball within the remaining third on 110 events – 15 groups have accomplished so extra.
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In the meantime, they’re not a very in poor health disciplined facet having dedicated the fifth fewest fouls within the Premier League on 360 and suffered one purple card.
Kelleher has been one of many excellent goalkeepers, retaining 10 clear sheets and saving 68.4% of photographs on his objective.
Metropolis’s postponed conflict with Crystal Palace will happen at 20:00 on Wednesday 13 Might.
And you’ll be there to see Pep Guardiola’s facet chasing down the Premier League title!
Tickets for this sport are actually accessible, ranging from £43 for adults and £18 for Underneath-18s.
There are additionally loads of to go well with all vary of budgets!