Brentford return to the Gtech for the second time in just a few days. The visit of Brighton one which, if the Bees even reach half the level they did against Manchester United on Saturday night, promises to be an absolute banger.
That one finished 1-1 in a game where Brentford hit the woodwork four times, had a goal disallowed by the narrowest of offsides and amassed a whopping 31 shots at goal. That, a figure which has only been surpassed four times in all other Premier League games this campaign. Then United took that 93rd minute lead and it looked like hearts had been broken in the cruelest of fashions.
Except, of course, the pain of being so dominant only to be mugged at the death was nothing more than a fleeting sensation. Kris Ajer arriving in the box just moments later to convert Ivan Toney’s wonderful bit of touchline trickery and silence United’s suddenly chirpy fans. Boo. Hoo. What a shame. From agony to ecstasy and then some.
I can only expect more of the same from The Bees. Thomas Frank used Monday’s press conference to confirm that Bryan Mbeumo is now able to start a game. We’ve already seen the impact he has made from the bench following that long injury break. Having him on from the get-go to support Ivan will only be a huge boost.
Given Wissa also had a blinder against the Red Devils (although, to be fair, who didn’t?) might we get the trio on together? It was certainly something Thomas hinted at when talking about Mbeumo, saying, “I want him in the team as soon as possible. We could maybe have space for all three of them; let’s see.”
With Sergio Reguilón having served a one-game ban after his red card at Burnley, he could feature although this would be harsh on KLP who has filled in admirably at left wing-back. Perhaps a back four would be the way to crowbar everybody in, especially with Christian Norgaard still a while away from fitness. Whilst Thomas will probably stick to his tried and tested formation, it’s just nice to feel as though we have some actual choice once more.
For Brighton, Sunday afternoon saw a 2-1 reverse at Anfield. The title race being the closest it has in years, there was an inevitability about Liverpool pulling the win out the bag despite going behind to Danny Welbeck’s goal just 87 seconds in. There’s no denying Brighton made them work for it and there’s always the hope that the Seagulls’ second road trip in such close proximity could play to Brentford’s hands.
With so much of Brighton’s play coming out from central defence (between them Jan Paul van Hecke and Lewis Dunk accounting for 32% of their team’s passing at Anfield) a high-pressing front line could work wonders. Just remember what happened at Arsenal when Wissa looked to close down the backline.
Brighton won’t make it easy. Anything but. Going into the game just two points away from seventh-placed West Ham, the European places are still very much a genuine aspiration. All this means is that with both sides hugely incentivised to win, goals could be the order of the day. Fingers crossed most of them come from Brentford…
