Brentford will host Brighton at the Gtech Community Stadium this Saturday in an eagerly anticipated Premier League encounter. Currently occupying the seventh position with 40 points, Brentford is firmly in the race for European qualification, trailing just four points behind the top five teams.
Under the guidance of Keith Andrews, Brentford has remained unbeaten in their last four matches across all competitions. This includes a commendable 1-1 draw against league leaders Arsenal last week and a solid FA Cup victory over Macclesfield on Monday. The team’s attacking prowess is amplified by Igor Thiago, who currently ranks as the Premier League’s second top scorer with 17 goals. Additionally, Kevin Schade is set to make his return from a three-match suspension, providing Andrews with further attacking options against a Brighton team that has struggled defensively.
Brighton, on the other hand, is grappling with a difficult season. They have managed to win just one of their last 13 Premier League games and are yet to secure a victory away from home since November. This poor run of form has seen them plummet from fifth place to 14th since December. While Brighton claimed a 2-1 victory over Brentford earlier in the season, they now face the challenge of reversing their fortunes.
A notable milestone could be reached on Saturday if James Milner takes to the pitch, as he would surpass Gareth Barry to become the all-time Premier League appearance record holder with 654 games.
With Brentford’s impressive home record and the potent threat posed by Thiago, they enter this match as the clear favorites. Brighton’s recent troubles in front of goal could hinder their efforts to secure anything from this encounter.
Fans can look forward to an exciting match with high stakes for both teams in their quest to improve their standing in the league.