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Brentford FC – Tottenham Hotspur
The World Cup in Qatar is history and did not deliver a satisfactory result, especially for the English national team. The Three Lions were eliminated by France in the quarter-finals. Striker Harry Kane was not entirely uninvolved in this defeat, as he missed a penalty kick that could have equalised the score at 2:2. The Tottenham Hotspur star did not have much time to digest this bitter pill, however, as the day-to-day business of the Premier League resumes on Boxing Day. A London derby awaits coach Antonio Conte’s team on Boxing Day.
It is within an hour’s drive from the north of the English capital to Brentford in the west. The Bees went into the World Cup break with a real bang. Coach Thomas Frank’s side won 2-1 away at Manchester City to claim their first win after four winless appearances in a row. With Spurs, the west Londoners welcome the next club from the Big Six, against whom a surprise should be possible. What we expect from this duel, you can read in our Brentford – Tottenham Tip.
Brentford – Tottenham info:
– Date & Time: 26/12/2022, 13:30.
– Venue: Gtech Community Stadium, London
– Competition: Premier League, Matchday 17
– TV broadcast: Sky
Brentford Form & Balance Check
Brentford FC won 2-0 over Brighton & Hove Albion on matchday 11 to secure their third win of the season. However, coach Frank’s team failed to respond to that treble. The win was followed by a 0-0 draw against Chelsea, but Aston Villa beat the Bees 4-0, and Brentford only drew against the two basement children Wolverhampton (1-1) and Nottingham Forrest (2-2). Then, before the World Cup, there was the away game at champions Man City. Striker Ivan Toney made it his personal mission after the 26-year-old was not called up by Three Lions coach Southgate for Qatar. Toney single-handedly decided the match, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win.
Only one home defeat
Not only was it surprising that the Bees managed to beat Man City, but also that this success was achieved away from home. Brentford definitely have their strengths at home this season. The team from the Gtech Community Stadium has taken twelve of its 19 points at home so far. It is true that the last three home games ended without a winner. But among others, Manchester United were defeated 4-0 at home. Chelsea also failed to win in West London. Only one team has managed to do so so far this season. League leaders Arsenal won 3-0 at the Bees on Matchday 8. Brentford are unbeaten again for four home games now.
Brentford facts & analysis
– Brentford are in 10th place in the table with 19 points.
– Before the World Cup break, the Bees won 2-1 at Man City.
– So far Brentford have only lost one of seven home games.
Tottenham Form & Balance Check
The only thing preventing Tottenham from competing for the championship so far is the toxic relationship between coach Antonio Conte and his employer. Time and again, the unnecessary tensions between coach and board upset the team. This was the case in the last appearance before the World Cup, when Tottenham trailed 3-2 until the 81st minute at home to Leeds United. Rodrigo Bentancur scored a brace in just two minutes to rescue Spurs into the World Cup break.
Had Spurs lost, it would have been their fourth defeat from their last five games. So the record is still not satisfactory, but there are two wins and three defeats to be found. In addition, the success over Leeds was a quick-witted answer to the 2-1 defeat against Liverpool the previous week. Spurs are eight points clear of league leaders Arsenal.
Biggest defence in the Big Six
It’s not just the tension between Tottenham boss Daniel Levy and Antonio Conte that is preventing the big one in north London, but also the sometimes fatal performances in defence. Spurs have already conceded 21 goals. No other team up to 9th place in the table conceded as many goals as Tottenham. By comparison, Wolverhampton, bottom of the table, conceded only three more. How fortunate that Antonio Conte can rely on Kane, Son and Richarlison in his attack. With 31 goals, Tottenham scored only two goals less than Arsenal. Kane is 2nd in the goalscoring charts with twelve goals.
Tottenham facts & analysis
– Tottenham are 4th in the table with 29 points.
– Before the World Cup break, Spurs won 4-2 over Leeds.
– Tottenham conceded 21 goals, the most of any club up to 9th place.
Predicted line-up – last update on 24 December 2022
Coach Thomas Frank still has to do without left-back Aaron Hickey after the World Cup break. The 22-year-old is out with an ankle injury. Kristoffer Ajer, Pontus Jansson and Shandon Baptiste are expected to be back in the squad for the time being after a long period of absence. In their last outing, a 2-1 win over Manchester City, Brentford played a 3-5-2 formation.
Striker Richarlison suffered a thigh injury in Qatar, so the Brazilian is still questionable. The same applies to Ryan Sessegnon, who suffered the same injury. Coach Antonio Conte used a 3-4-3 system in the 4-3 win over Leeds United before the World Cup break. Should Richarlison miss out, Kulusevski will play.
Brentford – Tottenham direct comparison & stats
Tottenham have only met Brentford three times. Spurs won two games 2-0 before the last meeting ended 0-0 at the Bees.
– Brentford have never scored a goal against Tottenham.
– At the Bees this duel took place only once.
– In both 2-0 wins, Tottenham led 1-0 at the break.
