Another set of matches in the Premier League begins on Monday evening when two sides look to conclude what you could call their festive schedule with a win when Brentford welcome Liverpool to the capital.
Both teams have come back from the World Cup break in very good order and another win will complete a good week for whoever picks it up. Brentford will move up to seventh with a victory while three points would take Liverpool into the top five for the first time this term.
Where to watch
The match will be available to view on the Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League channels with the build-up to it beginning at 5pm and kick off in London taking place at 5.30pm.
Brentford
Brentford have come out of the World Cup break with a draw against Tottenham and a win at West Ham and on another day they would have had two wins having led Spurs 2-0. They have never been a side who have feared the big teams in the Premier League whenever they have faced them and you sense they will give this a good go. They probably have the licence to do that given the two results they have already picked up in the last week.
The question mark over Brentford going into this match is whether they have enough about them defensively to keep Liverpool quiet. If they do then there is no reason why they can’t get plenty out of this match because the one thing we know about this Brentford team is they are very strong going forward, whether that is in open play on the counter or via set pieces, something Liverpool defended terribly here last year.
Liverpool
The Reds have gone even better than Brentford since the break. They have picked up two wins over Aston Villa and Leicester City and while they were in control of the former game, they needed two own goals to come from behind to win the latter one. That would usually be a surprise but the lack of depth in this Liverpool squad at the minute really isn’t in keeping with previous seasons so successive games in quick turnarounds doesn’t suit them at all.
That is the concern for them here. This will be a third match in a week and there is only so many times the stars can go to the well and deliver the performances we would expect from them. A lot has been made of the fact they keep conceding the opening goal in matches and that in itself highlights that there is a fragility in their defence. They should always have goals in them although a number of chances have come and gone in these last two matches which will annoy them.
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Team News
Brentford are suggesting that despite being stretchered off on Friday night, Ivan Toney could be available for this match. Whether that is just to keep Liverpool guessing or he actually is fit remains to be seen.
Liverpool are not expecting new signing Cody Gakpo to be registered in time to make his debut in this match but Roberto Firmino could be involved. Ibrahima Konate is back from the World Cup and could come into the side.
Betting
This match isn’t the easiest one to bet on before we see the team sheets, particularly the Brentford one to see if Ivan Toney is anywhere near it. You would think if he is fit to feature in this match he will only be on the bench but I don’t really want to oppose Brentford and then find out he is starting and there is nothing wrong with him. The same can be said of Liverpool who will surely make changes and again you wouldn’t want to oppose them and see they are stronger than expected.
I will go with one bet though and that comes in the form of Mathias Jensen to have over 0.5 shots. He has had a shot in three of his last five starts with one of those where he didn’t coming on Friday night when he was withdrawn prior to the hour mark, presumably to ensure he is fresh enough to go again here. We saw on Friday evening that the Leicester midfielders got past their Liverpool counterparts to have a shot at goal so the Dane could have joy there but he is also solid on set plays around the box and 13/8 for him to add to his shot collection this season looks decent enough to me.
Tips
Back M.Jensen – Over 0.5 shots for a 3/10 stake at 2.63 with Boylesports
Back him here:
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