The Gtech Community Stadium will provide the backdrop to this upcoming clash between Brentford and Everton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon with both teams keen to return to winning ways to alleviate some early pressure.
Prior to last weekend’s all-London clash in the nation’s capital to Fulham in a 3-2 defeat at Craven Cottage, Brentford had made a promising start to this new Premier League campaign as The Bees had picked up four points from their opening two games of the season.
Back home on Saturday 🐝#BrentfordFC | #BREEVE pic.twitter.com/t3AdpuoweK— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) August 25, 2022
Back home on Saturday 🐝#BrentfordFC | #BREEVE pic.twitter.com/t3AdpuoweK
A worthy point gained after a 2-2 draw away from home at Leicester City on the opening day of the season was followed by an emphatic 4-0 rout of Manchester United on home soil at their Gtech Community Stadium which really put the cat among the pigeons at Old Trafford!
Brentford did bounce back in midweek with a win though as they registered a 2-0 victory away from home at League Two outfit, Colchester United, in the 2nd round of the League Cup and Saturday’s hosts will be looking to home form once again in order to pick up a welcome three points.
Results at home have also improved in the English top flight for Brentford as The Bees have lost just once in their last six games at their new stadium whilst also picking up four wins in the shape of victories over Burnley, West Ham, Southampton and Manchester United, so the hosts will feel upbeat about their chances this weekend.
Brentford defender, Pinnock, has once again been ruled out with injury while fellow defender Ajer and midfielder, Canos, are fighting to be fit for this clash.
Onto Everton and although the new campaign brought renewed hope and optimism for a lot of clubs, Everton find themselves in a similar situation to that of last season as The Toffees currently sit fourth from bottom in the early Premier League standings with just one point under their belts so far this term.
That single point was thanks to a 1-1 draw at home with Nottingham Forest and even then they didn’t score until the 88th minute to rescue a point against the newcomers, Forest.
Everton also recorded a midweek win in the form of a 1-0 win away from home at League One club, Fleetwood Town, in the 2nd round of the League Cup but the merseysiders return to Premier League action having lost three of their last four matches overall in the top flight.
A last day 5-1 thrashing away from home at Arsenal at the end of last term has been followed by dismal defeats to Chelsea and Aston Villa in 1-0 and 2-1 losses so far this season and this upcoming trip to face Brentford looks like being another tough battle for The Toffees.
To make matters worse, Everton have a raft of personnel missing for this trip to the nation’s capital with the likes of defenders, Mina and Godfrey, midfielders Doucoure, Townsend and Davies, along with forward Calvert-Lewin all ruled out with injuries.
Midfielder Gomes is rated as doubtful while forward Gordon may be left out with the potential sale to Chelsea looking imminent.
Given Everton’s numerous absentees and slow start to this season, Brentford look the more likely to capture the three points here.