MX23RW : Monday, December 30 17:27:22| >> :60:361:361:
[monks data]
Brentford logo
Premier League | Gameweek 25
Feb 12, 2022 at 3pm UK
Brentford Community Stadium
Crystal Palace logo

Brentford
0 - 0
Crystal Palace


Canos (42')
FT

Preview: Brentford vs. Crystal Palace - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Premier League clash between Brentford and Crystal Palace, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Brentford and Crystal Palace will both seek an immediate return to winning ways when they do battle in Saturday's Premier League showdown at the Brentford Community Stadium.

The Bees went down 2-0 to Manchester City in midweek, while Patrick Vieira's side were held to a 1-1 draw by a resurgent Norwich City.


Match preview

Brentford manager Thomas Frank on February 5, 2022© Reuters

Attempting to get one over the reigning champions is a tall order in itself without the absence of a star striker, but with Brentford losing Ivan Toney to a late calf issue, Pep Guardiola's men got the job done with professionalism on Wednesday.

Raheem Sterling won yet another penalty for the Citizens - seeing him regain the Premier League leadership in that category - which Riyad Mahrez comfortably converted before Brentford's attempts to play out from the back were punished by Kevin De Bruyne.

Brentford's streak of red may cause Thomas Frank and his crop to start looking over their shoulder, with the Bees still 14th in the table but now just six points above the relegation zone having played a game more than 18th-placed Norwich.

The 2-1 loss at the Etihad Stadium made it six defeats in a row across all competitions for this formerly formidable Brentford outfit - who have conceded at least two goals on each occasion in that abysmal stretch - and it is now five top-flight losses on the bounce for the newly-promoted outfit.

Arsenal and Liverpool need no reminding how resilient Brentford can be in front of their own supporters - with four of their six league wins this term coming on home soil - and a positive result would see them improve their league standing at the expense of Palace's.

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira before the match on February 5, 2022© Reuters

Back from the Africa Cup of Nations with a bang, Wilfried Zaha stamped his authority on the Carrow Road turf with a magnificent long-range effort to restore parity against Norwich before a warm embrace with manager Patrick Vieira.

Teemu Pukki had given the hosts the lead after just 38 seconds in Wednesday's game - the fastest goal of the 2021-22 Premier League so far - and Palace now face a crucial period of London derbies if their top-half ambitions are to remain alive after Zaha's wayward penalty following his thunderbolt.

Vieira's side must also lock horns with capital rivals Chelsea and Watford before the month ends, and having now failed to win any of their last four in the Premier League, the Eagles are now 13th in the standings - one place and two points above their upcoming opponents with a game in hand.

The Eagles being dragged into a late scrap for survival is not beyond the realm of possibility - especially if Vieira wants to see how far he can take his side in the FA Cup - and Brentford will sense an opportunity with Palace now winless in six league matches away from home.

The first-ever Premier League meeting between Brentford and Palace in the second gameweek of the season ended in a drab 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park, but the Bees have won the last three clashes with the Eagles on home soil, although their most recent one was all the way back in 1977.

Brentford Premier League form:
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L

Brentford form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • L

Crystal Palace Premier League form:
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • D

Crystal Palace form (all competitions):
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • D



Team News

Brentford's Ivan Toney celebrates scoring their first goal on February 5, 2022© Reuters

Brentford duo Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo were both fit to return off the bench at the Etihad after recovering from bouts of COVID-19, and Frank hopes to welcome Toney back to the fold as well.

Vitaly Janelt also missed the 2-0 midweek defeat due to an abdominal issue but could return for this one, while Tarique Fosu, Julian Jeanvier and Mathias Jorgensen continue to recover from their issues.

January arrival Christian Eriksen is still building up his match fitness, and Frank may consider demoting Saman Ghoddos and Mads Roerslev down to the bench given his refreshed options in attack.

Meanwhile, Palace are relatively well-stocked for this battle after welcome James McArthur back to the bench at Carrow Road, but Nathan Ferguson has suffered a fresh injury setback.

Senegal AFCON hero Cheikhou Kouyate has been enjoying the post-trophy celebrations and is also an uncertainty for this one, with any potential minutes sure to come from the bench.

Vieira may opt to freshen up his forward line with the introductions of Odsonne Edouard and Eberechi Eze, with Jean-Philippe Mateta's place at risk despite his run of matches in recent weeks.

Brentford possible starting lineup:
Raya; Ajer, Jansson, Pinnock; Canos, Norgaard, Onyeka, Jensen, Henry; Mbeumo, Wissa

Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Guaita; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Schlupp, Hughes, Gallagher; Eze, Edouard, Zaha


SM words green background

We say: Brentford 2-2 Crystal Palace

Brentford were certainly not embarrassed by Man City in midweek, and the prospect of welcoming Toney, Wissa and/or Mbeumo back to the starting lineup bodes well for the desperate Bees.

The last thing that Palace need is another draw - especially away from home - and their bountiful options in the final third should cause the hosts all sorts of problems, but we have faith in Frank's side to end their winless streak in an entertaining stalemate.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data



ID:477706:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect12533:
Written by
Ben Knapton

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Brentford win with a probability of 37.81%. A win for Crystal Palace had a probability of 34.29% and a draw had a probability of 27.9%.

The most likely scoreline for a Brentford win was 1-0 with a probability of 11.46%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (7.99%) and 2-0 (6.98%). The likeliest Crystal Palace win was 0-1 (10.78%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (13.13%). The actual scoreline of 0-0 was predicted with a 9.4% likelihood. Our team at Sports Mole correctly predicted a draw in this match.


Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Brentford vs Crystal Palace

Brentford
35.9%
Draw
31.5%
Crystal Palace
32.6%
184
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Brentford manager Thomas Frank pictured on March 3, 2021
Read Next:
Thomas Frank admits automatic promotion is Watford's to lose
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
3Arsenal18106235161936
4Chelsea18105338211735
5Manchester CityMan City199463226631
6Bournemouth198652923630
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186842726126
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford187383232024
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
19Ipswich TownIpswich1826101633-1712
20Southampton1913151239-276


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!