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Premier League | Gameweek 20

Dec 30, 2023 at 3pm UK

Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace
3 - 1
Brentford

Olise (14', 58'), Eze (39')

FT(HT: 2-1)

Lewis-Potter (2')
Ghoddos (45+2')

Brentford out to avoid equalling losing record in Crystal Palace clash

By Ben Sully | 29 December 2023

Brentford will look to avoid equalling a club record for consecutive Premier League defeats in Saturday's clash with Crystal Palace.

Brentford will attempt to avoid equalling a club record for consecutive Premier League defeats when they face Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The Bees will head into their final game of 2023 in a downbeat mood after losing their last four matches since beating Luton Town at the start of the month.

Thomas Frank's side lost to Brighton & Hove Albion, Sheffield United and Aston Villa before they played host to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday.

Unfortunately for the Bees, they experienced another disappointing result, as they fell to a heavy 4-1 defeat, leaving them in 14th place and four points above the drop zone.

Having now lost four matches on the bounce, Brentford are at risk of equalling a club record of five consecutive Premier League defeats.

With the Bees desperate to avoid another loss, they can draw inspiration from the fact that they are unbeaten in their last seven away London derbies in the Premier League.

Brentford's Neal Maupay in action with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Mario Lemina on December 27, 2023 © Reuters

Impressively, they have emerged victorious from each of their last four top-flight away fixtures against London opposition.

However, claiming all three points will be easier said than done, as Brentford have drawn all five of their Premier League meetings with Crystal Palace.

Incidentally, the previous three games between the two sides have all finished with a 1-1 scoreline, including August's home meeting, where Kevin Schade saw his 18th-minute opener cancelled out by Joachim Andersen.

Schade will be unable to make a difference this time around, with the Germany international one of several names on Brentford's lengthy injury list.

Frank is also unable to call upon the services of Kristoffer Ajer, Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey, Josh Dasilva, Shandon Baptiste and Bryan Mbeumo.

Ben Mee and Frank Onyeka are ruled out through suspension, while Ivan Toney will miss the final Premier League game of his eight-month ban for breaching the Football Association's betting rules.