MY ACCOUNT
– Brentford have won their last two Premier League home games, scoring at least two goals each time
– Southampton have lost six of their last eight Premier League away games, averaging two goals conceded per loss
– Recommended bet: Back Brentford to win and over 1.5 goals
Brentford’s top-six dream could become a reality when they host rock-bottom Southampton at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Bees were quiet on transfer deadline day, despite Thomas Frank’s concerns that they could be left light up front if Ivan Toney is hit with a significant ban.
Brentford remain bottom of the Premier League’s five-year net spending table, but clever recruitment has kept them clear of the relegation trapdoor.
Two points from safety after 20 league games, Southampton bolstered their attacking options with the club-record signing of Kamaldeen Sulemana from Rennes and £18million acquisition of Paul Onuachu, the top scorer in Belgium this season.
Boss Nathan Jones was kept across the last-minute deals as his Saints side were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-final, second leg, to miss out on a trip to Wembley.
Team news
The Bees tried to sign Fortuna Dusseldorf’s striker Dawid Kownacki in January, but the Poland international was not eligible for a work permit under post-Brexit immigration rules.
Frank did allow Sergi Canos to join Greek Super League side Olympiacos on loan for the rest of the season.
The Brentford boss is likely to select a similar line-up to the one he went with at Leeds a fortnight ago when Rico Henry was restored at left-back, and Aaron Hickey returned to the bench.
For Southampton, Jones is expected to continue with the three-at-the-back system he used at St James’ Park.
Duje Caleta-Car could return to the starting XI alongside Mohamed Salisu and Lyanco, with James Bree continuing at right wing-back.
Jones played down the severity of the hamstring injury that forced Kyle Walker-Peters off before half-time on Tuesday night, but Romain Perraud stands by to deputise on the left.
Onuachu could be handed a debut start in attack, while Sulemana, who opted for a move to St Mary’s over Everton, will probably have to wait for his chance off the bench due to a lack of full-match action recently.
The stats
Brentford are yet to lose a Premier League game when scoring first, winning 16 and drawing four.
The 0-0 stalemate at Elland Road means the Bees have drawn 11 games in the Premier League since January 1 2022; only Crystal Palace (12) have had more in that time.
With his strike against Blackpool in the FA Cup, Perraud became the first player other than James Ward-Prowse to score a direct free-kick for Southampton since Cedric Soares against Manchester United in December 2018.
Ward-Prowse remains two goals away from equalling David Beckham’s record of the most free-kick goals scored in the Premier League (18).
Prediction
Brentford have been impressive at home over a long period of time and should not fail to take three points against a Southampton side that have not been threatening enough away from home.
The South Coast club have tried to address that issue with the two transfer deadline day signings, but it may take some time before Onuachu builds up an understanding with his new teammates or Sulemana is fully match-fit.
Jones’ squad are likely to be drained physically and emotionally by their midweek defeat in Newcastle, and Brentford are one of the last teams they would want to face in this situation.
The hosts will be fresh from a fortnight off, and if they get the opening goal, their record suggests a win will follow.
Back the Bees to win with over 1.5 goals in the game at 29/20 with LiveScore Bet.
