Brentford vs. Manchester United

March 30, 2024

Brentford take on Manchester United at the Gtech Community Stadium when the Premier League resumes this weekend.

Manchester United won the last Premier League meeting between the clubs, emerging victorious 2-1 at Old Trafford earlier this season. Scott McTominay's stoppage-time brace rescued Erik ten Hag's men just before the October international break as Mathias Jensen opened the scoring for Brentford in the 26^th minute.

The Red Devils have won four of their five meetings with the Bees since the West London side's promotion in 2021, but the bitter taste of their 4-0 defeat at Brentford in Erik ten Hag's second Premier League match remains noticeable.

Brentford Betting Preview (+175 at Everygame)

We can clearly state that an under-performing Brentford host top-four hopefuls Manchester United in Saturday's late kick-off. The Bees will be looking to get back on track following back-to-back 2-1 defeats at the hands of Arsenal and Burnley prior to the break.

Thomas Frank's side finished 9^th in the Premier League last term but their third consecutive top-flight season looks far from settled at this point. The Bees are winless in their last six league matches (losing five) and are only five points over the drop zone, following Nottingham Forest's point deduction.

Returning after his betting ban, Ivan Toney properly reintroduced himself on the international stage during this month's international break. The Brentford forward made his first England start to score his maiden international goal in a 2–2 friendly draw with Belgium at Wembley earlier this week.

Even though he's yet to score for Brentford since his consolation goal in a 4-1 home defeat to Liverpool in mid-February, Toney remains a first-choice striker in Thomas Frank's setup.

With that said, Toney will be eager to prove himself in the final weeks of the season if he is to outlast any other competition and make his way into Gareth Southgate's England squad for this summer's European Championship in Germany.

Sergio Reguilon, who spent the first-half of the season on loan at Manchester United, is suspended for Brentford as the Spanish left-back was sent-off against Burnley last time out.

Moreover, a host of first-team players are still injured, meaning that Thomas Frank will be without the likes of Ethan Pinnock, Ben Mee, Josh Dasilva, Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey, Kevin Schade and skipper Christian Norgaard.

Manchester United Betting Preview (+135 at Everygame)

Erik ten Hag's side entered the spring internationals in a buoyant mood after the uplifting FA Cup triumph over Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool. With an upcoming semi-final against Championship side Coventry at Wembley on 21 April 2024, it looks like United could be poised for another domestic Cup final under Ten Hag.

But are the Cup performances enough to save the Dutchman's job at Old Trafford? Only the new management has the answer, and the only thing he can do is to win as much as possible - a Champions League entry and winning the FA Cup would be an acceptable end of a turbulent and injury-ridden campaign for the Red Devils.

We don't want to underestimate Coventry's ability, but let's face it - United are huge favorites and anything other than a win would be a shocking outcome.

In the Premier League, Manchester United also returned to winning ways following the back-to-back defeats to Fulham and Manchester City when they beat Everton 2-0 at Old Trafford three weeks ago. Thus, the Red Devils remain six points behind Tottenham in fifth and must brace themselves for an eventful week that will see them traveling to face both rivals Chelsea and Liverpool in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, in a massive boost for United's defensive tactics, Lisandro Martinez is set to return to the Manchester United squad for the first time in eight weeks against Brentford.

The Argentine defender has been sidelined due to a medial collateral ligament injury since the 3-0 home win over West Ham on February 4 but he did ball-work during Argentina's training sessions this month.

Elsewhere, left-back Luke Shaw remains sidelined but Erik ten Hag revealed he expects him to feature again this season, probably in May. Yet, the Manchester United boss was vague over the specific availability of certain players during his pre-match press conference.

Amad Diallo, who scored the last-gasp winner against Liverpool, will serve a one-game suspension, while Altay Bayindir, Tyrell Malacia and Anthony Martial are also injured for United.

Possible Starting Lineups of Brentford and Manchester United

Brentford: Mark Flekken - Zanka, Kristoffer Ajer, Nathan Collins - Mads Roerslev, Frank Onyeka, Mathias Jensen, Vitaly Janelt, Keane Lewis-Potter - Yoane Wissa, Ivan Toney. (3-5-2)

Manchester United: Andre Onana - Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Diogo Dalot - Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo - Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford - Rasmus Hojlund. (4-2-3-1)

Spooky Express Betting Prediction

While Manchester United will be looking to ride on the momentum of their recent derby win, Brentford will be desperate to start earning points.

The Red Devils will be inspired by their dramatic victory over arch rivals Liverpool but they need to show consistency in the final weeks of the campaign.

Given the current circumstances and also considering Brentford's limited options at the back, we can only imagine another win for Manchester United. In fact, 12 of their 15 Premier League victories this season have been by a one-goal margin.

Spooky Express Free Play: Manchester United +135 at Everygame for 6/10 Units

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