Brentford

Chris Sutton is making predictions for every Premier League game this season against a variety of guests.

For the midweek matches on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, he takes on UB40 drummer and Birmingham City fan Jimmy Brown.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

This should be a decent game. Brighton did well against Liverpool on Sunday but, if anything, they scored too early at Anfield, and I never really thought they would hang on.

Brentford were excellent against Manchester United and it seems strange they are on such a poor run, with only one win from their past 10 games.

I am going to back the Bees to put that right here and pull away from the relegation zone, because they are definitely too good to go down.

Ivan Toney was very good against United and unlucky not to score, and the goals are going to start flowing for him again soon.

Brown's prediction: 2-1

I like watching Brighton but I think Brentford will win.

Read the rest of their predictions here

Here are the key facts and figures before Wednesday's Premier League fixture between Brentford and Brighton.

• Brentford have lost 10 of their 14 midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) Premier League games (W2 D2), including all four so far this season. At home, they’ve taken just one point from 12 available in such games (D1 L3).

• Brighton have lost just one of their past seven evening kick-offs (7pm or later) in the Premier League (W2 D4). However, it was in their last such game against Luton (0-4), with the Seagulls failing to score in all three of their evening games so far in 2024 (also 0-0 draws with West Ham and Wolves).

• Brentford are winless in their past four Premier League home games (D2 L2), last having a longer run at the Gtech Community Stadium between September and November 2021 (5).

• Brighton are winless in all six of their Premier League away games against London sides this season (D2 L4), failing to score in half of those visits to the capital.

• Brighton’s Pascal Groß has provided 11 Premier League assists in games played in London – only Ryan Giggs (29), Steven Gerrard (14) and Emile Heskey (12) have provided more in the capital among players to have never played for a London side in the competition.

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

Thirty-one shots, four against the woodwork, chance after chance after chance and maximum effort from all 15 players who got on the pitch – what a breathless night at the Gtech on Saturday.

Going into what turned into a very lengthy stoppage time, it felt like Brentford had thrown away two points against Manchester United by failing to take our chances. Only getting four of the 31 attempts on target told its own story.

But after the bitter blow of conceding so late, to show the character to come back and earn a draw felt like a point gained, rather than two dropped, in the end.

That is the "mentality" – a favourite word of Thomas Frank post-match – which will be needed to secure a fourth Premier League season for the Bees.

And if we can follow up this performance with an equally good one against Brighton on Wednesday - and turn it into a win - we won't be too far away from achieving that.

The fans played our part too. The atmosphere at night games at the Gtech is always special and we also need to be on top form again against the Seagulls to push the team over the line.

It was hard to pick a player of the match against United, so well did everyone play, and it seemed the two-week international break had been well used by Frank and his coaching staff working with the players who were not with their countries.

Eight more cup finals to go to earn safety – it seems Brentford are up for the task.

Ian Westbrook can be found at Beesotted podcast, external

We asked for your thoughts on Saturday's Premier League game between Brentford and Manchester United.

Here are some of your responses:

Brentford fans

Bill: Watching from the stands it was incredible how we did not win. Then to come back from a goal that was totally against the run of the game and equalise - amazing character in the team. Keep that character and we stay up.

Graham: What a frustrating game! I was there and luck was just against us. United looked like the underdog team, waiting for a break to score in a counter-attack, which they eventually did. Toney was magnificent and Wissa was great. But when Mbeumo came on, the attacking duo felt deadly. The equaliser was so deserved and a huge relief.

Alan: Brentford were magnificent. They outplayed Manchester United in all departments and let's hope this level is maintained to secure our status. Toney secured his ticket on the plane with what was a truly world class display.

Man Utd fans

Yinka: Another awful United display, exemplified by the failure to defend an undeserved goal for even longer than three minutesree of stoppage time. Even the draw was a disservice to Brentford. As usual, the team remains without an identity and worse, ETH comments reek of weakness and denial, week after week. He appears out of his depth and surely has to go.

Nigel: United were unbelievably poor, with no game plan and no energy. Varane and Maguire kept us in it. Thomas Frank is clearly a better coach than Ten Hag and Brentford were desperately unlucky not to win.

Martin: I've been watching Man Utd since the 1960s and so have seen them thrashed as well as lose after playing well. Until this game I have never seen them play with so little drive, intent, creativity, passion, pride or professionalism. A very, very sad day.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Brentford manager Mark Warburton spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily after Saturday's draw with Manchester United: "They were outstanding. There were periods at the start of both halves where Manchester United had more possession, but in general they absorbed it and weathered the storm.

"Brentford showed their quality all over the park with their desire, intensity and timing. They were excellent for long periods. They should have taken all three points comfortably."

On injuries, Warburton added: "They are one of many teams to suffer injuries, but the slightly smaller clubs haven't got the depth in their squad. To lose players like Toney, Mbeumo, Pinnock, Henry and Mee, Brentford cannot afford to lose that quality for long periods of time.

"To come through that and show how good they can be against a very lacklustre opposition, they were superb in all areas of the pitch. Throughout the squad they have quality and the fans should be very impressed by what they saw."

Listen to Saturday's full Premier League breakdown here

Alex Scott introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's eight Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to Saturday's BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra match commentary in full:

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