Crystal Palace v Brentford: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:04 GMT 31 October
Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist
Crystal Palace host Brentford on Saturday afternoon after both clubs reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup in resounding fashion earlier this week.
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes ahead of their meeting at Selhurst Park.
Battle of the long throw
Crystal Palace and Brentford meet in the Premier League following League Cup wins, although it is the Bees who are in better form in the Premier League.
Brentford, who defeated Grimsby Town 5-0 in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, have won three of their last four Premier League matches, including a 3-2 triumph over Liverpool last weekend.
Victory against the reigning champions was the latest example of Brentford using defender Michael Kayode's battery of long-throws effectively, with one leading to Dango Ouattara's opening goal.
It is one of eight occasions that Brentford have scored a Premier League goal from a throw-in since the start of last season – at least five more than any other side.

Brentford have been the most prolific Premier League team at scoring from throw-ins
Set-piece expertise
Focusing on such a tactic is no surprise given the involvement of Keith Andrews, first as set-piece coach and then as head coach following the departure of Tottenham-bound Thomas Frank ahead of this season.
After losing at Gtech Community Stadium last weekend, Liverpool manager Arne Slot said: "They're a very good team in winning duels and second balls and you have to give them credit for that.
"It's also difficult to win a game of football if the set-piece balance is in their favour."
And after Manchester City edged a 1-0 win at Gtech Community Stadium at the start of October, match-winner Erling Haaland said: "It was a tough game and reminded me of Stoke City with Rory Delap 15 years ago."
A meeting of similar styles
Brentford have put 47 long throws into the box, at least nine more than any other side, although second on that list is Crystal Palace.
The Eagles host Brentford after beating Liverpool for a third time this season (including on penalties in the Community Shield) to end a four-game winless run in all competitions.
Palace have lost on two of their last three league outings – the same number of defeats as in their previous 19 games combined – but their success in the Premier League this season has ben built on similar tactics to Saturday's visitors.
Only the Eagles (18) have generated more shots from throw-ins than Brentford (17) this season, while Palace and Brentford rank in the Premier League's top three teams for direct speed – meaning attacks that progress the most quickly in terms of metres gained during open play.

Crystal Palace and Brentford have been effective at attacking with speed this season
If similar styles should make for an intriguing contest this weekend, Brentford have got the better of the Eagles in the Premier League, achieving the league double in this fixture last season and losing only once in their eight meetings.





























