Game Week 16 Predictions: City to hammer Brentford at the Etihad

Manchester City can go top again albeit temporarily with a win over the Bees at the Etihad on Saturday. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Manchester City vs Brentford

Etihad

1:30pm

Manchester City will like to go into the break with a win and hopefully on top of the league but they have to do their bit first and then hope Arsenal doesn’t win later in the day.

The Citizens can welcome back Joao Cancelo who served his one match ban following a red card last weekend in midweek cup win over Chelsea and we also expect Erling Haaland to get the starting role ahead of Julian Alvarez.

Brentford can also have the full complement of their star striker Iban Toney who was surprisingly left out of England’s World Cup squad as announced on Thursday. The striker served a one match ban in the Bees’ 1-1 draw last weekend against Wolves.

Brentford has struggled against the big boys this season but would be brave when they visit the Etihad to negotiate the champions; although Thomas Frank’s side have been poor away from home, can something change on Saturday?

City hasn’t hit top gear yet and they would hope their players return to the fold from the World Cup in one piece; there’s a shock place for Kalvin Phillips on the plane to Qatar despite playing only 56mins of active football this season so far, Pep Guardiola would hope he doesn’t aggravate his injury while on national team duty.

How will they line up? The Bees will never sit back. Their approach is always the same regardless of who they’re playing and City will be stretched at some points but does an upset look likely? If the fixture were to be at the Brentford community stadium, there might be a chance but the Bees don’t travel well.

City could have a Foden and Grealish attack with both men in the team list to Qatar for England but can they inspire City to yet another big win that would put pressure on Arsenal ahead of their fixture late on against Wolves?

Verdict: Manchester City to win.