Brentford vs Arsenal Preview: Team News & Prediction

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We have a London derby to kick off the New Year in the Premier League as Brentford, excellent at home, welcome faltering title challengers Arsenal to the Gtech Community Stadium. 

Kick-off date/time: Wednesday 1st January, 2025: UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am

How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – USA Network

How to watch online: UK – TNT Sports / US – Universo

Brentford Preview: Bees must buzz again

Thomas Frank had been unbeaten at home throughout this season until the Bees faced Nottingham Forest last weekend and suffered a 2-0 defeat to compound a generally average run of form that has them sitting in the bottom-half of the Premier League.

That loss was followed up by a goalless draw with similarly out of form Brighton and Hove Albion at the AMEX Stadium the other day. Those results mean that Brentford are now winless in their last four matches across all competitions.

Arsenal Preview: Gunning for more

Mikel Arteta’s more reactive and controlled style of football can often be quite frustrating for the neutral to watch and that was the case the other day as Arsenal struggled to breakdown Ipswich Town before eventually running out as 1-0 winners with a Kai Havertz strike.

They are the closest challengers to league leaders Liverpool ahead of the 19th match day of the 2024/25 campaign, albeit the Reds have a six-point lead and a game-in-hand. Arsenal are now unbeaten in their last 11 since the beginning of November.

Brentford Team News: Flekken and Mee doubts

First-choice goalkeeper Mark Flekken limped off against Brighton, as did defender Ben Mee, and both will need assessing ahead of New Year’s Day. Both Sepp van den Berg and Mathias Jensen missed the game but were nearing a return to full fitness ahead of that one.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Valdimarsson; Roerslev, Collins, Kim, Lewis-Potter; Norgaard, Janelt; Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Schade; Wissa

Unavailable: Ajer (Injured), Pinnock (Injured), Hickey (Injured), Henry (Injured), Dasilva (Injured), Nunes (Injured), Thiago (Injured)

Questionable: Flekken (Injured), Mee (Injured), Van den Berg (Injured), Jensen (Injured)

Arsenal Team News: The Saka issue

Bukayo Saka missed the clash with Ipswich Town the other day due to an injury that requires surgery and he is expected to be our for ‘probably more than two months’ but his England international teammate Raheem Sterling is expected to be back sooner than initially presumed.

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Martinelli, Jesus, Trossard

Unavailable: White (Injured), Tomiyasu (Injured), Saka (Injured), Sterling (Injured)

Questionable: 

Brentford vs Arsenal Prediction

Brentford have been entertaining to watch this season with their 18 matches consisting of 64 goals. However, they have a plethora of injuries and defensive issues in particular with performances generally dipping. They now face an Arsenal side that have been predictable with their reliance on Bukayo Saka but now have to find a different way and a calmer, more controlled Brentford side may well suit them in a game that could be defined by fine margins.

Brentford vs Arsenal Tip: Arsenal to win & under 3.5 goals