Brentford vs Southampton Prediction & Betting Tips (31 August)

Returning to the elite in 2021, Brentford managed to secure their retention in the previous three years. Only 16th in the Premier League last year, the Bees did not really flirt with relegation. Indeed, they finished with a comfortable 13-point lead in the red zone. Brentford once again aims to maintain its position this season. Bryan Mbeumo's teammates also made a good start to the championship by winning against Crystal Palace at home 2-1. Last weekend, they were not unworthy but fell in the den of Liverpool 2-0. This week, Brentford did not miss their start in the League Cup by winning at Colchester 0-1. Relegated from the Premier League in 2023, Southampton did not last forever at the lower level.

Indeed, the Saints achieved promotion to the elite last year. 4th in the Championship, they then dominated West Bromwich and Leeds in the accession play-offs. The promoted is obviously expected in the fight not to go down in this 2024/2025 financial year. Despite strong opposition, Russell Martin's men lost their first two championship matches. Beaten at Newcastle to start 1-0, they then lost at home to Nottingham Forest last weekend 0-1. This week, Southampton won after a crazy match in Cardiff and therefore booked their ticket for the next round of the League Cup 3-5.

Brentford have definitely lost goalkeeper Raya who was already with Arsenal last year. In addition, replacements Strakosha (AEK), Baptiste (Luton Town) and Ghoddos (without a club) were not selected while striker Maupay returned to Everton at the end of his loan before moving to Marseille. In the opposite direction, the club made great financial efforts to secure the services of defender van den Berg (Liverpool), attacking midfielder Fabio Carvalho (Liverpool), young winger Gustavo Nunes (Gremio) and striker Igor Thiago (Bruges). The latter is unavailable for this meeting, injured.

This is also the case for long-term absentees Henry, Hickey (defenders) and Dasilva (midfielder). Present with the Three Lions during Euro 2024, striker Toney (69 goals and 21 assists in 131 games with Brentford) wants to leave and has not yet played this season. He is still out of the group this weekend unlike Mbeumo (1 goal in PL) and Wissa (1 goal and 1 assist in PL).