Brentford vs Arsenal Prediction & Betting Tips (1 January)

Although Brentford has been playing in the Premier League for 4 years now, this team does not have the status of a leader in this English championship where for the moment it must be content to stay a good distance from the relegation zone. 11th in the rankings, the Bees have been going through a difficult period since their panache-filled success against Newcastle 4-2 on December 7. Because then, Bryan Mbeumo's partners seriously stalled by losing against Chelsea 2-1, Newcastle 3-1 in the Carabao Cup and Nottingham Forest 0-2 ten days ago. Last Friday, Bretford stopped their losing streak by picking up a point from Brighton 0-0. Arsenal, for their part, have been chasing the title of champion of England for more than 20 years now but that has only been a few seasons that the London club is once again a serious contender for the crown.

This year, Mikel Arteta's players have still fallen a little behind the ruthless Liverpool Reds who already have a nice lead of 4 points in the standings. If the Londoners had lost a few feathers by sharing the points with Fulham 1-1 and Everton 0-0, they returned to success against Crystal Palace before Christmas 1-5 and timidly confirmed on Friday at home against promoted Ipswich Town 1- 0. Enough to recover 2nd place to the detriment of Chelsea. 

The list of absentees is quite substantial on the Brentford side which still has to deal without the important midfielder Jensen, Dasilva in the same position, the defenders Hickey and Henry and the winger Nunes who are still on the flank on January 1st. Striker Thiago, also often injured, starting defenders Ajer, van den Berg and Pinnock and replacement full-back Roerslev should also miss the Gunners' reception this Wednesday. Fortunately for them, the Bees should be able to count on the services of their French-speaking attackers Wissa and Mbeumo, authors of 9 and 10 goals respectively this season, and who form one of the most prolific duos in this Premier League. Among the Londoners, the important White, the experienced Zinchenko and the substitute Tomiyasu will have to give up making the trip.

The nugget Saka (5 goals and 10 assists in the PL) and the rather disappointing Sterling will not be fit this Wednesday either. Among the forces present, however, we should find the German Havertz (7 goals, 2 assists), sole scorer Friday against Ipswich, as well as the Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus who could start at number 9.