Brentford, Sunderland go head-to-head in midtable clash.
Brentford vs. Sunderland begins at 19:30 [GMT] on Wednesday, January 7, at the Gtech Community Stadium.
This is only the second time the two sides have met in a league fixture in the 21st century, following an entertaining 3-3 draw in the Championship back in October 2017. Their first meeting of the current campaign went Sunderland’s way, with the Black Cats claiming a 2-1 win at the Stadium of Light in August, and they now return to west London seeking a first league double over Brentford since the 1987-88 season, when both clubs were competing in the third tier. Brentford’s home record against promoted clubs has been one of the strongest in the Premier League era. The Bees have collected 34 points from a possible 39 in such fixtures, winning 11, drawing one, and losing just one. The only sides to take points from them in these circumstances were Norwich City in November 2021 and Leeds United in a 1-1 draw last month. That consistency has underpinned Brentford’s solid standing at home this season, with six wins from their first 10 league matches at the Gtech under new manager Keith Andrews. It marks the most home wins by a Brentford manager in their first 10 league games since Mark Warburton won nine during the 2013-14 League One campaign. However, the timing of this fixture adds an intriguing layer. Brentford have historically struggled in midweek Premier League matches, winning just three of 23 played on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Notably, all three of those victories came away from home, leaving the Bees winless in nine midweek league games at the Gtech Community Stadium, with five draws and four defeats. They will be keen to end that jinx on Wednesday when they appear with a 4—3—3 formation. Lewis Potter, Schade, and Igor Thiago could form the attacking trio.
Newly promoted Sunderland are in 8th place just below the Bees, tied on 30 points ahead of this midtable clash. Meanwhile, Sunderland’s relationship with evening kick-offs has been equally challenging. The Black Cats are winless in their last nine Premier League matches played at 7pm or later, drawing four and losing five. Even more striking is their attacking return in those games, having failed to score in seven of the nine since a 3-0 victory over Everton in May 2016. Despite this, Sunderland arrives on the back of a run of four consecutive Premier League draws and could become the first side to draw five straight matches in the competition since Fulham between December 2020 and January 2021. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Isidor in attack is expected against Brentford.