Brentford vs Tottenham Hotspur: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head

The Bees will looking to get their first victory against the North London club since March 1948.

On Monday night, English Premier League is back again for Boxing Day action as we kick off with Brentford facing Tottenham Hotspurs.

Brentford enters this encounter without several key players, but they will look to capitalize on their heroic 2-1 victory over Manchester City when they were in action in Premier League last time before the focus was shifted to FIFA World Cup 2022. While for Spurs most of their squad have returned from the World Cup. Spurs looked a bit twitchy as they lost three of their last four games but continue to occupy the all-important Champions League spot as they sit 4th in the table.

Brentford has not actually beaten Tottenham since March 1948. Although the two teams have only ever met twice in the Premier League. With the points being shared in a goalless draw in their last meeting at the Brentford Community Stadium back in April.

Kick-off: 18:00 pm (IST), 12:30 pm: (GMT)

Brentford form (all competition): L-D-D-L-W-D

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competition): W-L-L-W-W-D

Player to watch

Brentford

Ivan Toney

After an outstanding season with Brentford, it was unfortunate that Toney was unable to join England’s World Cup roster. Despite being hit with a series of charges by the Football Association over alleged breaches of their betting rules, Toney is a favourite to start this match. He has scored 10 times and has 2 assists in his name out of 14 appearances for Brentford in this season in the Premier League. A menace for the defenders in front of the goal, he will be the player to look out for.

Tottenham Hotspur

Harry Kane

The World Cup penalty miss might still haunt him in his dreams but he still happens to be the most important player for Conte. He has netted 12 times and has an assist out of 15 appearances for Spurs. With the ability to drop down between the lines and also be a playmaker, he is the man that will keep Thomas Frank and his side under some pressure.

Match facts

• The Bees announced on Saturday that Frank had signed a new five-year contract until June 2022. It is certainly an exciting time to be associated with the football club, as they look to be firmly heading in the right direction.
• Brentford is winless in their past 13 meetings with Tottenham in all competitions. Since a 2-0 home win in the second tier in March 1948 (D4, L9)
• Tottenham has kept a clean sheet in their last 5 matches against Brentford in all competitions.

Injury and team news

Brentford boss Frank has revealed that Pontus Jansson is now available for selection after being missing since the start of October due to a hamstring problem. Aaron Hickey, Thomas Strakosha and Kristoffer Ajer remain on the sidelines despite making progress in their injury recoveries. Frank could select the same XI that took to the field for the first whistle against Man City last time out, with Toney set to feature in this important fixture.

Fraser Forster will be in the goal for Spurs as Hugo Lloris will feature on the bench who was involved in a feisty World Cup final for France. The likes of Richarlison and Rodrigo Bentancur have not returned yet from their camps and will be a miss for this match. World Cup winner Cristian Romero will also be unavailable for this match as we will possibly see a backline of Eric Dier and Lenglet. Ivan Perisic has returned to training and is a viable option for Conte who can start.

Head-to-Head stats

Matches: 44

Brentford: 6

Draws: 14

Tottenham Hotspur: 24

Predicted lineup

Brentford predicted lineup (3-5-2):

Raya; Jorgensen, Pinnock, Mee; Rasmussen, Onyeka, Janelt, Jensen, Henry; Mbeumo, Toney.

Tottenham Hotspur predicted lineup (3-4-3):

Forster; Dier, Lenglet, Davies; Doherty, Hojbjerg, Bissouma, Perisic; Kulusevski, Kane, Son.

Prediction

This will be a close encounter between two Premier League sides who are well-balanced and under good guidance. Despite the fact that Tottenham Hotspur is without half of their usual starters, Brentford is missing only a few individuals and can field a solid eleven to get a victory and upset the odds once again. Liverpool appears to be a committed side that should win by a close margin.

Prediction:  Brentford 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur.