Liverpool vs Brentford Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips – August 25, 2024

Match Overview

Liverpool welcome Brentford to Anfield for their first home game of the new Premier League season. Both teams secured wins on the opening weekend, setting the stage for an intriguing clash. Liverpool, under new management, are aiming to maintain their strong form, while Brentford will look to build on their positive start to the campaign.

Team Form & Key Stats

Liverpool

Liverpool, now led by Arne Slot, began the season with a solid 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town. The Reds are currently on an impressive unbeaten run, stretching back to last season, where they finished third in the Premier League. This unbeaten streak now stands at 11 matches, including their pre-season fixtures.

The Merseyside club has a settled squad, having made no new signings during the summer transfer window. Mo Salah, who was Liverpool’s top scorer last season with 18 goals, started the season in fine form, contributing a goal and an assist in the opening match. Diogo Jota, who has struggled with injuries in the past, also found the net, showing promising signs for the season ahead.

Liverpool’s dominance in this fixture is well-documented, with three consecutive victories over Brentford, including a 3-0 win at Anfield last season. Salah and Jota were both on the scoresheet in that game, underlining their importance in this fixture.

Brentford

Brentford kicked off their season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace. After a difficult pre-season where they failed to win any of their last four matches, this win was a much-needed confidence booster for the Bees. Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa were the standout performers, both getting on the scoresheet in Ivan Toney’s absence, who is heavily linked with a move away from the club.

The Bees had a challenging 2023/24 campaign, finishing 16th in the Premier League. Their defense was a major concern, as they conceded 65 goals, one of the highest in the league. This issue persisted in pre-season, where they conceded 11 goals in five games. Their leaky defense will be a significant concern as they head to Anfield, a venue where they have struggled in the past.

Since Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League in 2021, they have faced Liverpool six times, managing just one win. Liverpool have emerged victorious in four of those encounters, including the last three. The most recent meeting saw Liverpool secure a 4-1 win at the Brentford Community Stadium in February 2024.

Prediction & Betting Tips

Betting Tip: Liverpool to Win & Over 2.5 Goals

Given Liverpool’s strong form and Brentford’s defensive vulnerabilities, the Reds are expected to dominate this fixture. With Salah and Jota in good form, Liverpool should have enough firepower to break down Brentford’s defense and secure a comfortable victory. A bet on Liverpool to win with over 2.5 goals at Anfield seems like a solid option, particularly given the history of high-scoring encounters between these two sides.

Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Brentford

Team News

Liverpool

Arne Slot is expected to have a full squad at his disposal, with the exception of Joe Gomez, who missed the last match and remains a potential absentee due to transfer speculation. Ibrahim Konaté might return to the starting lineup, replacing Jarell Quansah, who was substituted at halftime in the previous game.

Brentford

Ivan Toney’s future remains uncertain, and he is likely to be absent once again. Brentford will also be without long-term absentees Josh Dasilva, Aaron Hickey, and Rico Henry. Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa will be expected to lead the attack in Toney’s absence.

Form Guide

Liverpool:

Liverpool have been in excellent form, winning four of their last five matches, including pre-season friendlies. Their most recent victory was a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town, where goals from Diogo Jota and Mo Salah secured the three points. This strong start to the season follows a successful pre-season, where they recorded wins over Arsenal (2-1) and Manchester United (3-0), among others.

Brentford:

Brentford’s form has been more mixed, with one win, one loss, and three draws in their last five games. They managed to overcome a difficult pre-season with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on the opening weekend. Their pre-season results included a 4-4 draw with Wolfsburg and a 3-1 defeat to Estrela Amadora, highlighting their defensive frailties.

With the stage set for an exciting clash, all eyes will be on Anfield as Liverpool look to continue their strong start to the season against a Brentford side eager to upset the odds.