Manchester United opened their 2022/23 Premier League season with a shocking performance against Brighton and Hove Albion which resulted in a 2-1 loss. They will be looking to bounce back from this when they travel to Brentford on 13th August 2022, and with rumours abound surrounding the Red Devils’ squad, the match at the Brentford Community Stadium may provide some stability on the pitch, if not off it. We at Last Word on Football have given some predictions and best odds for Brentford vs Manchester United on August 13th.
Brentford vs Manchester United Predictions and Best Odds
📌 Midweek work at Carrington. #MUFC || #BREMUN pic.twitter.com/sDR6SfmCVQ
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 11, 2022
Brentford Current Run of Form
Brentford’s first match of the season was a relatively strong performance against Leicester City. After going two goals down, the “Bus Stop in Hounslow” picked up momentum to pull back goals from Ivan Toney and Josh Dasilva, finding themselves with a point at the end of a hard-fought match.
This came after a relatively strong pre-season, in which wins over Real Betis and Brighton outshone a poor performance in a 4-0 loss against Wolfsburg. In spite of a draw last weekend, the Bees have a good amount of momentum.
Manchester United Current Run of Form
As the Red Devils struggle for stability in the boardroom, there is a similar lack of balance on the pitch.
Across pre-season and the first match of a Premier League campaign, Manchester United’s last four games have seen them draw twice and lose twice, with none more embarrassing than their opening-day defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford.
Such a run of form is worrying for a club pushing for the Champions League this season, so Erik ten Hag’s players will look to overcome their current predicament.
Recent Head to Head
In their entire history, Brentford and Manchester United have only ever faced each other twice. Both of these matches were last season, and both ended in a victory for the Salford side.
The Bees conceded six goals across the two matches and only scored a single time in the home fixture in May. It isn’t the biggest of sample sizes, but looking at face value, history is not on Brentford’s side for the clash.
Brentford vs Manchester United Prediction
One of the most significant features of the way that Brentford play is the focus on wing-backs, which are key to a potential victory against the Red Devils. If Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey bomb up the pitch and keep the pressure on in the same way that Brighton’s wide players did in the season opener, Manchester United could be in some real trouble.
Anthony Martial’s injury introduces another issue to Ten Hag’s tactics. Cristiano Ronaldo seems intent on leaving Old Trafford, and without a single recognised fit centre-forward that actually wants to be at the club, it could be another dire week for United.
Ultimately, the Bees will be happy without the ball, pressing, among others, Fred, Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot back once more and preventing Ten Hag’s players from advancing the ball into dangerous positions. Whilst Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes bring an extra creative threat for Brentford to deal with, this match has the potential to be a narrow smash and grab win that keeps the three points at the Brentford Community Stadium.
Current Odds: Brentford vs Manchester United
Manchester United are favourites to win at Evens, with the least likely outcome being a Brentford victory coming in at 3/1. Meanwhile, punters can expect odds of 13/5 for a draw.
