Brentford vs West Ham Preview
- Draw or Brentford win
- Bowen to score
Brentford welcome West Ham United to the Brentford Community Stadium as both sides aim to climb out of their early-season struggles in the Premier League.
With both clubs hoping to improve their standings, this London derby provides a crucial opportunity to turn their fortunes around.
Brentford: Aiming to Shore Up the Defence
Brentford’s defensive problems have persisted into this season, as their 3-1 loss to Tottenham last weekend marked their sixth competitive game without a clean sheet. This result has dropped them into the bottom half of the Premier League table.
However, Brentford will hope that a return to their home ground, where they’ve picked up all six of their Premier League points against lower-ranked opposition, can help them secure a much-needed win against another struggling London club.
Despite the loss to Spurs, Brentford manager Thomas Frank remained optimistic, citing the absence of “five potential starters” as a key reason for the performance gap.
For Brentford to better their finish from last season, they will need to improve their home record against teams outside the relegation zone, as they managed just two wins in 16 such matches last season (D7, L7).
A victory here would also mean replicating their 3-2 win over West Ham last November, which was crucial in halting a winless run.
West Ham United: Seeking Consistency Under Julen Lopetegui
West Ham’s current form mirrors their challenging start to the 2022/23 season, having gone three Premier League matches without a victory (D1, L2).
Their recent 3-1 loss to Chelsea marked their third consecutive league defeat at home, and the Hammers are already showing signs of a lack of confidence similar to last season when they finished just six points above the relegation zone.
There is growing discontent among the West Ham supporters regarding the tactical changes made by new manager Julen Lopetegui. Frustration reached a boiling point when Crysencio Summerville’s substitution against Chelsea was met with boos from the crowd.
However, the Hammers can take solace in the fact that their three league defeats have come against sides in the top five, while they have managed to pick up points against lower-ranked teams such as Fulham and Crystal Palace.
This upcoming fixture against Brentford, followed by a match against Ipswich, could provide Lopetegui the opportunity to build some consistency before facing tougher challenges later in the month against Tottenham and Manchester United.
Key Players to Watch
Bryan Mbuemo (Brentford)
The forward has been a crucial early threat for Brentford, already opening the scoring in three separate Premier League games this season. Mbuemo’s ability to break the deadlock early in matches could be key to Brentford’s hopes of securing a win and turning around their defensive frailties.
Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United)
Brentford is Jarrod Bowen’s favourite opponent, having netted seven goals against them in 11 appearances.
He was particularly prolific in their meetings last season, scoring four times across both head-to-head matches. Bowen’s experience and goal-scoring ability could be the spark West Ham needs to break out of their current slump.
The Battle for Points: A Home Fortress vs Rebuilding Hammers
Brentford’s hopes will rest on their home form and their ability to capitalise on West Ham’s shaky defence, as they look to put an end to their clean-sheet drought.
With Bryan Mbuemo inform and the confidence of being at home, Brentford will aim to seize the initiative early and put the Hammers on the back foot.
For West Ham, this match serves as an opportunity to regain momentum against a team they historically fare well against.
Lopetegui’s side will need to strike a balance between their tactical overhaul and defensive solidity, with Bowen leading the attacking charge to find consistency and confidence moving forward.
Final Thoughts
This clash between Brentford and West Ham United could prove to be a turning point for either side as they look to steer their season in the right direction.
Brentford’s defensive vulnerabilities and West Ham’s managerial transition make for an unpredictable and potentially high-scoring encounter. Both teams will be desperate for three points to improve their league standing and build momentum before tougher fixtures arrive.
Will Brentford make the most of their home advantage and find defensive stability, or can West Ham reverse their fortunes and secure a valuable away win?
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