Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Brentfordvs.Sheff Utd

sportsmole.co.uk, 11 April 2024, 22:00
Two struggling teams battling at the wrong end of the Premier League table square off at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday as Brentford play host to basement club Sheffield United.

The Bees will be seeking revenge after they were beaten 1-0 by the Blades in the reverse fixture at Bramall Lane four months ago courtesy of a superb first-half strike from James McAtee.

Match preview

Brentford head into Saturday's contest having failed to win any of their last nine Premier League games, although they have picked up a solitary point in each of their last three fixtures, including last weekend's 3-3 draw at Aston Villa.

The Villains boasted a two-goal lead heading into the final half-hour, but Mathias Jorgensen, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa were all on target for the Bees as they scored three goals in the space of just nine minutes to quickly turn the game on its head, before Ollie Watkins had the last laugh against his former club, netting his second of the match in the closing stages to rescue a point for the hosts.

Thomas Frank praised his players for their "mentality" to claim a point after going two goals down, but having not won since February 10, Brentford remain in danger of slipping into the relegation zone as they sit 15th in the table and only four points above the bottom three.

Not since September 2017 as a Championship club have the Bees endured a 10-game winless league run, and success is not a given on Saturday as they have failed to come out on top in any of their last six league meetings with Sheffield United.

With each of their next three fixtures against teams below them in the table, Brentford will be targeting an upturn in form as they endeavour to move clear of the drop zone, but they must find a way to hold onto leads as they have already dropped a division-high 30 points so far this season.

Following a spirited display in a 3-1 defeat at title hopefuls Liverpool, Sheffield United claimed a valuable point in a 2-2 draw at home to Chelsea last weekend.

Jayden Bogle scored his first goal since August last year in between strikes from Blues duo Thiago Silva and Noni Madueke, before Oli McBurnie came to the rescue for the Blades as he netted a dramatic 93rd-minute equaliser - his sixth home goal of the season - to force both sides to share the spoils at Bramall Lane.

Chris Wilder has praised his players' attitude in recent matches and believes a similar type of performance to that against Chelsea will be needed to get a positive result against Brentford, who the Blades boss has been "incredibly impressed" by under the tutelage of Frank.

Sheffield United remain at the foot of the Premier League table and are starring down the barrel at an immediate demotion back to the Championship as they sit nine points adrift of safety, although they do have a game in hand on four of the five teams above them, including Saturday's opponents Brentford.

The Blades travel to West London having accumulated the fewest away points (six) in the Premier League this season, but Wilder and co can be optimistic of success against an out-of-sorts Brentford side whom they have beaten in each of their last three meetings by an aggregate score of 6-3.

Brentford Premier League form:

D

L

L

D

D

D

Sheffield United Premier League form:

L

L

D

D

L

D

Team News

Brentford's Josh Dasilva, Rico Henry (both knee), Ben Mee (ankle) and Aaron Hickey (thigh) all remain sidelined with injuries, while Christian Norgaard (back), Ethan Pinnock (ankle) and Kevin Schade (groin) will all be assessed ahead of kickoff.

Sergio Reguilon will hope to retain his spot a left wing-back ahead of Keane Lewis-Potter, while Frank Onyeka is set to battle with Mikkel Damsgaard for a start in centre-midfield.

After failing to score in seven successive starts, Ivan Toney was dropped to the bench last weekend, but the in-demand striker is expected to return to the first XI and could link up with either or both of Mbeumo and Wissa in attack.

As for Sheffield United, Chris Basham, John Egan, Max Lowe (all ankle), Rhys Norrington-Davies, Rhian Brewster, Tom Davies (all hamstring), George Baldock (calf) and Daniel Jebbison (illness) all remain in the treatment room.

Jack Robinson limped off with an ankle injury in the draw with Chelsea and Wilder has said that he will give the defender "every chance to be involved" on Saturday.

Should Robinson fail a late fitness check, Auston Trusty could slot into the left side of a back three, with Ben Osborn or Yasser Larouci potentially recalled at left wing-back.

Brentford possible starting lineup:

Flekken; Zanka, Collins, Ajer; Roerslev, Onyeka, Jensen, Janelt, Reguilon; Mbeumo, Toney

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:

Grbic; Holgate, Ahmedhodzic, Trusty; Bogle, Souza, Norwood, Hamer, Osborn; Brereton Diaz, McBurnie

We say: Brentford 2-1 Sheffield United

Previews by email
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Liverpool0 - 3Atalanta
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has demanded a reaction from his side after their "really bad" performance against Atalanta BC in the Europa League this evening.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
PSVvs.Vitesse
PSV Eindhoven will be looking to move one step closer to Eredivisie glory when they welcome Vitesse to the Philips Stadion on Saturday afternoon.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Nott'm Forestvs.Wolves
Nuno Espirito Santo will renew acquaintances with former club Wolverhampton Wanderers when his Nottingham Forest outfit play host for a Premier League contest at the City Ground on Saturday afternoon.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Fleetwoodvs.Northampton
Aiming to keep alive any faint hopes of escaping the bottom four in the League One table, Fleetwood Town will welcome Northampton Town to Highbury on Saturday.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Boltonvs.Portsmouth
Portsmouth will attempt to secure promotion to the Championship when they face Bolton Wanderers in Saturday's clash at Toughsheet Community Stadium.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Boltonvs.Portsmouth
Portsmouth will attempt to secure promotion to the Championship when they face Bolton Wanderers in Saturday's clash at Toughsheet Community Stadium.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Derbyvs.Leyton Orient
After drawing consecutive games, promotion-chasing Derby County will look to return to winning ways when they play host to Leyton Orient on Saturday.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Derbyvs.Leyton Orient
After drawing consecutive games, promotion-chasing Derby County will look to return to winning ways when they play host to Leyton Orient on Saturday.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Leedsvs.Blackburn
Aiming to move back into the top two in the Championship table with the run-in rapidly heating up, Leeds United will welcome Blackburn Rovers to Elland Road on Saturday for a key contest at both ends of the division.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Carlislevs.Blackpool
Playoff-chasing Blackpool will attempt to claim a third consecutive victory when they face Carlisle United at Brunton Park on Saturday.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Carlislevs.Blackpool
Playoff-chasing Blackpool will attempt to claim a third consecutive victory when they face Carlisle United at Brunton Park on Saturday.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Manchester United issue Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans injury update
Manchester United have revealed that Raphael Varane will be on the sidelines "for the next few weeks" due to the muscular problem that he suffered against Chelsea last week.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Celticvs.St Mirren
Celtic's quest to defend their Scottish Premiership title continues on Saturday when they host fifth-placed St Mirren in the final match until the division splits.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Aston Villa2 - 1Lille
Aston Villa have recorded a 2-1 win over Lille in the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final tie on Thursday night.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Aston Villa2 - 1Lille
Aston Villa have recorded a 2-1 win over Lille in the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final tie on Thursday night.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
AC Milan0 - 1Roma
Roma recorded a 1-0 win over AC Milan in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday night, with Gianluca Mancini netting the only goal of the contest.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Benfica2 - 1Marseille
Benfica have looked excellent since entering the Europa League and will take a 2-1 lead to Stade Velodrome next week thanks to goals by Rafa Silva and Angel Di Maria in either half before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pulled one back for Marseille in the final quarter of the match.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Sheff Wedsvs.Stoke
A pivotal contest in the fight at the bottom end of the Championship table will take place at Hillsborough on Saturday, as Sheffield Wednesday welcome Stoke City.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
B. Leverkusen2 - 0West Ham
West Ham United's hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League have taken a massive blow, with the Hammers losing 2-0 at Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Liverpool0 - 3Atalanta
Atalanta recorded a stunning 3-0 win over tournament favourites Liverpool in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final at Anfield on Thursday night.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Rennesvs.Toulouse
Two places separate Rennes and Toulouse in the Ligue 1 table heading into Saturday's gameweek 29 fixture at Roazhon Park.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Heartsvs.Livingston
Two teams at opposite ends of the Scottish Premiership meet on Saturday as third-placed Hearts play host to Livingston, who are currently bottom of the division.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Motherwellvs.Hibernian
Motherwell will host Hibernian on Saturday in what could be a crucial Scottish Premiership match in terms of which teams end up in the top half when the league table splits.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
St Johnstonevs.Kilmarnock
Two teams with completely contrasting goals in the Scottish Premiership will meet on Saturday as St Johnstone hosts Kilmarnock.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Aberdeenvs.Dundee
Dundee will attempt to secure their place in the top half of the Scottish Premiership on Saturday ahead of the division splitting when they make the trip to face Aberdeen.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Guimaraesvs.Farense
Seeking to make it six Primeira Liga wins on the bounce, Europe-chasing Vitoria de Guimaraes play host to SC Farense at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques on Saturday.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Bristol Cityvs.Huddersfield
Desperate to improve their standing in the fight at the bottom end of the Championship table, Huddersfield Town will travel to Ashton Gate to take on Bristol City on Saturday.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Portovs.Famalicao
Porto will be looking to make it 10 consecutive victories against Famalicao when the two sides go head to head at the Estadio do Dragao in round 29 of the Primeira Liga on Saturday.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Estorilvs.Braga
Aiming to move into third place in the Primeira Liga standings, Braga journey to the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota to take on Estoril Praia on Saturday.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Hull Cityvs.QPR
Hull City will bid to keep any faint hopes of cracking the playoff places in the Championship table alive on Saturday, when they entertain Queens Park Rangers.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Liverpool 'scouting midfielder at rival club of Sporting Lisbon's Ruben Amorim'
Liverpool have reportedly sent scouts to watch Porto midfielder Alan Varela.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
West Bromvs.Sunderland
Looking to put one foot in the playoffs, West Bromwich Albion will welcome midtable dwellers Sunderland to The Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon in the Championship.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Mainzvs.Hoffenheim
Mainz 05 will continue their quest to stave off relegation from the Bundesliga when they take on TSG Hoffenheim at the Mewa Arena on Saturday afternoon.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
RB Leipzigvs.Wolfsburg
RB Leipzig will look to maintain their place in the top four of the Bundesliga standings when they take on a stuttering Wolfsburg at Red Bull Arena on Saturday afternoon.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Leccevs.Empoli
Lecce's wretched run is seeing them sink into a bottom three spot in Serie A, and Empoli can force the struggling side's slide in Saturday's round 32 clash at Stadio Via del Mare.
11 April 2024
sportsmole.co.uk
Bayernvs.FC Koln
Bayern Munich could see their historic 11-year hold on the Bundesliga title come to an end when they take on relegation candidates FC Koln on Saturday afternoon.
Show more

Top News

12 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Despite the financial obstacles, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has insisted that he will try to work out a way of bringing Marcus Rashford to AC Milan this season. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly suffered a blow in their pursuit of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is said to be in advanced negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk AC Milan are reported to be talks to sign Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker after Pep Guardiola announced the defender wants to leave the club this month 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Crystal Palace have reportedly reached an agreement to sign Millwall attacker Romain Esse. 11 January 2025 talksport.com Kyle Walker is the perfect Trent Alexander-Arnold replacement - Liverpool should make a move for the Manchester City star this month. 11 January 2025 talksport.com Graham Potter has been urged to sign a striker as Darren Bent outlined what he must do to transform West Ham's fortunes. 11 January 2025 talksport.com Pep Guardiola has sensationally told talkSPORT that Kyle Walker has asked to leave Manchester City. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that defender Kyle Walker has asked to leave the club. 11 January 2025 talksport.com Jack Grealish has finally ended his 13-month long wait for a first Manchester City goal in the club's 8-0 mauling over Salford City. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk James McAtee scored a hat-trick and Jeremy Doku produced a man-of-the-match display as Manchester City obliterated Salford City 8-0 in the third round of the FA Cup. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Villarreal will be bidding to make it successive victories in La Liga when they head to Real Sociedad on Monday evening, and this contest will represent the Yellow Submarine's first match of 2025. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid and Barcelona will lock horns in the final of the 2025 Spanish Super Cup on Sunday night. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Marcus Rashford was allegedly not with the Manchester United squad that headed down to London on Saturday afternoon for Sunday's FA Cup third-round contest with Arsenal. 11 January 2025 talksport.com Antony has reportedly filed an arbitration case against former club Ajax over fines imposed during his move to Manchester United. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are all competing for the signature of Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes, according to a report. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Eintracht Frankfurt CEO Markus Krosche has confirmed that one club has "made contact" over a move to sign Omar Marmoush, amid reported interest from Manchester City. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly slapped a £40m price tag on the head of attacker Harvey Elliott, who is on the radar of Borussia Dortmund and Brighton & Hove Albion. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal's transfer warchest is reportedly about to receive a healthy boost, as former striker Mika Biereth is on the verge of joining Ligue 1 giants Monaco. 11 January 2025 talksport.com Plymouth picked up their first away win since April 2024 to knock out Brentford in an FA Cup giant killing. 11 January 2025 talksport.com Crystal Palace have agreed a deal with Millwall for teenage winger Romain Esse, talkSPORT understands. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea booked their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon courtesy of a 5-0 success over League Two outfit Morecambe at Stamford Bridge. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Divin Mubama will make his senior Manchester City debut in tonight's FA Cup third-round clash with Salford at the Etihad Stadium. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool head coach Arne Slot expects 16-year-old sensation Rio Ngumoha to "sleep well" after his historic FA Cup appearance in Saturday's 4-0 third-round win over Accrington Stanley. 11 January 2025 talksport.com Accrington Stanley's Donald Love might have a hard time getting to sleep tonight. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Diego Leon is reportedly now en route to England, as the Cerro Porteno wonderkid prepares to sign the paperwork which will make him a Manchester United player at the end of the 2024-25 campaign. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that Jude Bellingham is fit for Sunday's Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona after suffering with muscular overload in the semi-final of the competition. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk After seeing their three-match unbeaten streak snapped by a narrow 2-1 defeat to Galatasaray, Goztepe SK will look to immediately rebound when they host Kasimpasa at the Gursel Aksel Stadium on Sunday. 11 January 2025 talksport.com Swindon's clash with Crewe has been suspended as a result of poor visibility. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams aiming to avoid further setbacks in their respective campaigns will clash on Sunday as Konyaspor host Fenerbahce at the Torku Arena. 11 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly stepped up their interest in Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani, with the Red Devils now pushing to sign the France international during the January transfer window.