Everton Vs Southampton

Following successful outings in the EFL Cup second round, Brentford and Southampton return to Premier League action this Saturday at the Gtech Community Stadium. Both sides will be eager to correct their league missteps, with Brentford looking to bounce back from a loss to Liverpool, while Southampton aims to recover from a disappointing start to the season.

Match Preview

Thomas Frank's Brentford will be hosting the clash, fresh off a hard-fought victory over Colchester United in the midweek EFL Cup fixture. However, the Bees are coming into this game with mixed emotions, having succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool in their last Premier League outing. Despite the loss, Brentford's performance at Anfield was not without its merits, as the team demonstrated resilience and disciplined defending, particularly in the first half, limiting Liverpool's attacking opportunities. Nonetheless, goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah either side of halftime sealed Brentford's fate.

In contrast, Brentford's EFL Cup campaign saw them avoiding a potential giant-killing scenario against Colchester United. The decisive moment in the match came just before halftime when Keane Lewis-Potter found the back of the net. Despite Brentford's dominance, Colchester was handed a golden chance to level the score with a late penalty. Fortunately for the Bees, stand-in goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson heroically saved Jack Payne's spot-kick, ensuring Brentford's passage to the next round.

With challenging fixtures against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur looming in September, as well as an EFL Cup tie against Leyton Orient, Brentford will be keen to secure back-to-back Premier League home victories for the first time since November 2023. The Gtech Community Stadium faithful have every reason to be optimistic, as Brentford has an impressive record of seven consecutive home wins against newly-promoted Premier League teams, scoring at least twice in each of those victories. This formidable home form against newcomers will give Brentford confidence as they prepare to face Southampton.

Meanwhile, Southampton's return to the Premier League has been far from ideal. Despite only conceding two goals in their first two league matches, Russell Martin's side has yet to register a point, suffering defeats to Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest. The loss to Nottingham Forest was particularly frustrating for the Saints, as a solitary goal from Morgan Gibbs-White was enough to seal the victory for the visitors in what was otherwise a largely uneventful match at St Mary's Stadium.

However, Southampton's EFL Cup opener provided a stark contrast to their Premier League struggles. In a thrilling encounter against Cardiff City in the Welsh capital, the Saints emerged victorious in an eight-goal thriller. Southampton took the lead three times during the match, only to be pegged back on each occasion. Ultimately, injury-time goals from Cameron Archer and James Bree secured a dramatic 5-3 victory, allowing Southampton to progress to the next round of the competition.

Despite their cup success, Southampton's focus is now firmly on their Premier League campaign. The Saints are desperate to put their first points on the board and avoid a potentially disastrous start to the season. If they fail to score and suffer defeat once more, it will mark the first time since the 2001-02 season that Southampton has lost their opening three league matches without finding the back of the net.

Adding to Southampton's concerns is their poor recent record against Brentford. Since winning their first-ever Premier League encounter with the Bees 4-1, Southampton has struggled to make any impact in this fixture. They have lost their last three meetings against Brentford, failing to score a single goal while conceding eight in the process. This alarming statistic will no doubt be at the forefront of Russell Martin's mind as he prepares his team for Saturday's showdown.

Brentford's Strong Start to the Season

Brentford entered the 2024-25 Premier League season with high expectations, especially after a successful pre-season campaign that saw them secure impressive results against tough opposition. Thomas Frank's side kicked off their Premier League campaign with a well-deserved 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The win against Palace was a statement of intent from Brentford, as they ended the Eagles' unbeaten run and announced themselves as a force to be reckoned with this season.

However, their momentum was halted at Anfield, where they faced a formidable Liverpool side. Despite their best efforts, Brentford struggled to contain Liverpool's attacking prowess, and goals from Diaz and Salah ultimately condemned them to their first defeat of the season. While the loss was a setback, Brentford's overall performance in the match showed that they are capable of competing with the top teams in the league.

In their EFL Cup clash with Colchester United, Brentford made several changes to their starting lineup, giving fringe players and young talents an opportunity to impress. Keane Lewis-Potter, who has been tipped as one of Brentford's brightest prospects, seized his chance with a well-taken goal just before the interval. Colchester, to their credit, put up a brave fight and came close to equalizing late in the game, but Valdimarsson's penalty save ensured Brentford's safe passage to the third round.

As they prepare to face Southampton, Brentford will be looking to build on their strong start to the season and secure another three points. Thomas Frank will likely revert to his strongest lineup, with key players such as Bryan Mbeumo, Rico Henry, and Christian Norgaard expected to return to the starting XI. Mbeumo, in particular, will be eager to add to his goal tally after scoring in Brentford's opening day win over Crystal Palace.

Southampton's Struggles and Potential for Redemption

Southampton's return to the Premier League has been a difficult one, with two defeats in their opening two matches. Russell Martin, who took over as manager in the summer, has been tasked with guiding the Saints back to the top flight and ensuring they remain competitive at this level. However, the early signs have not been promising, with Southampton struggling to find the back of the net and losing games by narrow margins.

Their opening day defeat to Newcastle United was a harsh introduction to the realities of Premier League football. The Magpies dominated possession and created numerous chances, eventually securing a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson. Southampton's defense was breached on several occasions, and they were fortunate not to concede more goals.

In their second match against Nottingham Forest, Southampton improved defensively but were still unable to prevent defeat. A solitary goal from Morgan Gibbs-White was enough to give Forest the win, leaving Southampton without a point after two games. Despite controlling large portions of the match, Southampton's lack of cutting edge in front of goal proved to be their downfall.

The EFL Cup provided some respite for Southampton, as they produced a thrilling performance to overcome Cardiff City. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams trading blows in an end-to-end contest. Southampton's attacking play was much improved, with goals from Carlos Alcaraz, Che Adams, and Samuel Edozie showcasing the team's potential in the final third. However, defensive frailties were still evident, as Cardiff were able to equalize on three occasions.

Russell Martin will be hoping that the cup victory can serve as a turning point for his team as they return to Premier League action. Southampton's primary objective will be to tighten up defensively while continuing to improve their attacking output. The return of experienced players such as James Ward-Prowse and Theo Walcott could provide a much-needed boost to the team, both in terms of leadership and quality on the pitch.

Key Battles and Tactical Considerations

As Brentford and Southampton prepare to face off, several key battles on the pitch could determine the outcome of the match. One of the most intriguing matchups will be between Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo and Southampton's Kyle Walker-Peters. Mbeumo's pace and trickery on the wing make him a constant threat, and Walker-Peters will need to be at his best to keep the Brentford winger quiet.

In the midfield, the battle between Brentford's Christian Norgaard and Southampton's James Ward-Prowse could be pivotal. Norgaard's ability to break up play and dictate the tempo of the game will be crucial for Brentford, while Ward-Prowse's set-piece delivery and vision could unlock the Brentford defense.

Tactically, Thomas Frank is likely to stick with his preferred 3-5-2 formation, which allows Brentford to control the midfield and create overloads in wide areas. The wing-backs, Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey, will play a key role in stretching the Southampton defense and providing service to the strikers. On the other hand, Russell Martin may opt for a more cautious approach, with a focus on solidifying the defense and hitting Brentford on the counter-attack.

Prediction and Possible Outcome

Brentford's impressive home form and Southampton's struggles suggest that the Bees are the favorites to come out on top in this encounter. However, Southampton has shown glimpses of their potential, and if they can tighten up defensively and take their chances, they could cause an upset.

Overall, a closely contested match is expected, but Brentford's firepower and home advantage could prove decisive in securing a victory.