Sunderland head to a ground where they’ve never won in the Premier League, against a Brentford side who’ve barely put a foot wrong since Keith Andrews took charge last season.
Brentford opened the campaign with a 3-0 thumping of Tottenham. They followed it up with a 1-1 draw at Leeds, having led through a Kevin Schade special before Dominic Calvert-Lewin nicked a late equaliser.
Four points from two games and fifth in the table is a fine start to Andrews’s second full season in charge, and the early signs suggest last year’s ninth-place finish was a platform rather than a peak.
Sunderland have had a mixed start under Regis Le Bris. A 2-1 opening-day defeat at Ipswich was followed by a gritty 1-0 win over Fulham, Wilson Isidor popping up 15 minutes from time to settle it.
There are some fresh faces in Le Bris’s squad, with Malick Fofana arriving on deadline day and Kevin Danso landing on loan from Tottenham. Their record at the Gtech doesn’t offer much comfort ahead of Saturday, though.
The Black Cats lost 3-0 there in January and have never won at Brentford’s new home. Habib Diarra’s hamstring injury, which will keep him out for six to eight weeks, doesn’t exactly help their cause either.
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What are the best picks for Brentford vs Sunderland?
Brentford to win
Brentford have won two of their last three home meetings with Sunderland, and history isn’t the only thing pointing their way.
The Bees have had 48 shots in the league already this season, second only to Manchester United’s tally, and they’re doing it at home with a settled system under Andrews.
Sunderland’s away form makes for uncomfortable reading too. They’ve lost their last three Premier League trips to London, shipping three goals each time.
Igor Thiago to score anytime
Thiago is Brentford’s main outlet up top, and he’s been reliable from the spot too, converting penalties in three of his last five home appearances.
A Sunderland defence that has made a handful of mistakes already this season is exactly what every centre forward wants to come up against.
Over 2.5 goals
We’ve already made the case for Brentford’s attacking numbers above, and that shot volume tends to translate into goals more often than not. Sunderland aren’t blunt in front of goal either, with Isidor’s late winner against Fulham proof they’ve got something up top.
Add a high-volume Brentford attack to a Sunderland side who’ve conceded three in each of their last three away trips to London, and goals look the way to go.
If you fancy hedging your bets, both teams to score is a reasonable alternative here too.
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Where can I watch Brentford vs Sunderland?
Brentford vs Sunderland kicks off at 3 pm BST on Saturday, 5 September at the Gtech Community Stadium.
This game is not available in the UK due to the 3 pm blackout.
For viewers in the United States, the match kicks off at 10am ET. You can watch it on Peacock.
What is Brentford’s predicted team?
(4-2-3-1) Kelleher — Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Lewis-Potter — Sangaré, Janelt — Anthony, Damsgaard, Schade — Thiago.
Injured: Milambo, Van den Berg, Jensen, Dasilva.
What is Sunderland’s predicted team?
(4-2-3-1) Roefs — Meunier, Ballard, Reinildo, Mukiele — Xhaka, Sadiki — Angulo, Le Fée, Fofana — Brobbey.
Injured: Diarra.
Score prediction: Brentford 2-1 Sunderland
Neither team has started particularly consistently; that said, Brentford have been the better side so far.
Home form will be key here – if this was the reverse fixture I could be sat here picking Sunderland, that’s how close I think this one is.
But they aren’t and I’m not. I do think Sunderland get a goal, but I feel like Brentford will have too much for them over the course.
Expect a close one, but that’s my scoreline.
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