Man City vs Brentford Prediction: Haaland to make history?

Manchester City will be gunning for their fourth-straight win in the Premier League when they welcome Brentford to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday (15:00). The reigning champions have started the season brightly as they gun for a record-extending fifth consecutive title.

The Bees have won two of their first three matches and currently occupy sixth. They have proven to be a thorn in the side of City in the past, but they will be in for a tough afternoon on Saturday. Read on for my Man City vs Brentford prediction, including match odds and team news.

Man City vs Brentford Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Man City vs Brentford page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Man City are 1/6, or an 85.7% chance, to win this match. Brentford are 14/1 to take the three points, giving them an implied probability of 6.7%. The draw can be backed at 15/2 (11.85).

Both teams to score is available at 10/11 and over 2.5 goals is marketed at 1/3.

Football Odds

Team News

Oscar Bobb remains out injured for Man City, and Nathan Ake looks to have joined him in the treatment room after picking up an injury with the Netherlands. Rodri, Phil Foden and Savinho have all been in training this week so all three could have roles to play in this clash.

Erling Haaland could possibly be absent this weekend after he was given compassionate leave following the death of a friend earlier in the week. The striker was seen in training on Thursday, however, which could indicate he will be in the squad this weekend.

For Brentford, they are missing Igor Thiago, Josh Dasilva, Mathias Jensen, Gustavo Nunes  and Aaron Hickey due to injury, while Rico Henry has suffered a setback in his recovery from a long-term lay-off.

Kristoffer Ajer should be fit in time for the weekend and could return to the Bees' defence.

Man City to win both halves @ 21/20

I like the look of this market because it has landed in all three of the Citizens' opening three matches in the top-flight. Pep Guardiola's side have been proficient in front of goal, with nine goals scored already - seven of which have come from their devastating striker Erling Haaland.

City are always branded as the team that start off casually and then get into their title-winning rhythm in the final few months of the campaign, but no one can say that of them after this year's start. Once again, they mean business.

Brentford have enjoyed a decent start themselves but in their one defeat, which came against City's title rivals Liverpool, they couldn't lay a glove on Arne Slot's side. Considering that came against a team who are still learning under a new boss, imagine how they will do against the well-drilled machine of Man City.

City have scored seven goals in their last two outings, largely thanks to Haaland's back-to-back hat-tricks. They are already looking sharp in the final third and I think they could be in for another free-scoring performance on home soil.

Erling Haaland to score three or more goals @ 8/1

The Norwegian goal machine racked up his eighth Premier League hat-trick in just 69 matches against West Ham United last time out, and it was his second in as many weeks, having netted one against Ipswich Town in the fixture before. Five other players have managed this feat in Premier League history, and I think Haaland has a great chance of putting himself in a league of his own.

Haaland is averaging a Premier League hat-trick every nine games - absolutely absurd. And I think this average could lower with another three goals this weekend. The Bees have conceded just four goals so far, but they have not had to defend against this prolific menace, and so Saturday is going to feel like a long afternoon as they try and keep him quiet.

The 24-year-old will be brimming with confidence ahead of his City return, and he kept his form up over the international break by netting a goal for Norway in the Uefa Nations League against Austria in an impressive 2-1 win. This man continues to defy logic when it comes to scoring goals, so I feel if anyone can make a rich piece of history in this division, only he can.

Offers

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down.

Place an In-Play single bet of £10 or more at odds of 1/2+ on any Premier League or Championship game on Friday or Saturday and get £5 in Free Bets to use In-Play on Sunday’s Premier League or Championship games.