Manchester City vs Brentford – LIVE!
Man City continue the defence of their Premier League title when they host Brentford later today. Pep Guardiola’s side do not always start seasons at their absolute best but have so far taken maximum points this time around, with Erling Haaland scoring hat-tricks in consecutive games. After a summer off, the striker is in ominous form.
The Bees, however, have enjoyed success against City over the past few years. They beat the champions home and away during their treble-winning campaign of 2022/23, so can take at least some confidence into the trip up to Manchester today.
Still, it would be a major surprise not to see City claim another three points. Even without some of their key stars following late returns from Euro 2024, they do not appear to have skipped a beat. Follow all the action LIVE with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
Kick-off time and venue: 3pm BST; Etihad Stadium
TV channel and live stream: Not available in UK
Manchester City starting XI
Brentford starting XI
Prediction: Man City to win again
14:00 , Jamie Dickenson
Erling Haaland will start as Man City make four changes from the side that beat West Ham 3-1 before the international break.
Kyle Walker and John Stones come in for Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias in defence, while Ilkay Gundogan replaces Bernando Silva in midfield and Savinho starts ahead of Jeremy Doku on the wing.
Phil Foden is fit enough to make the bench, as does Rodri who is yet to feature this season.
13:52
Brentford XI: Flekken, van den Berg, Pinnock, Norgaard, Wissa, Mbuemo, Ajer, Collins, Lewis-Potter, Damsgaard, Janelt.
Subs: Valdimarsson, Schade, Carvalho, Mee, Yarmoliuk, Meghoma, Konak, Trevitt, Roerslev.
13:51 , Jamie Dickenson
Man City: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Kovacic, Grealish, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Akanji, Savinho, Lewis, Haaland.
Subs: Ortega, Dias, Doku, Rodri, Silva, Gvardiol, Nunes, Foden, McAtee.
13:49 , Jamie Dickenson
We will have the confirmed starting line-ups from the Etihad in just a few minutes time…
13:45 , Jamie Dickenson
Erling Haaland is reportedly set to start for Manchester City against Brentford despite being granted compassionate leave following the death of a close family friend.
Haaland scored for Norway in their 2-1 Nations League win over Austria on Monday night, with the family since in mourning after the passing of Ivar Eggja.
Pep Guardiola has left it up to the striker to decide whether he wants to play today, having trained at the City Football Academy this week.
And the feeling is that Haaland – who posted a tribute on Instagram to the man he affectionately referred to as ‘uncle’ – will start this afternoon.
13:34 , Jamie Dickenson
Manchester City’s hearing into their 115 charges for breaching FFP (Financial Fair Play) regulations will begin on Monday.
Expulsion from the Premier League would be a genuine possibility if the 115 charges against Manchester City are proven.
City strongly refute all the charges raised against them, regarding alleged financial impropriety and other issues from 2009 onwards.
A resolution should be reached before the end of the current season.
Pep Guardiola said: “I’m happy it’s starting on Monday. It starts soon and then hopefully finishes soon.
“An independent panel will decide and I am looking forward to the decision.”
13:24 , Jamie Dickenson
Here are Manchester City’s results so far this season as they bid for a fifth consecutive Premier League title:
Man City 0-0 Man Utd (Man City win 7-6 on penalties), Community Shield
Chelsea 0-2 Man City, Premier League
Man City 4-1 Ipswich, Premier League
West Ham 1-3 Man City, Premier League
Erling Haaland has scored seven league goals in just three games!
13:15 , Jamie Dickenson
Pep Guardiola is unsure whether Erling Haaland will play in Manchester City’s game against Brentford after being offered compassionate leave following the death of a family friend.
The Haaland family are grieving the passing of Ivar Eggja, who has died at the age of 59.
Haaland affectionately referred to Eggja as ‘uncle’, with him performing a crucial role in the player’s camp.
13:06 , Jamie Dickenson
Man City to win: 1/6
Draw: 13/2
Brentford to win: 15/1
Odds via Betfair and subject to change.
13:00
Man City wins: 11
Draws: 1
Brentford wins: 7
12:46
City will be too strong at home despite Brentford’s good form.
Man City to win, 3-1.
12:41
Brentford have a number of injuries going into their clash with Man City, although Kristoffer Ajer is available.
Matias Jensen has been ruled out, while Joshua Dasilva, Rico Henry, Igor Thiago and Aaron Hickey all remain sidelined.
Henry will soon make his long-awaited return from a serious knee injury but is not available for Saturday’s trip.
12:37
Erling Haaland has been offered compassionate leave following the death of a family friend, but could yet feature.
Nathan Ake is expected to miss out until after next month’s international break after sustaining a muscle injury while playing for the Netherlands against Germany.
But Phil Foden is back in training after pulling out of the recent England squad due to illness.
12:33
TV channel: The match will not be broadcast live in the UK as it takes place during the 3pm blackout imposed across English football.
Free highlights: Match of the Day, however, will show highlights when it airs at 10.30pm tonight on BBC One.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
12:13 , Jamie Dickenson
Good afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Manchester City’s Premier League game with Brentford.
Kick-off from the Etihad Stadium will be at 3pm BST.
