Tottenham vs Brentford: Live Stream, Team News & Predictions - Who Will Win? ⚽️

Tottenham Look to Kick-Start Their Season Against a Resurgent Brentford

Simply put, Ange Postecoglou could use a win when Tottenham host Brentford in north London on Saturday (10 am ET). No, he’s nowhere near win-or-you’re-out territory four games after the club backed him with nearly $200 million of signings this summer, but it sure would make the day-to-day a bit more bearable. After back-to-back defeats to Newcastle and Arsenal, Spurs sit 13th in the Premier League table. The more possession and attacking intent Tottenham have, the more they seem to get themselves into trouble at their own end of the field. $83-million summer signing Dominic Solanke remains in search of his first goal for the club, which sums up Spurs’ scoring struggles, which all too often results in counter-attacks against too few defenders.

A Counter-Attack Masterclass

And who in the PL plays better counter-attacking football than Brentford? Maybe no one. Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa have formed a dynamic partnership up top for Thomas Frank’s side with three goals apiece already this season, making the transition to the post-Ivan Toney era a surprisingly smooth one so far. Alas, Wissa suffered an ankle injury in the Bees’ defeat to Manchester City last weekend is expected to be out a couple of months. Fabio Carvalho, who signed from Liverpool for $35 million this summer, could be in line for his first PL start for Brentford after scoring a sensational overhead kick in midweek League Cup action. The 22-year-old also had two assists in the 3-1 win over League One side Leyton Orient.

A Nightmare Matchup?

Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario’s kryptonite reared its ugly head once again in the north London derby as he was beaten on another set piece. And what is Brentford’s other superpower? Attacking set pieces. This is potentially a nightmare matchup for Spurs. Tottenham 2-2 Brentford.

Tottenham's Midweek Win Over Coventry: A Sign of Things to Come?

Spurs were minutes away from a disastrous early exit in the Carabao Cup in midweek, before late goals from Djed Spence and Brennan Johnson turned things around against Coventry. Johnson has faced criticism in the opening weeks of the season, but he starts on the right for Spurs this afternoon, with Timo Werner and Yves Bissouma among those on the bench.

Key Players to Watch

Tottenham

James Maddison: The summer signing from Leicester City has shown flashes of brilliance, and his creativity will be key for Spurs to unlock Brentford's defense.
Brennan Johnson: The young winger has been under pressure, but his performance against Coventry City suggests he could be ready to step up.
Dejan Kulusevski: The Swedish winger is a threat with his pace and dribbling skills, and he could be a decisive factor for Spurs.

Brentford

Bryan Mbeumo: The Cameroonian forward is a constant threat, and his pace and finishing ability could cause problems for Spurs' defense.
Fabio Carvalho: The former Liverpool midfielder has made a good start to his Brentford career and could be a key player against Tottenham.
Christian Norgaard: The Danish midfielder is a key part of Brentford's midfield, and his defensive solidity will be vital in stopping Tottenham's attacking threats.

The Tactical Battle

Postecoglou's Tottenham have been playing an attacking brand of football that has seen them dominate possession, but they have been struggling to convert their dominance into goals. Frank's Brentford, on the other hand, are a well-organized team that is dangerous on the counter-attack. The key to the match could be how Tottenham cope with Brentford's pace and counter-attacking threat.

The Verdict

Tottenham have been inconsistent so far this season, but they have the quality to beat Brentford. However, Brentford are a tough opponent, and they are likely to cause Tottenham problems. It's a match that could go either way, but I think Tottenham's attacking firepower will ultimately prove too strong for Brentford.