Thomas Frank is eagerly anticipating a reunion with Brentford as his Tottenham team prepares to host them in the Premier League this Saturday.
This marks Frank’s first encounter with Brentford since his departure over the summer. Spurs are currently experiencing a challenging period, having failed to secure a win in their last five matches across all competitions. Their recent 2-2 draw against Newcastle midweek leaves them winless in four Premier League games, placing them 11th in the standings.
Brentford and Tottenham are tied on points, but Spurs hold a slight edge due to goal difference. The Bees have alternated between wins and losses in their last six league matches, including a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on Wednesday. Keith Andrews made several changes for that match, choosing not to start Igor Thiago. Despite the result, Andrews defended his decision, citing the demanding schedule.
Reflecting on his time at Brentford, Frank shared, “I spent almost a quarter of my life there. I had a fantastic time there; I enjoyed every second of it. A lot of people I’ll see on Saturday who I haven’t seen for a long time.” He acknowledged Keith Andrews’ commendable work at Brentford despite losing key players over the summer.
Frank emphasised that while he holds great respect for Brentford and its fans, his focus during the match will be solely on securing three points for Tottenham. “Everyone knows the respect I have for Brentford, the fans and everyone. But in the 90 minutes it’s all about one thing-do what we can to win the game,” he stated.
Mohammed Kudus has been instrumental for Tottenham this season with five assists in the Premier League. He aims to continue his form by contributing to goals in three consecutive league matches for the first time after scoring against Fulham and assisting against Newcastle United.
Igor Thiago has been prolific for Brentford with nine goals in his last eight starts. His contributions have earned Brentford eight points this season. The Brazilian has reached double figures earlier than any other player from his club in Premier League history.
Match Prediction: Tottenham’s Prospects
Tottenham have lost only one of their eight Premier League encounters with Brentford (W4 D3), winning their last three meetings consecutively. However, they have struggled recently in London derbies, losing their last three such matches.
Brentford have faced challenges away from home against Spurs, losing three out of four encounters except for a victory in May 2023. Given that no team has lost more away games than Brentford this season (six), a draw might be likely.
| Outcome | Probability (%) |
|---|---|
| Tottenham Win | 44.5% |
| Draw | 26.8% |
| Brentford Win | 28.7% |
This year has been challenging for Spurs at home, with only three wins from 16 league games (D3 L10). Their ten home defeats match their highest tally from previous years like 1994 and 2003.