Will the Bees confirm their upward trend in their next derby?
Brentford FC have won three of their last four league games, marking a 4-1 victory at in-form city rivals Chelsea FC last Saturday. Now the Bees, who are back to a much more comfortable position in the table, nine points clear of the first relegation spot, face the next London derby.
West Ham United have won two of their last three league games and go into matchday 32 in sixth place in the table. The Irons, who also played in the quarter-finals of the Europa League during the week (1-1 against Olympique Lyon), are currently setting the course for another season in international climes. Accordingly, in the run-up to the derby between Brentford and West Ham, the odds are swinging in the Hammers’ direction.
However, the Irons have already lost the first leg against city rivals Brentford with 1:2. Overall, there is only one win in the last five competitive games against the Bees (one draw, three defeats), which is why betting on the Hammers to win a point at Brentford against West Ham is not under the best of omens.
Brentford – Statistics & current form
Brentford Football Club were promoted to the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history last summer, which came as quite a surprise when the Bees won the Championship play-offs. For many experts, the club from the west of London was therefore also the number one relegation candidate in the run-up to the 2021/22 season.
However, in contrast to the two direct promoters Norwich and Watford, who currently occupy the last two places in the Premier League, Brentford are in 14th place and have a comfortable nine points on the first relegation place.
Won three of last four league games
With seven games left to play in the west of London, the Bees have won three of their last four league games (one defeat) and even beat Chelsea 4-1 away in the London derby.
The Bees’ attack has improved in recent weeks, with 37 goals from 31 league games. This makes Brentford the eleventh best attacking team in the Premier League.
Also on the upswing thanks to Christian Eriksen
Meanwhile, the fact that things are flowing more smoothly forward again is also thanks to Christian Eriksen, who has found a new home in west London after his long break following his collapse at EURO 2021. The Bees have won all three Premier League games in which coach Thomas Frank’s compatriot has featured in the starting eleven.
With this in mind, Brentford’s next point in a London derby against West Ham augurs well for the Bees. After all, the Bees have already picked up eleven of a possible 24 points from their eight league games against city rivals – the second-best figure of all current London first division teams this season.
Predicted Brentford line-up:
Raya – Henry – Pinnock – Jansson – Ajer – Rasmussen – Janelt – Nörgaard – Eriksen – Toney – Mbeumo
Last matches played by Brentford:
Premier League
04/02 2022 – Chelsea FC 1 – 4 Brentford
03/20 2022 – Leicester 2 – 1 Brentford
03/12 2022 – Brentford 2 – 0 Burnley
03/05 2022 – Norwich 1 – 3 Brentford
02/26 2022 – Brentford 0 – 2 Newcastle United
West Ham – Statistics & current form
West Ham United finished the 2020/21 season in sixth place under David Moyes, qualifying for the group stage of a UEFA competition for the first time in the club’s history.
The Hammers sold themselves dearly in the Europa League, winning Group H ahead of Dinamo Zagreb and even eliminating record winners Sevilla 2-1 in the round of 16. During the week they held Olympique Lyon to a 1-1 draw despite playing a half shorthanded.
Still on course for Europe as sixth in the table
In the Premier League, meanwhile, the men from London’s East End are setting the course for not just a one-off trip to Europe, but for more magical nights in international climes in the future.
Up to and including matchday 16, the Hammers were almost always in a Champions League starting position last autumn, but after a solid second half of the season, they are now “only” in sixth place. However, almost everything is still possible at the top.
Six of the last ten Premier League away games lost
Recently, however, the Irons only picked up four more wins among their last ten league games (two draws, four defeats), which ultimately also showed that there is still room for improvement. In particular, six of the last ten league games were lost away from home (two wins, two draws).
Nevertheless, the Hammers travel to their city rivals as favourites. After all, Moyes’ side have already picked up 18 points more than the Bees from their first 31 league games, which is why the odds on Brentford against West Ham also swing in the direction of the side from London’s East End.
Predicted West Ham line-up:
Fabianski – Cresswell – Zouma – Dawson – Fredericks – Rice – Soucek – Fornals – Benrahma – Bowen – Antonio
Last matches played by West Ham:
Europa League Final Stage
04/07 2022 – West Ham 1 – 1 Lyon
Premier League
04/03 2022 – West Ham 2 – 1 Everton
03/20 2022 – Tottenham 3 – 1 West Ham
Europa League Final Stage
03/17 2022 – West Ham 2 – 0 Sevilla FC
Premier League
03/13 2022 – West Ham 2 – 1 Aston Villa
Brentford – West Ham Direct comparison / H2H record
Head to head: 16 – 11 – 22
There have been a total of 49 meetings between the two London clubs so far and with 22 wins, the balance is in favour of the Hammers, who however suffered a 2-1 home defeat against Brentford in the first leg. Overall, West Ham have won just one of their last five competitive games against the Bees (one draw, three defeats).
Brentford – West Ham Tip
In principle, the prediction for Brentford against West Ham goes in the direction of the Hammers. However, because the Bees won the first leg and have won three of their last four league games, a point for the West Londoners is by no means out of the question. Accordingly, the three-way system is unsuitable for this duel.
Far more value can be found in betting on a high-scoring city duel, especially due to the Bees’ resurgent offence, which has scored a total of ten goals in their last four league games.
