English Premier
2026-02-12 - Brentford vs Arsenal
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Thursday 12th February 2025 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Brentford
There have been times when you just expect the Brentford bubble to burst, but every time they have rallied really well under Keith Andrews. The manager should be given praise, but so should the players who have overcome key departures and instead stepped into the big shoes that have been left behind to push Brentford forward.
A late goal earned Brentford yet another big away win this past weekend and they have moved up into 7th place in the Premier League table and level on points with Liverpool. In fact, The Bees would have been above Liverpool going into this round of games if Manchester City's third 'goal' had been allowed to stand on Sunday and European Football has to be the aim. The side have a 7-3-2 record at the Gtech Community Stadium as they prepare for this important fixture on Thursday evening.
Brentford have won 7 of the last 10 games in all competitions since being dumped out of the League Cup Quarter Final at Manchester City, but most impressive is that they have won consecutive Premier League fixtures after losing against Chelsea and Nottingham Forest. They had been unbeaten in 7 home Premier League games and had won 5 of those before Brentford were upset by Nottingham Forest most recently at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Reiss Nelson cannot play against his parent club and Kevin Schade is suspended.
Arsenal
Opening up a 9 point lead at the top of the Premier League table on Saturday following a 3-0 win over Sunderland has put Arsenal in a strong position of favourites to win the title. However, that position has been weakened a little bit by Manchester City beating Liverpool on Sunday and the gap could be even closer if Pep Guardiola's men are able to beat Fulham on Wednesday.
You have to believe that Mikel Arteta will just be reminding his team that they are in control of their own destiny regardless of what Manchester City do. If Arsenal win 12 of the remaining 13 League games, they will finish as Champions and The Gunners will travel across London with a 7-3-2 away record, which is the best in the Premier League at this stage of the campaign.
Arsenal were stunned in a 2-3 home defeat to Manchester United last month, but they have bounced back to win 4 in a row in all competitions which keeps the fight going on four different fronts. The side will be looking for a fourth win in five away Premier League games since losing 2-1 at Villa Park in December.
Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka are both expected to miss out, while both Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard are doubts.
Head to Head
The two players mentioned previously, Merino and Saka, both scored in the 2-0 win over Brentford in December.
Brentford famously beat Arsenal at the Gtech Community Stadium in August 2021 in the opening game of the season, but it is The Gunners who have won 4 in a row here since then.
Prediction
The expectation is that Arsenal are going to win this Premier League game and the rearranged fixture at Wolves next week to really put the pressure on Manchester City.
However, this is not going to be an easy test for the League leaders and especially with Brentford having nothing to lose.
Keith Andrews has really helped the squad push on from losing key attacking players and manager Thomas Frank last summer and not many teams have visited this part of West London and had an easy ride. Back to back away wins at Aston Villa and Newcastle United have maintained the momentum, while Arsenal could be travelling without some important players to make things that much tougher.
The game at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday also feels like it could be a significant factor- if Manchester City have won and moved to within 3 points of Arsenal, you do have to see this fixture as being a lot more awkward than it already looks, while the away players will be under some pressure to win.
This could aid Brentford who will be looking to be direct, although you still have to favour Arsenal who have won 4 times in a row here since losing on the first visit in August 2021.
Mikel Arteta's team will always believe they can win behind a strong defensive base and Arsenal have won 3 of the last 4 away Premier League games played behind some strong attacking play.
However, the goalless draw at the City Ground will be the blueprint used by Keith Andrews and Brentford have shown they can be tough to break down when they set up to make things difficult for an opponent.
The Bees are far from a defensive minded team though and there will be moments when they look to challenge this Arsenal team, which will make them dangerous.
Champions or Champions elect will win games like this and Arsenal are deserving of being favourites.
Despite that, there remains a nagging feeling that another twist in the title race could happen this week and Brentford are certainly capable of avoiding being blown away by the visiting team.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Brentford 1-1 Arsenal
