Manchester City are back on the road in the Premier League, as they face Brentford at the GTECH Community Stadium.
The Blues will be hoping to continue their unbeaten streak before the international break next week, but will face a tough test against a bogey opposition for them.
Despite losing manager Thomas Frank as well as key players in Bryan Mbeumo, Yoanne Wissa and Christian Norgaard this summer, Brentford have had a decent start under new manager Keith Andrews.
They tend to perform well against City too, doing the double over them the season they won the treble.
Here are five things to look out for in the Premier League clash:
Another Foden goal
MONACO, MONACO - OCTOBER 01: Phil Foden of Manchester City in action during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between AS Monaco and Manchester City at Stade Louis II on October 01, 2025 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images)
MONACO, MONACO - OCTOBER 01: Phil Foden of Manchester City in action during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between AS Monaco and Manchester City at Stade Louis II on October 01, 2025 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images)
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Since Brentford were promoted in 2021, City have scored six goals against them at their stadium.
All six were scored by Phil Foden.
The English midfielder has been omitted from the most recent national team squad by manager Thomas Tuchel, with the likes of Morgan Rogers, Morgan Gibbs-White, Eberechi Eze and Ruben Loftus-Cheek preferred instead.
Foden has never properly shone for England, but I don’t really care, so long as he delivers the goods for City, which he has certainly done this season.
Tuchel has shown he’s willing to pick anyone if they work hard and play well, and no-one’s save - with Jude Bellingham not being called up despite returning from injury recently.
And if City’s number 47 carries on his form for the Blues, starting with a customary goal against Brentford, there’s no doubt he’ll be back in that squad sooner rather than later.
Bobb on the right
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Oscar Bobb of Manchester City reacts after missing a chance during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Huddersfield Town and Manchester City at Accu Stadium on September 24, 2025 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Oscar Bobb of Manchester City reacts after missing a chance during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Huddersfield Town and Manchester City at Accu Stadium on September 24, 2025 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
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In the last two games, Bernardo Silva and Savinho have been given the chance to start on the right side.
Neither of them really impressed. Savinho was the first man replaced against Burnley, whilst Bernardo’s experience is valuable against Monaco but he was slightly frustrating with his lack of drive and threat on the right.
Now is the turn of City’s 22-year-old Norwegian winger to have the chance to shine. He’s still recovering a bit physically and mentally from his leg break last season, but I think his cameo against Burnley was much more promising than the Huddersfield Town performance where he was somewhat frustrating.
Pep Guardiola is clearly a big fan of Bobb, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he’s given the chance to impress from the off against the Bees.
Brentford’s threat from set pieces
Brentford set piece coach Keith Andrews during the Premier League match at the Gtech Community Stadium, London. Picture date: Tuesday January 14, 2025. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)
Brentford set piece coach Keith Andrews during the Premier League match at the Gtech Community Stadium, London. Picture date: Tuesday January 14, 2025. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)
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One of the most effective ways Brentford tended to cause teams issues since they were promoted in 2021 was through set pieces.
Andrews was the mastermind behind this as the set piece coach, so expect them to cause City problems in this area.
Erling Haaland, Rodri, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and Nico O’Reilly provide good height to clear set pieces, and with the rise in popularity of long throws added to corners, they’re going to be needed to be alert and in position at all times.
Some of the injured players returning to the squad?
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Rayan Cherki of Manchester City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Rayan Cherki of Manchester City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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Divine Mukasa and Stephen Mfuni have been named in the starting XI for City EDS’ match against Reading, meaning City will likely have more first team players back in the squad.
Rayan Cherki looks set to be one of them… according to Haaland’s Snapchat story. The French midfielder has been out for over a month with a muscle injury but was pictured next to the Norwegian striker on Snapchat as the players flew down to London.
And we never know whether Abdukodir Khusanov, Rayan Ait-Nouri or Omar Marmoush could be fit for the Blues. All three are reportedly close to a comeback, and despite not being pictured in training, it wouldn’t be hugely surprising to see any of them make the bench.
A tricky game to watch but eventual win
MONACO, MONACO - OCTOBER 1: Erling Braut Haaland of Manchester City celebrates 0-1 during the UEFA Champions League match between AS Monaco v Manchester City at the Stade Louis II on October 1, 2025 in Monaco Monaco (Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images)
MONACO, MONACO - OCTOBER 1: Erling Braut Haaland of Manchester City celebrates 0-1 during the UEFA Champions League match between AS Monaco v Manchester City at the Stade Louis II on October 1, 2025 in Monaco Monaco (Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images)
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Brentford vs City is always a difficult watch; the Blues have always tended to be frustrated by the physicality and directness of previous Brentford sides at home or away.
But to be fair to them, City have lost just twice to the Bees since they were promoted, and they’re undeniably a weaker side without Frank, Mbeumo and Wissa.
City have been brilliant of late and I’m expecting them to go into the international break on a high note with victory in London.