Brentford tackle champions Manchester City with plenty to play for on the final day of the Premier League.
Champions Manchester City’s 12-match winning streak in the Premier League came to an end as they were held to a 1-1 draw at sixth-placed Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday.
“Exceptional game. Congratulations to Brighton for their deserved qualification to the Europa League,” Guardiola said.
While star forward Ivan Toney serves an eight-month ban, the Bees have not slowed down. A run of four wins across the last five Premier League rounds has ensured that Brentford have a slim chance of achieving European qualification on the final day.
They need to win this tie and hope Spurs and Aston Villa both lose.
Brentford’s stunning run included the magic 3-1 win over Tottenham, a result which completed a collection of wins against the league’s “Big Six” sides since their promotion.
Five of them came this season and that includes an away win over the three-time consecutive champions Manchester City, who arrive in London looking to avoid a losing league double against Brentford for the first time since 1938.
Pep Guardiola wasn’t too harsh on his players for playing out a 1-1 draw against Brighton in midweek after they “drank all the alcohol in Manchester” just last weekend after learning of their glorious title achievement.
He might rest some more stars with the FA Cup and Champions League finals on the horizon.
The champions could also become the very first team in Premier League history to win six London away games in one campaign if they can turn Brentford over. And why would you bet against that with a run of 25 games unbeaten on the go.
City have won eight of their last nine PL final day games, including each of their last six.