Manchester City vs Brentford: TV coverage plans

Brentford face a tough challenge when they travel to Manchester City in their final game before the World Cup, and it is available to watch on US television.

The Premier League will host its final round of fixtures before the World Cup break. Manchester City will be hoping to head into that break as close to league-leaders Arsenal as possible.

In order to do that, Pep Guardiola’s charges must record a win over Brentford. The hosts will be boosted by the return of Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian made an appearance from the bench against Fulham on Saturday. He scored the winning goal and will start against the Bees.

Brentford are a team with the potential to shock anyone in the Premier League. Their 4-0 dismantling of Manchester United earlier in the season was proof enough.

Thomas Frank is astute enough to know he won’t be able to take the game to the defending champions.

A victory in Saturday’s early kick-off will take the Blues back to the top of the Premier League. Meanwhile, Brentford continue to outperform their limited resources and are sat in eleventh.

Manchester City vs Brentford TV coverage plans

Kickoff time: 7:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 a.m. PT – Saturday, Nov. 12
Watch now (in USA): Live on Sling Blue
Commentators: Jim Proudfoot and Jim Beglin
US TV: Match is on USA Network (available via Sling Blue)

Comparing Manchester City and Brentford’s recent form

The Blues have an almost perfect copybook from their last five matches. A 1-0 defeat at Anfield is the only blot.

City did play well against the Merseyside club though, despite the result. In their other four games they have beaten Southampton, Brighton, Leicester City and Fulham.

In contrast, Brentford have slipped in their last five outings. They have managed just one victory in five, which came all the way back on October 14 against Brighton.

Since then, the Bees drew with Chelsea, Wolves and Nottingham Forest, as well as being demolished 4-0 at Aston Villa.

Frank will undoubtedly be concerned about his team’s form, with the goals from Ivan Toney drying up. It’s unlikely that things will get any easier with a trip to the defending champions.

Predicted line-ups

Manchester City will continue to be without Kalvin Phillips and Kyle Walker through injury. Joao Cancelo was sent off against Fulham, but will be eligible to play against Brentford after serving his suspension in the Carabao Cup.

Erling Haaland will return to the starting XI after fully recovering from an injury.

Aaron Hickey is out with an ankle injury and won’t make the trip to the Etihad Stadium. Aside from this, Brentford don’t have any availability concerns.

Ivan Toney will return from suspension and be eligible for selection, irrespective of a Football Association investigation surrounding his betting.

Manchester City predicted starting XI (4-3-3): Ederson, Akanji, Laporte, Dias, Cancelo, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Grealish, Haaland

Brentford predicted starting XI (4-3-3): Raya, Roerslev, Mee, Pinnock, Henry, Jensen, Janelt, Dasilva, Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Toney

PHOTO: IMAGO / Focus Images