Crystal Palace - Brentford 01-11-25

Crystal Palace vs Brentford in the tenth round of this year's Premier League. Table neighbors, and goal-scoring gentlemen. But, they have one thing in common beyond this, namely that they have both beaten Liverpool in recent days. Palace rolled the ball in a hat with Liverpool's reserve team on Wednesday, while Brentford defeated the reigning champions in the previous league round. Now there are more people who are disciplining the reds from the Beatles city at the moment, but still, it shows the qualities in these crews. Both Crystal Palace and Brentford have players who ooze self-confidence and goal-scoring flair, and even though they have both sold players for unheard of millions in recent seasons, these are two very capable football teams. We imagine an exciting and open football match, where these very aces will quickly become the tip of the scale. But, which side will the scales tip? Let's see if we can be a little wiser before kick-off on Saturday at 4 pm.

Crystal Palace – In a temporary impasse?

I wrote an analysis of Arsenal – Crystal Palace last weekend, where the focus was on Arsenal's defensive superiority, as well as the fact that the league leader is in fearsome form today. The analysis was a hair's breadth from sitting, but the match ended 1-0, and not 2/3-0 as expected. What was still a fact when the referee blew the whistle was that the alternative play you were served was in. Arsenal won, and they kept a clean sheet. Palace thus went goalless for the second time in a row. Not surprising that this would happen against the Gunners, but considering the goal-rich matches before, they should show that they can when Liverpool hosted the League Cup this Wednesday. Sarr was in brilliant form, and a convincing 3-0 win was a fact. It is true that Slot rested almost the entire team, but a win is a win, and once again they played on their self-confidence in front of goal.

Mateta and Sarr are sometimes monsters on the pitch. What a capacity these two have! But then they disappear in some matches, and you understand why they play for Palace, and not for one of the top teams. Because with all due respect, there is a certain difference between delivering when "nobody" thinks you can do it, versus having to deliver weekend after weekend on the biggest stage. Both of these possess qualities that should indicate that you should be able to climb all the way to the top, so we will see what next season may bring for these two in particular.

In the previous analysis we wrote about wingback Munoz and his constant contribution at right-back. Against Brentford there is much to suggest that this man will come into his own more, and the offensive contributions will come more frequently. We predict a vital right-back on Saturday, and the fact that Sarr scored two against Liverpool will not exactly dampen expectations. Palace come into this match with self-belief, and it will not be surprising if the goals come again for the red and blue. Glasner must curl the defensive plan he had against Arsenal, and throw a party again. A rested Mateta will be on his game!

Brentford – About to assume the same situation as last season

Because in 2024/2025, Brentford was synonymous with goals. They won and lost games one after the other, but not before the goals had flowed both ways. We are seeing a bit of the same now, with a goal difference of 14-14, and both four games won as well as lost. Brentford is either or, but never boring. And their last game in the domestic league? Yes, 3-2 over Liverpool. Completely in line with how they do it there in the yard.

For Brentford managed to recreate the goals even without their two leading figures at the top. The striker pair was split up and sold to bigger clubs, and they had to look to others for goal points. Against Liverpool last Saturday, it was Schade, Thiago and Ouattara who scored the goals. Exactly the three you want to be the last on the ball. With an attacking trio finding their way to the net, Brentford are once again a handful.

Not only do they have a solid attack, they have also brought in Jordan Henderson in central midfield. You would think this man was about to expire, but like his colleague in Sunderland, Granit Xhaka, they still had a little dry powder in their boots. Henderson has come in with his experience, and in several games has scattered around him with nice passes. Especially these long passes in the back against slow-footed attackers have proven to be an ever-so-small weapon so far. Brentford have composed an exciting team with a nice mix of experience and youthful enthusiasm.

Brentford have scored ten goals in their last three, conceding two. A couple of rounds ago they beat Manchester United 3-1, the round after losing to Fulham by the same numbers. It's hard to know where the chicken is kicking with Brentford, but the fact that the ball flies into the box can be taken for granted.

Conclusion – A historically purposeful settlement

The last six games between Crystal Palace and Brentford have featured goals from both teams. In the last three we have also had at least three goals scored. It is no secret that this was the direction I started to look in early on. But what do we choose?

Two goals to Palace? Both teams score? At least three goals? It is not always easy to predict these matches that are expected to be high-scoring. What we can do to reduce the risk a little is to avoid betting on goals for just one team. Because, these matches can swing either way. Both the home team and the away team have won big, and conceded a lot recently, so hitting the table with a firm conclusion here can be difficult. Because, can't this match end both 3-0 and 0-3? It almost seems that way - although not the most likely outcome.

Because here Palace are expected to want to fight back in the league after only one of the last nine points earned. The three goals against Liverpool probably tasted good, and both Mateta and Sarr will be at work next Saturday. Rest assured. The same will be true for Brentford's front trio. They have scored well with goals lately, but as we know, goals slip into the wrong end just as quickly. The two teams have alternated winning the last few games between them, and with both 2-1 and 3-1 between them we end up here again. It simply seems to be the most likely outcome, at playable odds. Maybe this is the match to try out a goalscoring game? Sarr with gunpowder smoke from his boot, and Thiago with several goals lately, seem to be possible candidates in that case.

England at 16:00: Crystal Palace - Brentford: Over 2.5 goals (1.77)

Alternative game

England at 16:00: Crystal Palace - Brentford: Over 2.5 goals + Both teams score (2.10)