Brentford v Manchester United Betting Tips [19 January 2022]

Brentford host Manchester United in this rescheduled Premier League matchday 17 fixture as both teams will be looking to bounce back from disappointing results. The visitors come into this match after a 2-2 draw away to Aston Villa, a match in which they squandered a two goal lead in the final 15 minutes. United currently sit seventh in the table with 32 points and trail the top four positions by five points, although with two games in hand over West Ham. Brentford will be glad to return back home after suffering consecutive heavy defeats away from home. They followed up a 4-1 thumping at the hands of Southampton with an uninspiring 3-0 loss to Liverpool, a match in which the Bees posed very little threat. The home side have had a solid return to life in the first division and, barring a disastrous run of form in the second half of the season, look set to consolidate their position in the Premier League.

Since the appointment of interim manager Ralf Rangnick, Manchester United have been solid although certainly not spectacular. The influential German has a record of four wins, three draws and one defeat since taking charge in the beginning of December but given the ease of United’s schedule, fans might have been expecting slightly better results. Three of Rangnick’s first eight matches have come against the current relegation zone teams. Brentford will be hoping that their improved home defensive performances are able to continue against a United side that has been good when playing away from Old Trafford. The hosts have conceded 21 goals away from home but only 12 times at home and have won four matches at the Brentford Community Stadium compared to just two away this season. United have earned an equal number of home and away points - winning five, drawing one and losing four on their travels in the league.

These are two sides that have been trending towards goals recently so we’re going to back both teams to get on the score sheet. United have been impressive going forward while away and Brentford should put in an improved performance here. It’s a tough one to call on the 1X2 line but we could ultimately see United edging this one 2-1.