Brentford vs Tottenham: Can They Break the Curse of Head-to-Head Record?

It's an interesting matchup. Brentford are formidable at home, and Tottenham are weak away. But Tottenham have a dominant head-to-head record, winning 4 out of 5 games. On January 1st, New Year's Day, at the Gtech Community Stadium, can Brentford break the curse of the head-to-head record?

Brentford (8th)

• ●Season Record: 8 wins, 2 draws, 8 losses (18 games)
• ●Goals: 1.56 goals per game / Conceded: 1.44 goals per game / Goal Difference: +2
• ●Last 6 games: 2 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses
• ●Average Goals: 1.17 goals / Average Goals Conceded: 1.33 goals
• ●Last 3 Home Games: Undefeated (2 wins, 1 draw)
• ●Home Average Goals: 2.67 goals / Home Average Goals Conceded: 1 goal
• ●Last 12 Home Games: 58% Win Rate
• ●Last 15 Home League Games: 80% Unbeaten
• ●Last 15 Home Games: 7 games won by 2 or more goals

Brentford are formidable at home. They are unbeaten in 80% of their last 15 games. They score 2.67 goals and concede only 1 goal per game. It's also impressive that they've won 7 of their last 15 games by 2 or more goals. The Gtech Stadium is a real fortress.

Tottenham (11th)

• ●Season Record: 7 wins, 4 draws, 7 losses (18 games)
• ●Goals: 27 goals / Conceded: 23 goals / Goal Difference: +4
• ●Last 6 games: 3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses
• ●Average Goals: 1.5 goals / Average Goals Conceded: 1.17 goals
• ●Shots: 11.3 / Shots on Target: 5
• ●Last 6 Away Games: 5 games without a win (83%)
• ●Last 8 Away Games: 50% Loss Rate
• ●Last 16 League Games: 8 losses
• ●Last 22 Away Games: 8 games lost by 2 or more goals

Tottenham are struggling away from home. They haven't won 5 out of 6 games, and half of the 8 games were losses. Losing by 2 or more goals in 8 out of 22 games is also a serious problem. But with 11.3 shots and 5 shots on target, their attacking power itself is decent.

Tottenham won 2-0 decisively.

• ●Possession: Tottenham 53% vs Brentford 47%
• ●Shots: Tottenham 15 vs Brentford 4
• ●Shots on Target: Tottenham 7 vs Brentford 1
• ●Dangerous Attacks: Tottenham 67 vs Brentford 37
• ●25th minute: Richarlison's opening goal
• ●43rd minute: Xavi Simons' additional goal

It was a game completely dominated by Tottenham. With 7 shots on target to 1, it's not a game. Brentford couldn't create any chances.

Recent 5 Head-to-Head Records: Tottenham 4 wins / Recent 3 games: All won by 2 or more goals

The head-to-head record is really bad. It's a nightmare opponent for Brentford.

Brentford's Home Counterattack

Thomas Frank will have a lot to think about, as he has lost 4 out of 5 games against Tottenham. They are likely to play with a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1.

Igor Thiago will be the lone striker, with Schade and Lewis-Potter supporting from the flanks. Jensen and Janelt will be in charge of midfield, and Henderson will orchestrate the game based on his experience.

They are a team that scores 2.67 goals per game at home. They can certainly threaten the Tottenham defense. The problem is that they are particularly bad against Tottenham. They only managed one shot on target in the last game. They need to come out differently this time.

Tottenham's Away Challenge

Ange Postecoglou also needs to break the away slump, as they haven't won 5 out of 6 games. They are likely to play offensively with a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.

Richarlison will be the lone striker, with Kudus, Kolo Muani, and Xavi Simons moving from the flanks and center. Bentancur and Grey will be in charge of midfield.

They had 7 shots on target in the last game. The Richarlison and Simons combination worked well. They will try to break through the Brentford defense with the same combination this time as well.

It's a shame that Maddison is out with a long-term injury, but Simons can replace that role.

1. Brentford's Home Advantage vs. The Curse of Head-to-Head Record

Brentford have remained unbeaten in 80% of their last 15 home games. But they have lost 4 out of 5 games against Tottenham. Can the home advantage break the head-to-head record? The atmosphere at the Gtech on New Year's Day can give Brentford strength.

2. Richarlison vs. Brentford Defense

Richarlison scored the opening goal in the last game as well. Collins and Van Den Bergh have to stop Richarlison, but it won't be easy. Richarlison's movement is the core of Tottenham's attack. If they score just one goal, Tottenham will be at an advantage.

3. Tottenham's Away Mentality

Tottenham haven't won 5 out of 6 away games. There will be a psychological burden. If Brentford puts pressure on them early, Tottenham's mentality may waver. The opening goal is a really important game.

Brentford Home Trends

• ●Last 15 Home League Games: 80% Unbeaten
• ●Last 12 Home Games: 58% Win Rate
• ●Last 15 Home Games: 7 games won by 2 or more goals
• ●But last 10 games: 50% Loss Rate
• ●vs. Tottenham Last 5 Games: 4 losses (all of the recent 3 games were by 2 or more goals)

Tottenham Trends

• ●Last 6 games: 3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses
• ●Last 6 Away Games: 5 games without a win
• ●Last 8 Away Games: 50% Loss Rate
• ●Last 22 Away Games: 8 games lost by 2 or more goals
• ●vs. Brentford Last 5 Games: 4 wins (80%)

Conflicting trends collide. Brentford are strong at home, but particularly weak against Tottenham. Tottenham are weak away, but strong against Brentford. This dynamic makes it difficult to predict the result.

Brentford Absentees

• ●Kayode, Onyeka, Mbeumo, Carvalho

Tottenham Absentees

• ●Sarr, Maddison (long-term injury)

Brentford's midfield options are limited. It's a shame that Onyeka is out. Tottenham have Maddison out with a long-term injury, but Simons can replace that role.

Brentford (4-3-3)

• ●GK: Kelleher
• ●DF: Henry, Collins, Van Den Bergh, Hickey
• ●MF: Janelt, Henderson, Jensen
• ●FW: Lewis-Potter, Schade, Igor Thiago

Tottenham (4-2-3-1)

• ●GK: Vicario
• ●DF: Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence
• ●MF: Bentancur, Grey, Kudus, Simons, Kolo Muani
• ●FW: Richarlison

Predicted Score: Brentford 1-2 Tottenham

Tottenham win. The probability is 36%.

The head-to-head record seems to play a decisive role. Tottenham have won 4 out of 5 games, and the last 3 games were all won by 2 or more goals. Richarlison is likely to score the opening goal once again.

Brentford are a team that scores 2.67 goals per game at home, so they can create at least one goal. Igor Thiago can score from a set piece or a counterattack. But in the end, the most realistic scenario is that Tottenham will score an additional goal and finish 2-1.

Over 2.5 goals is likely to occur. Both teams' defenses are not perfect, and they have attacking power.

For Brentford fans, it's a game where they have to break the curse of the head-to-head record on New Year's Day. They have to prove that they are strong at home. Tottenham fans may be able to break the away slump in this game. They are confident against Brentford.

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