Brentford will probably be relieved to be taking a break from their league duties this weekend, as they turn their attention to the FA Cup looking to end a five-game losing streak. They have at least managed to score a single goal in all but one of those encounters, meaning a cup run isn’t completely out of the question should they get their defensive line in order.
The Bees will welcome a fellow Premier League side in Wolverhampton Wanderers for this third round clash, a bad omen for the home side, since Brentford have failed to progress in 15 of their last 16 FA Cup ties against top-flight opposition. Facing Wolves will have the Gtech Community Stadium faithful extra nervous in that regard, having seen their side go down 4-1 against the same opposition in their last home outing.
That win extended Wolverhampton Wanderers recent dominance over their hosts, against whom they’ve now lost just once in the last nine H2Hs (W6, D2), although this is the first time they’ll meet in the FA Cup. Either side of that recent triumph sits impressive 2-1 and 3-0 wins over Chelsea and Everton respectively, hinting that after signing off for 2023 on a high, Wolves are just starting to hit their stride.
They’ll be looking to leverage their momentum in their 2024 opener and get past the third round – the stage at which they were eliminated last season. The four-time winners of football’s oldest cup competition, the last of which was in 1959/60, usually don’t see such negative history repeat itself, having last suffered back-to-back third round eliminations whilst being a top-flight side back in the 1973/74 and 1974/75 seasons.
Players to watch: In the absence of plenty of attacking talent for Brentford, Neal Maupay may get a chance to add to his two career goals and two assists versus Wolverhampton Wanderers, as well as extend his record of 16 straight games where his side on the day haven’t lost when he’s netted. As for Wolves, they’ll be looking to Matheus Cunha for inspiration, since the Brazilian has scored five of his last seven goals for the club away from home.
Hot stat: Eight of Brentford’s last 11 home fixtures saw both teams score.
