The Gtech Community Stadium is set for an exciting clash as Brentford take on Sheffield Wednesday in the last 16 of the EFL Cup.
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Following a thrilling 4-3 victory over Ipswich Town, the Bees are eager to secure a spot in the quarter-finals. Their Championship opponents, Sheffield Wednesday, also come off a recent win, having edged past Portsmouth with a narrow one-goal margin.
Match Preview
Brentford’s recent form has been nothing short of spectacular, with the team consistently delivering high-scoring games at home.
Their recent match against Ipswich was a rollercoaster ride, where they came from 2-0 down to snatch victory in dramatic fashion.
This match showcased the resilience of Thomas Frank’s side, with Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa both contributing significantly to their attacking prowess, proving that Brentford’s firepower remains formidable despite the absence of Ivan Toney.
The Bees’ journey in the EFL Cup has also been marked by determination, having overturned a 1-0 deficit against Leyton Orient in the previous round.
Historically, Brentford have a strong record in this competition, and they haven’t exited at the last-16 stage since the 2010-11 season, a promising stat for their chances against the Owls.
In contrast, Sheffield Wednesday, who have also shown resilience in this tournament, have navigated their way to this stage with a series of impressive away wins.
Their victory over Portsmouth highlighted their ability to bounce back, with a comeback win that has placed them comfortably in mid-table.
However, the Owls have struggled against Brentford in recent encounters, with the last away victory against them dating back to 2015.
Form Overview
Brentford’s form in the EFL Cup stands at two wins from two matches, while they boast a record of four wins from their last five home games across all competitions.
Conversely, Sheffield Wednesday has similarly progressed with three consecutive victories in the EFL Cup but faces challenges in the league, only managing a mix of draws and defeats recently.
Team News
Brentford’s squad sees Mathias Jensen returning from injury, providing depth to their midfield. However, they will miss Kristoffer Ajer and several long-term absentees, including Igor Thiago and Aaron Hickey.
Given the strenuous nature of their last match, it’s likely that Thomas Frank will rotate his squad, allowing players like Kevin Schade and Fabio Carvalho to showcase their talents.
Sheffield Wednesday, on the other hand, faces more significant injury challenges, with centre-back Akin Famewo sidelined for several weeks.
Manager Danny Rohl has also confirmed that summer signing Olaf Kobacki will be out for up to two months.
The Owls will have to adjust their lineup significantly, especially without the services of Nathaniel Chalobah and right-back Pol Valentin due to a yellow-card suspension.
Brentford Possible Starting Lineup:
Valdimarsson; Roerslev, Mee, Van den Berg, Meghoma; Jensen, Konak, Trevitt; Carvalho, Schade, Yarmolyuk
Sheffield Wednesday Possible Starting Lineup:
Charles; Palmer, Bernard, Iorfa; Valery, Bannan, Charles, M. Lowe; Musaba, Windass; Smith
Brentford’s attacking depth and recent form could prove too much for a depleted Sheffield Wednesday side. The Gtech Community Stadium is in for a captivating encounter in the EFL Cup.
Brentford seeks to continue their cup run while Sheffield Wednesday aims to spring a surprise in this knockout clash.
Brentford has scored 4-3 over Ipswich Town in the last match.
