Thomas Frank eyes third straight Premier League win against resurgent Everton
Brentford are looking to get their home form back on track as they welcome Everton to the Gtech Community Stadium on Wednesday evening. In the first half of this season, the Bees had the most Premier League wins (7), points (22), and goals (26) at home.
But since their first home defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest in December, Brentford have picked up just one point in five home matches, scoring only three times.
Despite disappointing results on home soil in recent weeks, Brentford’s away form has been superb, claiming victories in their last four trips on the road. They sit 11th in the Premier League and with a win against the Toffees, the Bees could leapfrog Fulham in 10th if the latter fail to beat Wolves on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, Everton are 14th, two points behind Crystal Palace and Tottenham. David Moyes’ side is also unbeaten in their last six, winning on four occasions.
Brentford team news
Frank confirmed Christian Norgaard will be absent on Wednesday due to a concussion he sustained against Leicester. The 51-year-old said: “He felt fine on the pitch. Got a little bit worse at halftime, so we unfortunately had to sub him off. Of course, it was not a great challenge, but you know that can happen.”
Aside from the long-term absentees of Igor Thiago, Josh Dasilva, Mathias Jensen, Aaron Hickey, Rico Henry, Sepp van den Berg, and now Norgaard, everyone else is available to play.
Brentford’s home form
“If we can get the home form from the beginning of the season, it’ll be great,” Frank said. “I think actually, we consistently perform well at home. I know we haven’t won in the last [five] games, but there were some good performances.”
The Dane picked out the Spurs game, where despite losing 2-0, he was pleased with his players’ attitude. “We just couldn’t score. We created a lot of opportunities, but couldn’t get it over the line.”
He continued: “We are a team that looks quite in sync right now, so hopefully we can keep producing … We need to perform again on Wednesday night against a very good Everton side.”
Their 4-0 dismantling of Leicester secured back-to-back clean sheets for the first time in the league this campaign. However, Frank was surprised to learn that Brentford are the only team in the league yet to keep a clean sheet at home this season.
When asked if they can build on this defensive solidity to earn a first shutout at home, Frank exclaimed: “That would be great! In the last four games, I think we have been looking really good defensively for various reasons.” Frank puts this down to their defending in the box, organisation, and counter-pressing.
The difference between Dyche and Moyes’ Everton
Frank faced Sean Dyche’s Everton at Goodison Park in November, playing out a 0-0 draw, but will encounter Moyes in the opposite dugout this time. “They are two managers I know well, I respect a lot. I think Dyche has done a very good job at Everton. Maybe in the end [they were] running out of energy a bit.
“Sometimes another good manager comes in with fresh eyes, new energy. In terms of style, I don’t think it’s changed too much. Maybe a little bit of change in personnel. It seems like [Jake] O’Brien is playing right back, [Jesper] Lindstrøm is playing more regularly as a right winger, Gana [Idrissa Gueye] is playing in the midfield. I think [Gana has] done brilliantly, by the way. He’s been really, really good for them.
“Everton is in good shape. David Moyes has done a top job. I expect a very, very difficult game on Wednesday night against them.”
Beto has been loving life in Merseyside since the Scot’s arrival. While only scoring one goal under Dyche, the Portuguese forward has netted five times in his last four under his new manager. On the team as a whole, Frank said: “Everton looked really threatening going forward the last couple of games, so that’ll be a good challenge. The way they put crosses in the box, the physicality they come with and their threat on set pieces as well.”
Both sides will be looking to break their own voodoos on Wednesday evening. The Bees have won none of their eight midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday) games since the start of last season, and have never won a midweek match at home in the Premier League. Everton on the other hand has failed to win any of their last 15 kick-offs past 7 pm away from home.
