Brentford v Man Utd: Eriksen to hit the target on Bees return

Bees buzzing after late Leicester comeback

Brentford grabbed a late 2-2 draw at Leicester last week, coming from 2-0 down in a result that's about as good as you could get without winning.

Thomas Frank's side will face plenty of problems in their second Premier League season after what was a fantastic debut campaign - especially without star man Christian Eriksen who will now line up against them on his return to west London.

Character won't be a problem for the Bees, who sit behind only Liverpool (21) and Spurs (17) in points won from losing positions in the Premier League since they arrived, with the point at Leicester being their 16^th.

Considering how flaky Man Utd still appear to be, in-play bettors may want to pounce on the hosts to get something even if the visitors take a lead at the lively Brentford Community Stadium.

Is Ten Hag up to the task at United?

Erik ten Hag impressed many during pre-season, but it was a worryingly familiar story at Old Trafford on opening day and the predominantly toothless manner of that defeat leaves them already as big outsiders among the big six for a top four finish.

The ease with which Brighton played through United will be a massive concern, and they'll need a huge rise in effort to match Brentford's endeavour and work rate in front of their own fans.

Cristiano Ronaldo's status will be the main talking point, with ten Hag already discovering that having such a global footballing colossus in his squad comes with unique pressure. If he again starts his superstar on the bench, he'd better get a result.

Boos all around Old Trafford at half-time

Not the start Erik ten Hag wanted... pic.twitter.com/VO1pxjMwrO

-- Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 7, 2022

Brentford look a dangerous opponent at this early stage, but United did beat them twice last season, scoring three goals each time, so Ten Hag will hope there's a stylistic advantage here that can give him some early breathing room.

Red Devils on rotten league run

You've still got Man Utd as even-money favourites to win this one, even though they're on a shocking run of five defeats in their last seven league games - with their only win being against Brentford at Old Trafford in May.

Showing the size of the task, Ten Hag could already set some unwanted statistical lows as United have lost three league games in a row, and haven't lost four since 1979.

It's also six away league defeats on the spin - with United last losing seven way back in 1936, while they've not lost their first two league games in a season since 1992.

Brentford are 3.929/10 to inflict what would be a huge defeat on United, while the draw might be well in play here at 3.55/2.

Going on last season and the start of this, neither team seems suited to tightening up much at the back either, so while you can see this one going either way, the only surprising result would be a 0-0.

It's not a big price, but a Bet Builder double of both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at around Evens looks like a pretty safe play in the outright markets.

Back Eriksen to have an impact on return

If Ronaldo plays then you'd expect him to have some sort of impact, but Eriksen will start on his return to Brentford, where he made such a remarkable return to football last season.

Brentford gave Eriksen a chance but he gave Brentford a huge boost during their mid-season lull, and in his United debut last week he led the team in shots (3) and chances created (3).

In fact, only Kevin De Bruyne (45) and Martin Odegaard (38) have created more chances than the Dane (33) since his Premier League return in February.

You can back Eriksen at 2.56/4 in the 'score or assist' market, which is a safer play than the 5.04/1 on him scoring - even though you wouldn't rule it out.

Another play I like here though is the 3.02/1 on him having two shots on target - as he did last week even in that inept display by the Red Devils.

Bet Builder options

Ivan Toney is the major threat for Brentford, with 13 league goals and five assists since the start of last season - including a goal last week at Leicester.

Toney is 2.26/5 for a goal or assist, but since he got eight bookings last season, and with a high-profile first home game of the season atmosphere - backing him for a goal or card at 2.111/10 may be a better avenue for success.

And given that atmosphere and the way both teams play, Scott McTominay at 3.7511/4 looks a great play to be shown a card - as he was last week.

The Scottish midfielder could easily have seen red last week, but that won't stop him from flying into tackles this week and between the pair of them they offer a nice Bet Builder double option here.

In a game that you could easily make a case for all three match results - heading the player props route could be the safest option.