Colchester United vs Brentford Match Analysis and Prediction

2 years ago 272

Colchester United will face Brentford in the second round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday, with the two clubs having met since April 2014, when Cochester won 4-1.

Thw two clubs have gone on very different courses within those following eight years, with Colchester languishing in the bottom-half of League Two and Brentford competing in the Premier League.

Following a late season surge under the leadership of Wayne Brown, who guided them away from relegation danger, Colchester look like they could be set for another tricky campaign ahead of them.

Three defeats from their opening five league matches has not been the start Brown would have wanted to make, although the fanbase and himself alike would have taken great pleasure from defeating their nearest rivals in the first round of this competition to set up a home tie with Brentford.

While remaining in the Football League is the club’s priority this season, a cup run is always a welcome distraction for any team, with the opportunity of knocking out a top-flight side certain to motivate any group of players.

After beating Manchester United 4-0, Brentford were brought back down to earth with a 3-2 defeat against their west London rivals Fulham on Saturday.

They impressively fought back from two goals down to look like claiming a crucial away point, but Aleksandar Mitrovic converted his last-gasp header to condemn the Bees into defeat.

With four points from the opening three game representing a decent building block following comfortably avoiding any relegation threat in their debut Premier League season, Thomas Frank cannot be too gready, while he is likely to be targeting a cup run this time round.

Brentford reached the semi-final of the EFL Cup as a Championship side two seasons ago, and Frank will be demanding his side avoid any embarrassment on Tuesday.

Colchester United vs Brentford head to head

The two teams have previously met on 24 occasions in League One, where Colchester have claimed four victories while Brentford have won 12, and they have drawn in eight. Colchester have scored 25 goals and conceded 36. In their last five meetings, Colchester have won two while Brentford have won three.

Colchester United 2-1 Brentford 14/02/22

Brentford 1-0 Colchester United 08/09/12

Colchester United 1-3 Brentford 26/12/12

Brentford 3-1 Colchester United 19/10/13

Colchester United 4-1 Brentford 26/04/14

Colchester United latest home form

Colchester United have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having won just one of their seven most recent matches. They lost 3-1 to Leyton Orient in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded seven.

Colchester United 0-1 Millwall 15/07/22

Colchester United 2-2 Southend United 19/07/22

Colchester United 1-1 Carlisle United 06/08/22

Colchester United 1-0 Bradford City 16/08/22

Colchester United 1-3 Leyton Orient 20/08/22

Colchester United latest away form

Colchester United have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just two of their six most recent matches. They lost 1-0 to Stockport County in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded seven.

Bath City 1-3 Colchester United 06/07/22

Ebbsfleet United 2-2 Colchester United 23/07/22

Northampton Town 3-2 Colchester United 30/07/22

Ipswich Town 0-1 Colchester United 09/08/22

Stockport County 1-0 Colchester United 13/08/22

Brentford latest home form

Brentford have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They managed to defeat Manchester United 4-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 11 goals and conceded four.

Brentford 3-0 Southampton 07/05/22

Brentford 1-2 Leeds United 22/05/22

Brentford 2-2 Strasbourg 19/07/22

Brentford 1-0 Real Betis 30/07/22

Brentford 4-0 Manchester United 13/08/22

Brentford latest away form

Brentford have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just one of their five most recent matches. They lost 3-2 to Fulham in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded 11.

Stuttgart 2-1 Brentford 16/07/22

Wolfsburg 4-0 Brentford 23/07/22

Brighton & Hove Albion 0-1 Brentford 26/07/22

Leicester City 2-2 Brentford 07/08/22

Fulham 3-2 Brentford 20/08/22

Colchester United news

Colchester United will take to the pitch without captain Tommy Smith due to a foot injury, while midfielder Emyr Huws is likely to remain out of action until October with an ankle issue.

Brown fielded a strong team in the previous round away to Ipswith, with Cole Skuse set to provide experience in midfielder.

Brentford news

Brentford remain without Ethan Pinnock until potentially mid-December with a serious knee injury, while Sergi Canos and Kristoffer Ajer remain doubts with muscle strains.

Keane Lewis-Potter should start for the first time having come off the bench at Fulham on Saturday, with goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha set to make his debut for the club.

Prediction and Odds

Colchester United will fancy their home advantage and will look to cause another upset in this competition.

However, Brentford have added to their squad well this summer and should have the firepower to egde past their League Two opponents, especially with Frank having quality options to call upon from the substitutes’ bench if required.

Odds: 1 2.30 X 2.05 2 2.22