Keith Andrews is contemplating his team selection after Brentford’s 2-0 EFL Cup win against Bournemouth, compounded by their previous 1-0 victory over Aston Villa. The match allowed players like Frank Onyeka to shine, giving Andrews options ahead of their Sunderland match. Sunderland, managed by Regis Le Bris, were knocked out of the EFL Cup by Huddersfield Town, though Le Bris remains optimistic. Key players to watch are Eliezer Mayenda (Sunderland) and Dango Ouattara (Brentford). The match prediction leans towards a draw, considering historical data and current team form.
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews is facing a pleasant selection headache after his team's dominant 2-0 victory over Bournemouth in the EFL Cup. This win, coupled with their recent 1-0 triumph against Aston Villa in the Premier League, has showcased the depth and quality within the Bees' squad. Goals from Fabio Carvalho and Igor Thiago secured Brentford's place in the third round of the competition, but more importantly, it provided valuable opportunities for several players to impress.
Andrews utilized the EFL Cup fixture to rotate his squad, handing first starts of the season to players like Frank Onyeka, Kristoffer Ajer, and Aaron Hickey. These players seized their chance, delivering performances that have undoubtedly given Andrews food for thought ahead of their upcoming league match against Sunderland.
"We knew it’d be a tough test for obvious reasons; it was probably as tough of a draw that we could’ve got away from home against a very good Premier League team," Andrews acknowledged. He emphasized the importance of utilizing the squad, stating, "I wanted to utilise the squad this week because they deserve it. It doesn’t really surprise me, to be honest, it’s what I fully expected; a performance to make me think about things going into the game against Sunderland. There were some outstanding performances."
The Brentford boss also highlighted the physical demands on the players, especially early in the season. "Playing three 90-minute games in the space of a week was always going to be difficult for everybody to do so early in the season, and I think you could see the commitment levels and the togetherness of the group was there in abundance," he said. Andrews further added, "It’s a carry on from the other day [against Villa] in terms of that solidity and that selfless nature of how we played the game."
On we go pic.twitter.com/bYrFQ6RfDA
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) August 26, 2025
Meanwhile, Sunderland, under the guidance of Regis Le Bris, suffered a setback in the EFL Cup, being eliminated by League One side Huddersfield Town. The Black Cats lost a dramatic penalty shootout 6-5 after a 1-1 draw, with 19-year-old Milan Aleksic missing the decisive spot-kick. Despite the defeat, Le Bris focused on the positives, including a first goal for the club for Marc Guiu.
"It wasn’t enough to win the game, but we gave many players valuable minutes, so it is a positive for the future," said Le Bris. He also praised Guiu's contribution, stating, "It is important for our strikers to score, and tonight Marc got his first for the club. That gives him confidence and some key references he will need to build on with his team-mates. It is a good step for him." Le Bris also highlighted the performances of Nordi Mukiele and Arthur Masuaku, who he believes are now ready for Premier League action after gaining valuable minutes.
Looking ahead to the clash between Sunderland and Brentford, here are some players to watch:
Sunderland – Eliezer Mayenda
Eliezer Mayenda, who scored Sunderland’s first goal of the Premier League season, was rested during the EFL Cup defeat. However, his limited passing involvement raises concerns. Mayenda has made just three passes, completing two, which is the fewest passes and successful passes in a player’s first two Premier League starts on record since 2003-04.
Brentford – Dango Ouattara
Dango Ouattara, fresh off his best top-flight season (seven goals, four assists), made an immediate impact for Brentford, scoring the winner against Villa on his debut. Ouattara has the opportunity to make history, potentially becoming the first Bees player to score in his first two Premier League appearances for the club.
Match Prediction: Draw
Historically, Sunderland have struggled to maintain a perfect home record at the start of Premier League seasons. In their previous 16 Premier League campaigns, they have only won their first two home matches once, back in 2001-02 under Peter Reid. While Le Bris became the sixth of the last seven Sunderland managers to win their first home Premier League match in charge, only Gus Poyet in 2013 managed to win his first two.
This upcoming match will mark the 940th different fixture to have been played in the Premier League. The two teams last met in the top-flight in the 1946-47 season, with Sunderland winning both encounters. Brentford's away form in 2025 has been impressive, securing more away Premier League points than any other team. They have also dominated newly promoted teams, winning their last eight Premier League matches against them. However, Sunderland are winless in their last five meetings with Brentford in all competitions. Given these factors, a draw seems the most likely outcome.
Opta Win Probability
Sunderland – 33.2%
Draw – 28.2%
Brentford – 38.7%