Brentford vs Tottenham Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, Thursday, 1 January

Brentford will host Tottenham at the Gtech Community Stadium on Thursday, 1 January, in what promises to be an intriguing Premier League encounter. This match is crucial for both teams as they look to secure valuable points in the league standings. Brentford, known for their solid home performances, will look to use their familiarity with the Gtech Community Stadium to challenge Tottenham’s ambitions.

Tottenham, meanwhile, will be eager to assert their dominance and continue their pursuit of a top-four finish in the Premier League. With both teams showcasing contrasting styles, this match could offer plenty of excitement and tactical battles. These betting tips will provide insights into how each team might approach the game, considering their recent form and strategic objectives.

Brentford vs Tottenham Prediction & Betting Tip

Betting Tip	Odds
Over 2.5 goals	1.92

Given the recent performances of both teams, our recommended betting tip is ‘over 2.5 goals’ in the match. Brentford’s high-scoring home games and Tottenham’s average goals conceded per match suggest an action-packed fixture.

• Brentford have seen four or more goals in four of their last five home games, indicating their potential for high-scoring matches.
• Tottenham concede an average of 1.3 goals per game, making it likely that Brentford will find the net multiple times.
• Brentford score most of their goals in the final 15 minutes, which can contribute to pushing the total goal count over 2.5.

Betting Odds

Brentford are priced as favourites for this Premier League clash, with odds of 2.23 reflecting their strong home form at the Gtech Community Stadium. However, Tottenham’s odds of 3.1 suggest they are not to be underestimated, especially given their knack for pulling off surprises on the road.

Betting Tip	Odds
Brentford to win	2.23
Draw	3.5
Tottenham to win	3.1

The draw is also an enticing option at 3.5, indicating that bookmakers expect a closely contested match. For those looking at goal markets, both teams to score could be a smart play, considering the attacking prowess on display.

Brentford Analysis & Past Performance

Brentford’s recent form has shown a mix of resilience and inconsistency. Over their last five matches, they have secured two wins, including a convincing 4-1 victory over Bournemouth, but have also suffered two losses and one draw. This results in a win ratio of 40% during this period, while they have managed to score seven goals and concede six, averaging 1.40 goals scored and 1.20 goals conceded per match.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Brentford	Bournemouth	4 – 1 (Win)	Premier League	27 Dec 2025
Wolverhampton	Brentford	0 – 2 (Win)	Premier League	20 Dec 2025
Manchester City	Brentford	2 – 0 (Loss)	EFL Cup	17 Dec 2025
Brentford	Leeds	1 – 1 (Draw)	Premier League	14 Dec 2025
Tottenham	Brentford	2 – 0 (Loss)	Premier League	6 Dec 2025

Recent Form:

• WWLDL

Brentford have been particularly strong at home, winning four of their last five matches and drawing one, maintaining an unbeaten home record. Their home win ratio stands at an impressive 80%. However, their defensive solidity is an area of concern, having kept only one clean sheet in their last five games. Igor Thiago has been a key attacking threat, contributing significantly to their offensive efforts with 11 goals this season. Despite their mid-table standing at 8th position, Brentford must tighten their defence to capitalise on their attacking prowess and improve their standing further.

Brentford Suspensions & Injuries

Brentford will be without Joshua Da Silva due to knee surgery, though he is expected to return in early January 2026. His absence in midfield could impact Brentford’s ability to control the game, especially against a high-pressing team like Tottenham. Antoni Milambo and Fabio Carvalho, both sidelined with cruciate ligament injuries, are long-term absentees, but their absence will not heavily disrupt the current lineup.

Player	Reason for Suspension	Matches Remaining	Expected Return
Frank Onyeka	International Duty	1	Unknown
Dango Ouattara	International Duty	1	Unknown

The knock injury to Sepp van den Berg leaves Brentford with a potential gap in defensive options, although the starting lineup remains unaffected. This could limit tactical flexibility if further injuries occur during the match. Edmond-Paris Maghoma is also on the injury list, but his absence is less critical given the available squad depth.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Antoni Milambo	Cruciate ligament injury	Mid August 2026
Joshua Da Silva	Knee surgery	Early January 2026
Fabio Carvalho	Cruciate ligament injury	Out for the season
Sepp van den Berg	Knock injury	Doubtful

Frank Onyeka and Dango Ouattara are both serving suspensions due to national team commitments, reducing Brentford’s midfield options. With one match remaining on their suspensions, tactical adjustments will likely involve deploying Yehor Yarmoliuk and Vitaly Janelt more prominently to maintain midfield solidity. This situation could influence Brentford’s betting odds, considering the reduced squad depth.

Brentford Key Players

Igor Thiago stands out as Brentford’s top scorer, having netted 11 goals this season. His ability to find the back of the net will be crucial against Tottenham. Igor Thiago’s presence in the forward line, alongside Keane Lewis-Potter and Kevin Schade, provides a potent attacking threat capable of breaking down even the most resilient defences. His knack for being in the right place at the right time could prove decisive.

In midfield, Mathias Jensen is a vital cog in Brentford’s tactical setup. His playmaking abilities and vision are essential for linking defence to attack, while Vitaly Janelt offers a robust presence, disrupting opposition play and providing cover for the defence. Defensively, Nathan Collins and Kristoffer Vassbakk Ajer form a solid partnership at the back, with Rico Henry providing width and pace on the flanks.

Expected lineup for Brentford:

• Goalkeeper: Caoimhin Kelleher
• Defenders: Michael Kayode, Nathan Collins, Kristoffer Vassbakk Ajer, Rico Henry
• Midfielders: Yehor Yarmoliuk, Vitaly Janelt, Mathias Jensen
• Forwards: Keane Lewis-Potter, Kevin Schade, Igor Thiago

Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to be a key figure in goal, with his shot-stopping abilities likely to be tested against Tottenham’s attack. The tactical balance between attack and defence, spearheaded by these key players, will be pivotal for Brentford’s chances in this encounter.

Brentford Tactics and Formation

Brentford Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-3-3
• Key Forward: Igor Thiago
• Midfield Engine: Vitaly Janelt and Mathias Jensen
• Defensive Setup: One clean sheet in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: High pressing and quick transitions with a focus on wide play.

Brentford’s 4-3-3 formation is designed to maximise their attacking potential while maintaining balance in midfield. With Igor Thiago leading the line, Brentford look to capitalise on his scoring prowess, having netted 11 goals so far. The dynamic duo of Vitaly Janelt and Mathias Jensen in midfield is crucial for both defensive cover and initiating attacks.

Defensively, Brentford rely on the stability of Nathan Collins and Kristoffer Vassbakk Ajer in central defence, supported by the full-backs Michael Kayode and Rico Henry. Despite only achieving one clean sheet in their last five matches, their defensive setup aims to absorb pressure and launch counterattacks.

Offensively, Brentford’s strategy focuses on high pressing and exploiting the width of the pitch, with Keane Lewis-Potter and Kevin Schade providing pace and creativity on the wings. This approach is particularly effective in creating scoring opportunities during quick transitions.

Tottenham Analysis & Past Performance

Tottenham’s recent form has been somewhat inconsistent, with three wins and two losses in their last five matches. Their latest victory came against Crystal Palace with a narrow 1-0 win, showcasing their ability to grind out results despite having just 38% possession. However, defeats against Liverpool (1-2) and Nottingham Forest (0-3) underline vulnerabilities, particularly when facing higher-calibre opposition.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Crystal Palace	Tottenham	0 – 1 (Win)	Premier League	28 Dec 2025
Tottenham	Liverpool	1 – 2 (Loss)	Premier League	20 Dec 2025
Nottingham Forest	Tottenham	3 – 0 (Loss)	Premier League	14 Dec 2025
Tottenham	Slavia Prague	3 – 0 (Win)	Champions League	9 Dec 2025
Tottenham	Brentford	2 – 0 (Win)	Premier League	6 Dec 2025

Recent Form:
In their last five outings, Tottenham have averaged 1.40 goals per match while conceding 1.00, displaying a slight edge offensively. Their defence has been relatively solid, keeping three clean sheets. However, their away performance has seen them win just one of their last five trips, emphasising a need for improvement on the road.

Team Dynamics:

• WLLWW

Richarlison remains a key figure in attack, scoring seven goals this season, making him Tottenham’s top scorer. His contribution is vital given the team’s current standing at 11th in the Premier League. The team’s overall win ratio stands at 0.40, but away from home, it drops to 0.20, highlighting a potential area for tactical adjustments to enhance their away effectiveness.

Tottenham Suspensions & Injuries

Tottenham will be notably affected by the absence of key players due to injuries and suspensions. The injuries to James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are particularly concerning as they have been crucial to Tottenham’s attacking creativity. Their unavailability might force the team to rely heavily on Mohammed Kudus and Rodrigo Bentancur to provide the necessary midfield dynamism. Destiny Udogie’s potential return could bolster the defensive line, but his fitness remains uncertain.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Dejan Kulusevski	Knee injury	Late January 2026
James Maddison	Cruciate ligament injury	Early May 2026
Dominic Solanke	Ankle injury	Late January 2026
Destiny Udogie	Strain injury	Early January 2026
Lucas Bergvall	Groin injury	Early January 2026

With Pape Sarr and Yves Bissouma suspended due to national team commitments, Tottenham’s midfield depth will be tested. The absence of Xavi Simons, serving a suspension for a red card, further limits the team’s options in orchestrating play. This situation will likely lead to increased responsibilities for Wilson Odobert, who might be called upon to fill the creative void.

Player	Suspension	Matches Remaining	Expected Return
Pape Sarr	International duty	1	Unknown
Yves Bissouma	International duty	1	Unknown
Xavi Simons	Sent off	2	Unknown

These absences could compel Tottenham to adopt a more conservative approach, possibly strengthening their defensive setup to compensate for the missing attacking flair. Betting markets might see this as a chance for Brentford to capitalise, considering Tottenham’s depleted squad.

Tottenham Key Players

Richarlison stands out as Tottenham’s top scorer with seven goals this season, showcasing his ability to find the net with clinical precision. Known for his aggressive style and sharp movement, Richarlison will be pivotal in spearheading Tottenham’s attack against Brentford. His knack for being in the right place at the right time could be crucial in breaking down a resolute Brentford defence.

In midfield, Rodrigo Bentancur and Mohammed Kudus are expected to play significant roles. Bentancur’s defensive acumen and ability to control the tempo will be instrumental in dictating play, while Kudus’ creativity and flair in advanced positions can unlock the opposition’s defence. Defensively, Micky van de Ven and Kevin Danso will be tasked with maintaining solidity at the back, with their physicality and aerial prowess being key strengths in countering Brentford’s attacking threats.

Expected lineup for Tottenham

• Goalkeeper: Guglielmo Vicario
• Defence: Kevin Danso, Micky van de Ven, Djed Spence, Pedro Porro
• Midfield: Mohammed Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur, Wilson Odobert, Randal Kolo Muani, Archie Gray
• Forward: Richarlison

Tottenham Tactics and Formation

Tottenham Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Richarlison
• Midfield Pivot: Rodrigo Bentancur and Mohammed Kudus
• Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Strong defensive transitions and reliance on Richarlison’s finishing.

Tottenham’s 4-2-3-1 formation is characterised by a solid defensive base and a focus on quick transitions. With Rodrigo Bentancur and Mohammed Kudus anchoring the midfield, Tottenham can efficiently break up opposition play and initiate attacks. This setup offers a balanced approach, allowing for both defensive stability and offensive creativity.

Defensively, Tottenham benefit from the presence of Kevin Danso and Micky van de Ven in central defence, supported by full-backs Djed Spence and Pedro Porro. This backline has contributed to Tottenham achieving two clean sheets in their last five matches, highlighting their defensive resilience.

Offensively, Tottenham’s strategy often revolves around Richarlison, who leads the line as the primary forward. Supported by the likes of Randal Kolo Muani and Wilson Odobert, Tottenham aim to exploit defensive gaps with quick passes and Richarlison’s clinical finishing. Despite the absence of James Maddison due to injury, the team look to maintain their attacking threat with creative alternatives in the lineup.

Brentford vs Tottenham Head-to-Head Record

In their last 12 head-to-head encounters, Tottenham have dominated with seven wins, while Brentford have managed just one victory, and four matches have ended in draws. The most recent meeting saw Spurs claim a 2-0 win at home in the Premier League, continuing their strong form against the Bees.

The last time Brentford hosted Tottenham at the Gtech Community Stadium, the match ended in a 2-2 draw, showing that Brentford can hold their own at home. However, Tottenham’s overall head-to-head record suggests they have the upper hand, especially in recent Premier League fixtures.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Tottenham Hotspur	Brentford	2 – 0	Premier League	2025-12-06
Brentford	Tottenham Hotspur	0 – 2	Premier League	2025-02-02
Tottenham Hotspur	Brentford	3 – 1	Premier League	2024-09-21
Tottenham Hotspur	Brentford	3 – 2	Premier League	2024-01-31
Brentford	Tottenham Hotspur	2 – 2	Premier League	2023-08-13