(Football news) The Bees recorded an efficient 2-0 victory at Nottingham Forest on Thursday night, whilst Manchester United were busy demolishing Athletic Bilbao in the Basque Country.
Since a 2-1 defeat at the intimidating base of Newcastle United on April 2, Brentford have strung together an impressive four-game unbeaten streak in the Premier League, boosting their chances of finishing inside the top half of the division and potentially earning a European spot.
The Bees made it back-to-back victories in the top flight for the first time since February on Thursday night at the City Ground, where goals either side of the half-time whistle from German Kevin Schade and Yoane Wissa secured a two-strike success over Champions League-chasing Nottingham Forest.
After downing the Tricky Trees in the East Midlands earlier in the week, Thomas Frank’s troops are 11th in the Premier League standings with four games remaining of the 2024-25 campaign, just two points behind Fulham in eighth – a position that could be good enough for European football.
The West Londoners will need to take advantage of their remaining home matches if they wish to qualify for the continental stage, with the Bees netting a staggering 34 goals across 17 games at Gtech Community Stadium – only Liverpool (39), Manchester City (39) and Newcastle United (38) have scored more at their respective bases.
Largely responsible for making Brentford one of the highest-scoring teams at home in the Premier League, dangerous duo Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo have stepped up to the attacking plate following the summer departure of Ivan Toney, with the pair bagging a combined 35 top-flight goals this term.
On course for their worst domestic placement since returning to the top flight following relegation in the 1970s, Manchester United are taking comfort from continental adventures as a woeful 2024-25 campaign reaches its conclusion, with Ruben Amorim’s side putting one foot in the Europa League final on Thursday night.
San Mames was stunned into silence earlier in the week as Manchester United ran out 3-0 victors against the 10 men of Athletic Bilbao, meaning that the English giants would need to suffer an immense capitulation during the second leg of the semi-final clash to relinquish a spot in the European final.
Focusing on Premier League matters for the moment, Man United are currently in the midst of a five-game winless run in the top flight, last enjoying domestic success back on March 16, when goals from Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes sealed a comfortable victory at Leicester City.
Whilst the prospect of Europa League glory and consequential Champions League qualification is raising the spirits somewhat on the red side of Manchester, it is impossible to ignore the league standing of United, who are languishing down in 14th, only three points above West Ham United in 17th.
Not too unusual for a side milling about near the bottom of the Premier League, Amorim’s troops rank 14th in terms of away form this season, scoring 18 goals across 17 outings, with only Everton (12), bottom side Southampton (13) and Leicester (16) managing fewer strikes on the road.
Also read: Too early to say but Manchester United have set one foot in the UEL finals
