Match Overview

Brentford host Sunderland at the Gtech Community Stadium in a Premier League meeting with tight margins at stake. The Bees trail the visitors by two points and will look to leverage home advantage to respond to their defeat in the last league head-to-head. Sunderland arrive with renewed defensive confidence after recent clean sheets and a shutout at Manchester City. This matchup pits Brentford’s patient attacking patterns against Sunderland’s compact structure.

• Fixture: Brentford vs Sunderland
• Competition: Premier League
• Venue: Gtech Community Stadium
• Date: 07-01-2026
• Kickoff: 19:30 GMT / 19:30 UTC

Predicted Lineups

Brentford

• C. Kelleher
• N. Collins
• M. Kayode
• S. van den Berg
• K. Ajer
• K. Schade
• J. Henderson
• Y. Yarmolyuk
• K. Lewis-Potter
• Thiago
• D. Ouattara

Sunderland

• R. Roefs
• T. Hume
• N. Mukiele
• O. Alderete
• L. Geertruida
• G. Xhaka
• E. Le Fee
• N. Sadiki
• C. Rigg
• B. Brobbey
• S. Adingra

Injury & Suspension Report

Brentford

None.

Sunderland

None.

Head-to-Head

Across 14 meetings, Sunderland lead the series with seven wins, Brentford have four, and there have been three draws. Their most recent Premier League encounter on 30 August 2025 finished 2-1 to Sunderland. Recent clashes have produced goals, and both sides are familiar with pressure moments in this fixture.

Match Analysis & Prediction

Brentford’s recent form shows a mixed picture: two wins from five but seven goals scored in that spell. They are comfortable building pressure through patient circulation and can manage high-tempo contests, as seen in a goalless draw against Tottenham. However, lapses in defensive transitions have cost them against similarly ranked opponents. At home, the emphasis will be on controlling territory and creating clear chances.

K. Schade’s scoring form

K. Schade’s recent run across competitions adds a valuable threat from midfield, complementing Thiago, who has 11 league goals this season. With K. Lewis-Potter and D. Ouattara offering width and direct running, Brentford should be able to pin Sunderland’s full-backs and look for quick combinations around the box. The key for the Bees is efficiency: turning phases of pressure into high-quality shots while tightening up when possession turns over.

Sunderland’s defensive resilience

Sunderland’s compact setup has delivered two recent clean sheets and seven in 18 across all competitions, with R. Roefs a reliable presence in goal. Their 0-0 draw at Manchester City underlines strong organization and discipline. The trade-off has been output in the final third, with just two goals in the last five matches and difficulties breaking down teams away from home. If they keep distances tight in midfield with G. Xhaka, E. Le Fee and N. Sadiki screening the back line, Sunderland can reduce Brentford’s rhythm but will need sharper execution in transition to support B. Brobbey and S. Adingra.

Brentford aim to edge the fine margins

With only two points separating the sides, the contest likely hinges on small details. Brentford’s home support and a front line featuring Thiago’s movement could tilt the balance, provided they avoid the soft concessions that have hurt them in comparable fixtures. Sunderland’s recent stability gives them a platform, but their limited recent scoring suggests they may prioritize control over risk.

Prediction: Brentford 1-0 Sunderland.