Brentford vs Tottenham Hotspur Predictions

• Tottenham’s pre-season games have averaged 5.75 goals-per-game.
• Brentford scored in six of their final seven league games last season.
• These two sides played out a 2-2 draw in Brentford last term.

A tale of two strikers

Tottenham herald in a new era on Sunday and, unfortunately for new manager Ange Postecoglou, that era is almost certain to be one without Harry Kane.

Bayern Munich have agreed a fee for the England captain and, barring a dramatic U-turn from Kane, one of the Premier League’s best strikers will finally part ways with Spurs this summer.

Spurs aren’t the only side facing life without their talisman, either, with Brentford beginning the season without the suspended Ivan Toney and just hoping to make ends meet before his return in January.

Expect goals in Brentford

Despite the absence of two of last season’s top scorers, I expect Sunday to start with plenty of goals thanks to Postecoglou’s adventurous setup.

His four pre-season games in charge have produced a massive 23 goals in total and all of them have featured at least five goals. His Celtic side saw 29 of their 38 league games go over 2.5 goals last season and the early signs suggest that Tottenham could be a neutral-friendly side this term.

Brentford scored in six of their final seven games last season and have the attacking credentials to trouble the porous Spurs back line, even without Toney, so over 2.5 goals stands out as a great pick.

Richarlison to lead the line for Postecoglou

One player who could find themselves rewarded by Kane’s departure is Richarlison, who will likely be employed through the middle at the start of the season. He scored twice against Lion City Sailors in pre-season and did chip in with nine goals in his first season at Spurs, so he could be good value in the anytime goalscorer market.

I do expect Spurs to be a bit rattled by Kane’s departure, though, and a win could be a stretch too against a solid Bees outfit. These two sides drew 2-2 in Middlesex last season and Brentford have drawn three of their five pre-season games, so a 2-2 correct score prediction appeals.

Build better bets with our free betting tips, predictions and accumulators, every day.