Brentford vs. Latics

Carabao Cup - Round Three

21 September 2021

Latics take on Premier League newcomers Brentford in the third round of the Carabao Cup tonight (7:45pm KO).

Last time out, 'the boys in blue' drew 0-0 with Hartlepool United at Boundary Park.

Keith Curle’s men will be looking to pull off a big upset in the Carabao Cup to reach the next (4th) round of the competition.

Form Guide

The Bees have made a solid start to life in the top-flight and can boast two wins in the league, whilst only suffering defeat once so far.

They were impressive on their Premier League bow, overcoming Arsenal 2-0 and they secured their second league win last time out at Molineux by the same scoreline.

This leaves them in an impressive ninth place in the Premier League and Thomas Frank’s side have certainly looked like they belong at the top level.

The Bees’ Last Six:

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-2 Brentford
Brentford 0-1 Brighton and Hove Albion
Aston Villa 1-1 Brentford
Brentford 3-1 Forest Green Rovers (Carabao Cup)
Crystal Palace 0-0 Brentford
Brentford 2-0 Arsenal

Cup Run So Far

One of the perks of Premier League promotion for the Bees is that they get to enter the Carabao Cup at the second round stage rather than the first and as such have only had to win once to get to this round.

They overcame Sky Bet League Two highflyers Forest Green Rovers 3-1 at the Brentford Community Stadium.

The Premier League outfit came from a goal behind and secured their place in the next round courtesy of goals from Yoane Wissa, Bryan Mbeumo and Marcus Forss.

Latics have overcome Tranmere Rovers and Accrington Stanley to make it to this stage.

Both ties were won via a penalty shootout with Curle’s side coming from two gaols down against Rovers and successfully holding Sky Bet League One side Stanley to a goalless draw.

Head-to-Head

Meetings: 55

Latics wins: 15
Brentford wins: 21
Draws: 19

For - 76
Against - 79

The last time that Latics faced up against the Bees was March 2014.

The sides played out a goalless draw at Boundary Park in League One.

The five previous encounters were all won by Brentford, with Oldham’s last success over their opposition coming in January 2011.

Goals from Oumare Tounkara and Filipe Morais were enough to give Oldham all three points in a 2-1 win.

Watch Out For

Ivan Toney may be the Bees’ goal scoring hero so far in the Premier League, but Marcus Forss is likely to lead the line in the Carabao Cup.

Marcus Forss.jpg

The Finnish striker started and scored in Brentford’s 3-1 win over Forest Green in the last stage of the cup and he will be hoping to prove himself further when Latics come to town.

The 22-year-old’s youth career began in his home country before he came over to join the ranks at West Bromwich Albion in 2012.

He joined Brentford in 2017 and had limited first team experience in the 2018/19 season before he left to get more chances on loan at AFC Wimbledon in the 2019/20 campaign.

An impressive return of 11 in 19 showcased the young forward’s talent and as such he was a regular fixture in the Brentford side that won promotion to the Premier League, scoring eight goals in the process.

He also boasts international pedigree, having represented Finland nine times to date.

Stadium

Brentford Community Stadium

Brentford Community Stadium.jpg

Capacity: 17,250

Opened: September 2020

Record attendance: 16,479 (v Arsenal, August 2021)

The Bees’ new stadium replaced the much popular Griffin Park, which had been their home since 1904.

In The Dugout

Thomas Frank is the man in the dugout for the hosts.

Thomas Frank.jpg

Danish manager Frank took has been Brentford boss since Dean Smith’s departure in October 2018. He had previously been assistant.

His tenure has been a huge success culminating in Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League.

He has also taken charge at Denmark national team youth sides as well as Brondby IF.

Match Officials

The man in the middle for the game is Simon Hooper.

Simon Hooper.jpg

His last fixture in charge of Latics arrived in April 2016 as we lost 2-1 away at Barnsley and he handed out zero red cards as well as five yellow cards.

He took charge of 24 games last campaign, handing out a total of 56 yellow cards and zero red cards.

Hooper will be assisted by Daniel Robathan and Robert Hyde, with Tom Nield the Fourth Official.

Sky Bet Odds

Brentford are heavy favourites to make it into the fourth round at 2/9.

Latics are 11/1 to win the tie in 90 minutes whilst the draw is 19/4.

Oldham have won both previous ties on penalties and they are 10/1 to do the same again this time around.

Please gamble responsibly by clicking here. For more information visit: www.begambleaware.org

How To Follow The Game

Live commentary is only available on iFollow Latics with Roy Butterworth and Michael Brown who will be talking you through the match.

Unfortunately an iFollow match pass stream isn't available in this competition.

For more information, visit the iFollow Latics page by clicking here.

Alternatively, supporters can also follow the game with live updates on the club's official Twitter account: @OfficialOAFC

Match Reports

Brentford 7-0 Latics

21 September 2021

The Carabao Cup run comes to an end in the third round as Latics are convincingly beaten by top-flight opponent Brentford who ultimately outclassed from the start.

Marcus Forss showcased his ability and class as he managed to net a first-half hat-trick with Yoane Wissa getting his name on the scoresheet as well as Raphael Diarra turning into his own net.

Forss added another early into the second-half before Wissa finished the rout with the best effort of the seven as Thomas Frank’s side comfortably progress into the next round of the cup.

The Head Coach manufactured three changes for the cup clash in the capital as he handed starts to Zak Dearnley, Jamie Bowden and Dylan Fage.

Latics endured a horrid start to the game as after just three minutes, the Bees were ahead. Carl Piergianni brought down Wissa, a summer recruit, inside the area before Forss confidently stepped up and slotted the spot-kick down the middle with the home fans erupting.

Shortly after, Frank witnessed his side double their advantage through unsurprisingly Forss. Once again, Wissa caused the backline endless problems before his curling strike cannoned off the post with the Finnish marksman exemplifying his clinical nature to tap into an empty net.

In the 38^th minute, the hosts extended their lead as the impressive Wissa found himself one-on-one with Jayson Leutwiler and the DR Congo international managed to keep his composure to slot past the ‘keeper.

It went from bad to worse for Keith Curle’s men as Sanam Ghoddos’ drilled cross hit Diarra inside the six-yard box before finding the back of his own net to his frustration.

Brentford inserted more dominance again just before the interval as Forss completed his hat-trick as Mathias Jensen produced fantastic vision as he somehow put the forward clean through on goal and he smashed past the goalkeeper.

At the break, the gaffer showed faith in our academy products as Harry Vaughan, Benny Couto and Vani Da Silva were all brought on and they had a fearless attitude throughout the second-half.

Couto produced fantastic work down the left-hand side which resulted in him racing through on goal and his excellent strike forced Alvaro Fernandez into a smart save to deny the promising youngster.

Forss picked up his fourth of the game as he contrived space inside the box before rocketing an effort off the crossbar and into the back of the net as he reeled away in celebration.

Bees substitute Mads Bidstrup nearly added another when Ghoddos laid the ball to him on the edge of the area, his initial effort was blocked before he snatched at his opportunity and smashed over the crossbar from inside the area.

In the 87th minute, Wissa completed the scoring as he produced a powerful overhead kick from inside the box into the bottom corner after a floated cross fell nicely into his path.

Brentford XI – Fernandez (GK), Thompson, Goode, Jensen ©, Forss, Wissa, Ghoddos, Onyeka (Bidstrup 71’), Zanka, Fosu (Stevens 71’), Roerslev (Peart-Harris 71’).

Subs: Raya (GK), Toney, Mbeumo, Ajer.

Goals: Forss 3’, 16’, 44’, 60’, Wissa 38’, 87', Diarra 43’ OG.

Oldham Athletic XI – Leutwiler (GK), Clarke, Piergianni © (Couto 46’), Whelan, Keillor-Dunn, Dearnley (Da Silva 46’), Fage, Jameson, Bowden, Diarra, Bahamboula (Vaughan 46’).

Subs: Danielewicz (GK).

Attendance: 12,819 (599 away)

Referee – Simon Hooper