Premier League Regular Season - 21
Brentford 3 - 0 FT Sunderland
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
30' I. Thiago (V. Janelt)
43' Igor Thiago
Trai Hume 45'
HT
↓ S. Adingra ↑R. Mundle 52'
↓ C. Rigg ↑E. Mayenda 52'
61' ↓ K. Lewis-Potter ↑M. Damsgaard
63' Vitaly Janelt
65' I. Thiago (K. Schade)
73' Y. Yarmolyuk (N. Collins)
76' ↓ M. Jensen ↑J. Henderson
↓ D. Ballard ↑D. Cirkin 79'
↓ L. Geertruida ↑D. Neil 79'
82' ↓ M. Kayode ↑A. Hickey
82' ↓ I. Thiago ↑R. Nelson
↓ O. Alderete ↑L. O'Nien 83'
FT
Player Cards
Season performance ratings for players in this match
Brentford
Goalkeepers
C. Kelleher 
PENALTY HERO
1
Pens Saved
1
Pens Saved
3
Saves
7.9
Rating
Defenders
M. Kayode 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
6
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
K. Ajer 
FRIENDLY FIRE
0
Mistake
0
Mistake
2
Fouls
6.7
Rating
N. Collins 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
1
Assists
37%
Pass Acc
R. Henry
PROVOCATEUR
5
Fouls Won
5
Fouls Won
6
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Midfielders
Y. Yarmolyuk 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
V. Janelt 
SWEEPER
3
Cleanups
3
Cleanups
2
Interceptions
1
Blocks
K. Lewis-Potter 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
61
Total Mins
61
Entry
M. Jensen
LATE SHIFT
14
Late Mins
14
Late Mins
76
Total Mins
76
Entry
K. Schade
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
1
Assists
18%
Pass Acc
Forwards
I. Thiago 
HITMAN
2
Goals
2
Goals
4
On Target
8.3
Rating
BENCH
H. R. Valdimarsson 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
A. Hickey
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. van den Berg
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
E. Pinnock
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Henderson
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
14
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Damsgaard
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
29
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Peart-Harris
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Donovan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Nelson
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sunderland
Goalkeepers
R. Roefs 
MAGNET
49
Activity
49
Activity
46
Passes
3
Duels
Defenders
N. Mukiele
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
4
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
D. Ballard
LATE SHIFT
11
Late Mins
11
Late Mins
79
Total Mins
79
Entry
O. Alderete 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
T. Hume
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
G. Xhaka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Geertruida
SWEEPER
3
Cleanups
3
Cleanups
3
Interceptions
0
Blocks
C. Rigg
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
52
Total Mins
52
Entry
E. Le Fee
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
S. Adingra
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
52
Total Mins
52
Entry
Forwards
B. Brobbey
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
7
Duels Won
1
Pens Won
BENCH
A. Patterson
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
D. Cirkin
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. F. Hjelde
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Neil
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. O'Nien
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Jones
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Mundle
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
E. Mayenda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
38
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Tuterov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17/02/2018 | Sunderland | 0 - 2 | Brentford | Championship | Stadium of Light |
| 21/10/2017 | Brentford | 3 - 3 | Sunderland | Championship | Griffin Park |
17/02/2018
21/10/2017
Brentford Win
Sunderland Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 21 GD: +26
P: 21 GD: +26
P: 21 GD: +9
P: 21 GD: +4
P: 21 GD: +7
P: 21 GD: +5
P: 21 GD: +4
P: 21 GD: +10
P: 21 GD: 0
P: 21 GD: -1
P: 21 GD: +3
P: 21 GD: -2
P: 21 GD: -1
P: 21 GD: +3
P: 21 GD: -6
P: 21 GD: -8
P: 21 GD: -13
P: 21 GD: -21
P: 21 GD: -19
League Standings
P: 24 GD: +29
P: 24 GD: +26
P: 24 GD: +9
P: 24 GD: +8
P: 24 GD: +15
P: 24 GD: +6
P: 24 GD: +4
P: 24 GD: -1
P: 24 GD: -1
P: 24 GD: 0
P: 23 GD: -2
P: 24 GD: -3
P: 24 GD: +2
P: 24 GD: +2
P: 24 GD: -4
P: 24 GD: -11
P: 24 GD: -11
P: 24 GD: -19
P: 23 GD: -19
AI-powered match analysis and previews to help you decide which games are worth watching
Thiago's Clinical Brace Punishes Toothless Sunderland
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 38/100. Brentford’s top-four ambitions received a significant boost as a clinical display of finishing and a heroic penalty save dismantled a resilient but frustrated Sunderland side.
The Thiago Show at Brentford Community Stadium
From the opening whistle, the Intensity was palpable as Brentford sought to maintain their blistering run of form. The breakthrough arrived in the 30th minute when V. Janelt carved open the visitors' midfield with a surgical pass, finding Igor Thiago, who slotted home with the composure of a veteran. Despite the early lead, the Balance of the match briefly wavered as Sunderland pushed for an equaliser, testing the Bees' resolve on multiple occasions.
Kelleher’s Defining Moment
The true turning point occurred just before the hour mark. With the Stakes incredibly high, the visitors were awarded a penalty, threatening to derail the home side’s momentum. However, Caoimhin Kelleher proved why he is one of the most reliable shot-stoppers in the league, diving low to deny the equaliser. It was a massive psychological blow for the Black Cats, who had looked dangerous in transition but lacked the final touch to match their 1.72 xG.
Closing the Door
Sensing the shift in energy, the Bees ramped up the pressure. In the 65th minute, Kevin Schade displayed exceptional vision to tee up Igor Thiago for his second of the night, effectively ending any talk of an Upset Factor. The rout was completed in the 73rd minute when N. Collins turned provider for Y. Yarmolyuk, who fired into the bottom corner to send the home fans into raptures. While Sunderland fought bravely, they were ultimately outclassed by a Brentford side that dominated possession (51%) and shots on target (6 to 3). This victory cements Brentford's position in 5th, while Sunderland remains stuck in mid-table purgatory.
Key Questions
Who was the Man of the Match?
Igor Thiago earned the honours with two clinical goals and a stellar 8.3 rating.
How significant was Kelleher's penalty save?
Vital. It prevented Sunderland from equalising and completely shifted the match's momentum in Brentford's favour.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.
The Battle for Seventh: A Premier League Six-Pointer
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 59/100. This is a certified mid-table clash where the winner secures the inside track for a European qualification spot.
The Setup
As we head into this January clash at Brentford Community Stadium, the Stakes couldn't be more evenly balanced. Both Brentford and Sunderland sit on 30 points, occupying the seventh and eighth spots respectively. The Bees have found a rhythm in their recent Form, picking up significant wins to climb the table. Conversely, the Black Cats have become the league's stalemate specialists, arriving in London off the back of a string of draws that has kept them in the hunt but lacked the clinical edge to break into the top six.
Key Battle
With no individual talismans dominating the headlines, the tactical Balance shifts to the collective units. The primary duel features Brentford’s high-intensity wing-backs against Sunderland’s disciplined low block. The Bees will look to exploit the wide areas of the pitch, stretching a Sunderland side that has only conceded 19 goals all season. If the visitors can withstand the initial aerial bombardment, their ability to transition quickly through the central channels will be the deciding factor.
Our Prediction
Brentford's home advantage is the statistical tie-breaker here. Expect the Bees to dominate possession early, forcing the Sunderland backline into desperate clearances. While the visitors are incredibly difficult to beat, the narrow Balance of probability favours a late breakthrough for the hosts. We anticipate a cagey affair that ends in a 2-1 victory for the home side, finally snapping the visitors' drawing habit.
Key Questions
Should I watch this match?
Yes. It is a rare meeting of two sides perfectly matched in points and European ambition.
What's the predicted outcome?
A 2-1 win for Brentford, leveraging their superior home win probability of 52.2%.
Where are Brentford and Sunderland in the league table?
Brentford are 7th and Sunderland are 8th, both on exactly 30 points.
What is Brentford's current form?
Solid. Their recent run (WDWWD) shows they are finding ways to win consistently.
Who is expected to win this match?
Brentford are the clear favourites according to the data, with a 52.2% probability.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.