Tottenham Hotspur vs Brentford FC a battle of contrasting styles

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LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: Sergio Reguilon of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring his teams second goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 21, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) /

Tottenham Outside vs Brentford Inside

More than any team Tottenham has faced this season, Brentford likes to push the ball and attack up the middle of the pitch. With Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo up top, Brentford can hit you over the top and through the middle as well as any team in the league.

Although Toney only has four goals thus far this season – Kane only has 1 in the League – Ivan did have 31 last season in the Championship. Expect to see balls whether from Pontus Jansson in the midfield or Rico Henry and Sergi Canos out wide, to be hit early and often toward Mbeumo and Toney as well as into space for the duo to chase.

If you compare this to how Tottenham is likely to approach the match, we again have a big contrast. Spurs are going to try to keep possession and knock it is around. However, where Tottenham is most likely to make real progress and have some success attacking Brentford is in the wide areas.

As the Bees try to crowd the middle and sneak passes through, Spurs are going to have to push Emerson Royal and Sergio Reguilon up the pitch to really force the action. The idea is to use the wing-backs to get the outside centre-backs in Brentford’s back three off their spots to create space for Heung-Min Son, Harry Kane, and Lucas Moura.

Ideally, having two wide players on both sides will stretch Brentford defensively and provide space for Spurs’ more detailed passing game and the opportunities they have been lacking. Likewise, some service from the wings into the box would sure help the cause in Spurs 3-4-3 formation.