Brentford

Brentford have suffered only one loss in seven league outings and remain unbeaten on their travels, having drawn all three away games while scoring five times. Hull are winless in their last five fixtures across all competitions and face significant selection issues with ten players out injured. Although Hull have drawn twice and won once at home, Brentford's flawless scoring record across all seven league fixtures gives them the edge to take at least a point.

Over 1.5 goals fits the statistical profile of both sides, whereas over 2.5 is difficult to back with equal conviction. Brentford have found the net in all six league fixtures this season, averaging 2.3 goals per game at home and seeing at least two goals scored in each of their last five matches across all competitions. Liverpool have conceded seven goals across six league matches and just conceded three to Manchester City and three to Lask Linz.

However, pushing for a third goal faces clear friction due to critical attacking absences. Liverpool are missing top scorer A. Isak, who has four goals, primary creator C. Gakpo, who has three assists, alongside H. Ekitike, D. Szoboszlai, and the suspended R. Gravenberch. Brentford are also without their leading scorer K. Schade and creator M. Damsgaard, while conceding just 0.3 goals per game at home. These missing attacking catalysts reduce the likelihood of a high-scoring blowout, making two total goals strongly supported while leaving a third goal uncertain.

Brentford have established strong home form this season, collecting seven points from three home fixtures while conceding only one goal and scoring seven. They remain entirely unbeaten in the Premier League with a 2-4-0 record across six matchdays. In contrast, Liverpool arrive with major selection setbacks down their central spine, missing top scorer A. Isak, primary creator C. Gakpo, D. Szoboszlai, and the suspended R. Gravenberch. Although Brentford are also without leading scorer K. Schade, the home side's defensive compactness on their own ground and positive recent head-to-head return at home, where they took four points from the last two league visits, gives them a strong probability of avoiding defeat.

Brentford enter this fixture undefeated in five league matches, having scored in every game to total ten goals. Aston Villa have struggled for consistency on home soil, dropping both of their home league fixtures while conceding three times and managing only one goal. The visitors also took a 1-0 win at Villa Park in their most recent league meeting in February 2026, making a Brentford result or draw the most probable outcome.

The evidence strongly supports at least two goals in this encounter, whereas three or more is harder to back. Brentford have scored in every single league match this season, averaging two goals per game overall and 1.5 on their travels. Aston Villa have conceded an average of 1.8 goals per league game and will be without key defensive figures including Matty Cash and Ian Maatsen. However, Villa have failed to score in three of their five league matches, meaning relying on a third goal introduces significant friction if the hosts struggle in attack once again. Backing the match to produce two or more goals captures Brentford's regular scoring and Villa's defensive leaks without demanding heavy output from an inconsistent Villa frontline.

Both teams have scored in every single Premier League match they have played this season, with Brentford scoring seven goals in four matches and Chelsea finding the net ten times. Chelsea have yet to keep a clean sheet across four league outings, allowing an average of 2.25 goals against per game. With attacking talents like Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers, and Kevin Schade in strong early scoring form, both forward lines possess the quality to breach the opposing defences.

Over 2.5 Goals — 72% confidence

Both sides have displayed notable offensive output in this competition, with Brentford scoring six in their previous cup fixture and Reading averaging 2.5 goals per game in the tournament. Additionally, 70 percent of the last ten meetings between these sides produced at least three goals, averaging 3.2 total goals per match.

Brentford or Draw — 77% confidence

Brentford come into this cup tie unbeaten in their last five fixtures across all competitions and dispatched Birmingham 6-1 away in the previous round. They have also dominated recent head-to-head clashes with Reading, winning each of the last four meetings. Covering the away win alongside the draw accounts for Brentford's recent tendency to draw while maintaining strong backing for their quality advantage.

These two calls are about different parts of the match (total goals and double chance), so neither one determines the other. The figure shown is the lower of the two — a combo can never be more likely than its weaker leg.

Both sides have displayed notable offensive output in this competition, with Brentford scoring six in their previous cup fixture and Reading averaging 2.5 goals per game in the tournament. Additionally, 70 percent of the last ten meetings between these sides produced at least three goals, averaging 3.2 total goals per match.

Reading have found the back of the net in each of their last four matches, including eight goals across their last two home fixtures. Brentford have conceded in four of their last five matches in all competitions while missing several defensive options such as N. Collins and S. van den Berg through injury, making goals for both sides probable.

Brentford come into this cup tie unbeaten in their last five fixtures across all competitions and dispatched Birmingham 6-1 away in the previous round. They have also dominated recent head-to-head clashes with Reading, winning each of the last four meetings. Covering the away win alongside the draw accounts for Brentford's recent tendency to draw while maintaining strong backing for their quality advantage.

Brentford enter this fixture unbeaten in the Premier League through three matches with a win and two draws, having conceded just two goals. In contrast, Bournemouth are winless in their opening three league fixtures, conceding five times and failing to keep a clean sheet. Historical matchups reinforce Brentford's advantage, as they have won seven and drawn three of their last ten encounters with Bournemouth, never losing across that span.

Brentford have started the campaign in strong form, remaining unbeaten through two Premier League fixtures with four goals scored and only one conceded. Their 3-0 home victory against Tottenham showed their ability to control matches on their own ground. Sunderland struggled in their only away fixture this season, falling 2-1 to Ipswich. Backing Brentford to either win or draw covers the most likely outcomes while accounting for Sunderland's recent bounce-back victory against Fulham.

Leeds maintain a strong head-to-head record on home turf against Brentford, remaining undefeated in their last five home meetings with one victory and four draws. Both sides kept clean sheets in their league openers, and six of the last ten head-to-head clashes have ended in draws. Backing Leeds to secure at least a point offers a well-hedged position.

Brentford have won three consecutive matches, scoring 14 goals across victories over Tottenham (3-0), Eintracht Frankfurt (7-0), and Rennes (4-2). While Birmingham are also unbeaten in their last five outings (two wins and three draws), Brentford's potent attack gives them the advantage to either advance outright or force the tie beyond regular time.