Manchester City finally appear to have put their woeful run of form in November and December behind them and they look set to put on a dominant display when they go to Brentford in the Premier League on Tuesday.
Since Christmas, City have beaten Leicester and West Ham in the top flight and hammered League Two Salford City in the FA Cup so there are signs they are getting close to somewhere near their best again.
After winning seven of their first eight home games, Brentford have slipped to two straight league defeats at the Gtech Community Stadium and they could be in for a tough evening against Pep Guardiola's rejuvenated side after they were also humbled by Championship side Plymouth Argyle at home in the cup at the weekend.
Half Time / Full Time - Manchester City / Manchester City - 6/4
Manchester City's shocking run of six defeats throughout November and December totally derailed their title defence and it looks like a top-four finish is now the best the champions can hope for this season.
They finally got a much-needed win at Leicester between Christmas and New Year and that result looks to have settled them down as Guardiola's men have since followed up with comfortable victories over West Ham in the league and, on Saturday, Salford in the FA Cup.
A trip to Brentford remains a tough test for any team in the top flight, though, and City will want to prove they are firmly back on the right track on Tuesday.
The Bees were outstanding in the early months of the campaign at home, only dropping points against West Ham in their first eight matches in front of their own fans, but they have recently lost back-to-back league games at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Those defeats to Nottingham Forest and Arsenal have damaged Thomas Frank's side's hopes of a top-half finish this term, while Saturday's shock home defeat at the hands of Championship strugglers Plymouth in the cup will have cut confidence levels further.
In City's three recent victories they have also been in front at the break and that pattern should continue on Tuesday night.
Phil Foden to score anytime - 13/8
Phil Foden has failed to follow up his exceptional 2023/24 exploits for City as the England man has struggled to find his best form.
Foden has only managed five goals all season - with just two of those coming in the Premier League - but after a difficult first half to the campaign, there is hope he will be much more like his normal self in 2025.
His two league goals have come in the last month against Aston Villa and West Ham and he should start on Tuesday against the Bees after he was named among the substitutes against Salford in the cup on Saturday.
Foden has had a total of 16 shots, seven of which have been on target, in his last six appearances to suggest he is warming up in the final third.
Christian Norgaard to be booked - 12/5
Christian Norgaard has been punished for fouls more than anyone else in the Brentford squad with the midfielder guilty of giving away 22 free-kicks so far in the league.
His tally is eight more than any of his colleagues so the Denmark international looks a solid selection to be cautioned on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old has been booked three times this season and was also sent off against Everton in November so is no stranger to being in trouble with the referee.
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Brentford - 4/1
Draw - 10/3
Manchester City - 8/13
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.