If pattern holds, neither is likely to score: Thiago & Gyokeres against their trends

Tonight's clash between Brentford and Arsenal (23.00) at the Gtech Community Stadium will be a duel of two London clubs, one of the most pleasant surprises in the current Premier League season and the table-toppers, but also the two elite goalscorers - Igor Thiago and Viktor Gyokeres.

And even though the two have combined for 25 EPL goals so far (the Brazilian's 17 + the Swede's 8), their scoring patterns aren't working in their favour ahead of tonight.

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Thiago has arguably been the greatest revelation of the ongoing EPL campaign, as he's currently the league's second-leading scorer behind the ruthless Erling Haaland, who has found the net 22 times. The 24-year-old joined the Bees in July 2024 from Club Brugge for €33 million, but nothing indicated that he'd pay off, especially after his maiden season in the English capital.

Truth be told, he was overshadowed by the merciless African tandem (Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa), and shone once they left and he got space to show what he knew.

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However, now we reach the aforementioned pattern. Namely, out of the 17 goals he netted this season, Thiago scored just one against London teams. It occurred last October against West Ham in Brentford's 2-0 win.

Since his arrival in England, he's faced London sides nine times, and the tally of only a single goal is rather subpar for his standards.

On the other hand, Gyokeres' situation is different, but not too much. The Swede has struggled during his maiden Premier League season with Arsenal, was criticized, at one point even lost his place in the starting XI to Gabriel Jesus, but his six goals and two assists in the previous 30 days hint at his improving form.

Nevertheless, six of Gyokeres' eight EPL goals this season came against the newcomers to the league - three against Leeds, two against Sunderland, and one against Burnley. He scored the remaining two against Nottingham Forest and Everton.

But, do Thiago's issues with Londoners and Gyokeres' troubles against the EPL "old hands" mean Keith Andrews and Mikel Arteta's defences have nothing to worry about? We'll see tonight.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 26

Tuesday

Chelsea - Leeds 2-2 (1-0)

/Pedro 24, Palmer 58 (p) - Nmecha 67(p), Okafor 73/

Everton - Bournemouth 1-2 (1-0)

/Ndiaye 42(p) - Rayan 61, Adli 64/

Tottenham - Newcastle 1-2 (0-1)

/Gray 64 - Thiaw 45+5, Ramsey 68/

West Ham - Manchester United 1-1 (0-0)

/Soucek 50 - Sesko 90+6/

Wednesday

Aston Villa - Brighton 1-0 (0-0)

/Hinshelwood 86 og/

Crystal Palace - Burnley 2-3 (2-3)

/Larsen 17, 33 - Mejbri 40, Anthony 44, Lerma 45+2 og/

Manchester City - Fulham 3-0 (3-0)

/Semenyo 24, O'Reilly 30, Haaland 39/

Nottingham Forest - Wolverhampton 0-0

Sunderland - Liverpool 0-1 (0-0)

/Van Dijk 61/

Thursday

21.00: (4.90) Brentford (3.60) Arsenal (1.75)

***odds are subject to change***