Everton host Brentford with both clubs eyeing early European qualification, and the contest carries extra intrigue around David Moyes’ praise for Thierno Barry and Keith Andrews’ belief in Mikkel Damsgaard.
Recent form, individual performances and a statistical edge all suggest a tight Premier League meeting at Goodison Park.
Moyes has linked Barry’s progress with Romelu Lukaku’s prolific spell on Merseyside, after Barry struck during Everton’s 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest. Before that match, Barry watched footage of Lukaku’s goals for Everton and set a personal target to repeat that impact in front of the Goodison crowd.
Brentford sit one point and one place below Everton in the Premier League table, leaving both sides within early reach of the European positions. The Bees extended an unbeaten league run to three matches on 1 January, when Andrews’ side held Tottenham to a 0-0 draw, strengthening their confidence before travelling to Goodison Park.
Barry’s improvement has been sudden. The forward failed to score from the first 15 shots of this Premier League campaign, yet has now converted two of the last three attempts, both against Forest. Lukaku’s benchmark remains high, with 68 goals and 23 assists in 141 league appearances for Everton.
Moyes has urged Barry to maintain this new level. "It's a great idea if he keeps scoring, that's for sure, joked Moyes. Let's be fair, if he does anything like what Lukaku did in this country, or even for Everton, we'll be highly delighted, that's for sure. He got another goal for us in midweek and worked hard for us, so we're pleased about that. "
Let us know in the comments, Blues! pic.twitter.com/ISi5EptFCkEverton (@Everton) January 1, 2026
Andrews is placing similar attention on Damsgaard, who Brentford want closer to goal. "Dams [Mikkel Damsgaard] is someone I rate very, very highly, said Andrews. At times this season we havent found him in the right areas where he can be as effective as we know he can be, but thats only a matter of time as we start to evolve and have more control. With the competition for places we have, Im always quick to compliment the strength of the squad in general. The players push each other on a day-to-day basis. Our training sessions have an edge and competitive streak that is match-like. Any player that wants to get back in the team has to show that level in training, and Dams falls into that category. "
Keith Andrews' squad update ahead of Sunday's trip to EvertonBrentford FC (@BrentfordFC) January 2, 2026
While Damsgaard seeks a breakthrough, Igor Thiago carries Brentford’s main away threat. Thiago scored in each of his first three away matches in all competitions this season, but has since registered only two goals across the following seven trips. Brentford will hope for another decisive display on the road.
Everton vs Brentford key players and defensive records
At the other end, Jordan Pickford provides Everton with security. Only Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, with nine, has more Premier League clean sheets this season than Pickford’s eight. All of Everton’s last five league victories have come without conceding, underlining the importance of defensive stability for Moyes’ team.
Everton’s home form shows mixed signs before Brentford’s visit. Moyes’ side have alternated between victory and defeat across their last six league games at Goodison Park, with three wins and three losses. The most recent home outing ended in a 1-0 defeat against Arsenal, adding pressure to respond strongly.
However, Everton have not suffered back-to-back home defeats in the Premier League since the period between December and January last season. Brentford’s away record may help Everton, as only bottom side Wolves have lost more away league fixtures this season. The Bees have been beaten seven times on their travels.
Everton vs Brentford historical trends and win probabilities
Brentford’s seven away defeats are only one fewer than the club recorded during the entire 2024-25 league campaign. Everton do face a different historical issue, having lost the first league match of the calendar year in seven of the last eight years, drawing the other. Their last such win came against Southampton in 2017.
Moyes’ head-to-head record against Brentford in the Premier League is also mixed. Moyes has lost five of seven league meetings, yet the last two fixtures brought improvement, featuring a 4-2 win with West Ham in February 2024, followed by a 1-1 draw with Everton against Brentford in February 2025.
Overall indicators lean toward a narrow Everton success, reflected in the match prediction of an Everton win and Opta’s higher win probability for the hosts. With Barry gaining confidence, Pickford in strong form and Brentford dangerous but inconsistent away, both clubs approach this contest with realistic ambitions of strengthening their European push.
