Mbeumo likely to leave Brentford, but Norgaard sure they will move on

Brentford could lose Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa at the end of the season even if they qualify for Europe, yet captain Christian Norgaard believes the Bees will plan "two or three steps ahead".

Ahead of Saturday's trip to relegated Ipswich Town, Brentford sit ninth in the Premier League table and just a point behind Bournemouth in eighth.

If Crystal Palace do not win the FA Cup, eighth will almost certainly be enough for Europa Conference League qualification, with Thomas Frank's Bees in hot pursuit.

Brentford are unbeaten in five Premier League games, winning each of their last three against Brighton (4-2), Nottingham Forest (2-0) and Manchester United (4-3).

However, star attacking duo Mbeumo and Wissa have both been linked with exits after scoring 18 Premier League goals apiece this campaign, and Norgaard would not begrudge either player a transfer.

"I think Bryan is likely to go," Norgaard told Sky Sports. "I don't know about Wissa yet. Everyone hopes he might stay.

"Either way, I'm happy for the season and am happy for both of them. They deserve it so much."

Even if Brentford lose the duo, Norgaard expects them to continue to compete, pointing out they have successfully replaced big-name players in the past.

"I'm pretty calm about what will happen with Bryan and Wissa," Norgaard added. "A lot of questions are asked about them and you can almost feel the worries around the players, when you talk about them maybe leaving us.

"I was one of them when we were losing Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma, or Ivan Toney. So it continues. I think the club is so talented in recruiting and always being two or three steps ahead."

Ipswich fought back to draw 2-2 with Everton at Goodison Park last time out, with Julio Enciso kickstarting their comeback with a long-range stunner.

That led boss Kieran McKenna to rue the fact it took until January for the Tractor Boys – who are 15 points adrift of safety with just nine to play for – to sign him on loan from Brighton.

"He has an incredible showreel for a young player," McKenna said. "It is frustrating we've not had him for more of the season as he arrived late and had an injury pretty soon after.

"That individual quality which pretty much every team at this level has lots of can win you points and win you games, and Julio certainly has that."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ipswich Town – Julio Enciso

Enciso has scored two goals from his last 11 shots in the Premier League. 

His previous two goals had come from 82 shots, including a run of 64 without scoring at all.

Brentford – Yoane Wissa

Both Wissa and Mbeumo have scored 18 Premier League goals this season, with only Ivan Toney netting more for Brentford in a single campaign in the competition (20 in 2022-23).

Wissa has scored in each of Brentford's last four Premier League games – against Arsenal, Brighton, Forest and Manchester United – so he will fancy his chances of at least matching Toney's figure.

MATCH PREDICTION – BRENTFORD WIN

Ipswich have lost 12 Premier League home games this season, with their only victory coming against Chelsea in December. 

Only once have they ever lost more home games in a single league campaign at any level (13 in 1994-95).

That includes the Tractor Boys losing 10 of their last 11 Premier League home games (W1). They have lost each of their last seven at Portman Road, the longest home losing run in their league history.

They are big outsiders against a Brentford team that have won each of their last three Premier League games, netting 10 goals in the process. They last won more consecutive top-flight games between February and March 1939 (five).

Following their 4-3 win at the Gtech Community Stadium in October, Brentford are looking to complete a league double over Ipswich for the first time, and they have the greater need for the points.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Ipswich Town – 20.7%

Brentford – 56.5% 

Draw – 22.7%