Manchester City made it five trophies in 2023 when they prevailed in the FIFA Club World Cup.
A 3-0 semifinal win over Urawa Red Diamonds set up a 4-0 thrashing of Copa Libertadores winners Fluminense in the final.
These obligations for the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League winners meant a change to their Premier League schedule — namely a new date for the home match against Brentford that was due to take place in December 23, a day after they faced Fluminense.
That means a change for the date of the league match against Brentford, which was initially due to take place the weekend before Christmas.
Here's all we know so far about when City's game with Thomas Frank's side will take place.
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When is Man City vs Brentford?
The fixtures for the 2023/24 Premier League season slated City to host Brentford on the weekend of December 23.
However, Club World Cup participation meant this was never practical.
Results in the third round of the FA Cup narrowed the Premier League's options. A midweek encounter on the w/c January 14 was ruled out after Brentford drew with Wolves and were forced into a replay.
Brentford host Wolves in an all-Premier League clash on January 5, with City welcoming Championship strugglers Huddersfield Town two days later.
City beat Huddersfield Town 5-0 and will face Tottenham in the fourth round. Any replays for that or Brentford's potential clash with West Brom will take place on the w/c February 5.
Incidentally, should City or Brentford draw in round four, their Premier League game at the Gtech Community Stadium would need to be moved from Monday, February 3 to Saturday, February 1.
Steering clear of that potential confusion, the Premier League have opted for one of the midweek where Guardiola's men are not playing in the Champions League Round of 16.
The holders were drawn against FC Copenhagen and the two legs will be held on February 13 (first legs) and March 6 (second leg).
UEFA prefers to have exclusivity during its matchweeks, meaning the Premier League would have to seek approval to stage City vs. Brentford at the same time as Champions League fixtures.
However, there are examples of such special dispensation being granted over recent years and Manchester City vs. Brentford will take place on Tuesday, February 20 at 7:30 p.m. local time (2:30 p.m. ET).
Man City vs. Brentford head-to-head, all-time record
Brentford fell towards relegation trouble after a dismal run of form over the closing weeks of 2023, but they have proved a tough nut to crack for the champions.
Frank's side have won two and lost two of four Premier League games against City and were the only team to complete the Premier League double over Guardiola's men in their treble-winning season.
There is notable context, in that Brentford hosted a much-changed City team on the final weekend of the Premier League season when they had already won the title and had an eye on the following week's Champions League final against Inter Milan. Ethan Pinnock scored the only goal five minutes from time.
The Bees' win at the Etihad Stadium earlier in the season feels far more significant.
Ivan Toney gave Frank's men an early lead in Manchester before a scorching Phil Foden strike levelled things at the break.
City wailed away at the Brentford defence without reward throughout the second half before Toney stunned them on the break with a 97th-minute winner.
Toney's ban for breaching the FA's betting rules expires on January 16, meaning he is likely to be available for both games against City this season, providing he does not secure a January transfer away from Brentford.
