Brentford welcome Swansea City to Griffin Park in a huge Boxing Day clash in the Sky Bet Championship.
Only goal difference currently separate both teams in sixth and seventh respectively and victory could send either team as high as third, although Swansea would leapfrog the Bees if they take the three points.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesPontus Jansson could return for Brentford after missing Saturday’s draw at West Brom with a minor hip injury.
Sergio Canos and Nikos Karelis are still ruled out with knee injuries but Joel Valencia is in contention to return after a lengthy spell sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Swansea will hand loanees – Ben Wilmot and Sam Surridge late fitness tests due to suffering from muscle tightness.
Joe Rodon (ankle) and Jordan Garrick (hamstring) are still sidelined until next month.
Form
Brentford have taken ten points from their last five games (W3, D1, L1) and are on a four match winning home run, with three clean sheets collected in their last four at Griffin Park.
Swansea are unbeaten in their last three outings (W2, D1) despite keeping just one clean sheet in their last nine – coming last time out at Luton, whilst taking eight points from their last five away trips (W2, D2, L1).
Stat Attack
- Brentford have avoided defeat in just two of their last ten meetings with Swansea in all competitions (W1, D1, L8).
- Swansea have scored at least twice in each of their last three trips to Griffin Park.
- Brentford haven’t done the league double over Swansea since the 1975-76 season in the old Fourth Division.
Prediction
This is a huge game for the promotion hopes of both teams which is only made tougher by their similar form in recent weeks.
Brentford probably need this more because it is traditionally around now when they start to find their momentum if want to finally push for promotion again, and they have been difficult to beat at home in recent weeks which will be of huge concern for Swansea.
The form book however suggests that the Swans will win here but Griffin Park has been a brutal ground for teams to get a result at this season, which is why I am going for a home win.
Prediction: Brentford 2-1 Swansea
Result: Brentford 3-1 Swansea