Brentford host West London rivals, Fulham in a crucial Premier League showdown in the race for European qualification.
Victory would lift Brentford up to sixth in the table until at least Saturday evening, whilst Fulham can go ninth with a win for at least a few hours.
Team News
Kaye Furo is ruled out after he missed the Bees’ 2-2 draw against Everton due to a groin injury.
Aaron Hickey Is set to return for Brentford following his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Vitaly Janelt (metatarsal), Jordan Henderson (knock), Rico Henry (hamstring), Fabio Carvalho, Josh Dasilva and Antoni Milambo (all ACL) remain sidelined.
Fulham have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 2-0 loss at Liverpool, with Harrison Reed set to return from a knee injury.
Kenny Tete (foot) and Kevin (metatarsal) is still ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Brentford host Fulham at Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday 18 April at 12:30pm BST, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Brentford have claimed seven points in three of their last seven meetings against Fulham (W2, D1, L4).
- Fulham have claimed four points in their last three visits to Brentford (W1, D1, L1).
- Two of Brentford’s three Premier League matches at home to Fulham ended in 3-2 results – of which both teams took one win apiece, whilst the other clash at the Gtech Community Stadium ended in a 0-0 draw.
- Brentford have dropped eight points in their last four top-flight matches (D4).
- Fulham have claimed seven points from four away London derbies this season (W2, D1, L1).
Prediction
Having drawn each of their last four matches and especially after twice taking the lead against Everton, Brentford really need to find a win because if they had beaten the Toffees and Wolves in that run then they would of been sat in the top six on 51 points.
Instead they now still seventh with the chasing pack having now closed right in as just five points split them and 14th-placed Newcastle, so they really need to sort out their defensive quality because they’re more than capable of qualifying for Europe on attacking quality but need to add that defensive edge now.
Fulham meanwhile wasted a chance to beat a fragile Liverpool team and were just clinically outplayed, otherwise they would of been level with Brentford on 47 points and set up a blockbuster showdown here so a big improvement is needed as this is a chance to get right back into the European qualification mix.
I however do think that Brentford will have enough attacking firepower to win this battle if they can stop their 0-0 and 2-2 draws rotation, but Fulham have a solid record in away London derbies, so this will be close and there is also local pride at stake too.
Prediction: Brentford 1-1 Fulham
Result: Brentford 0-0 Fulham