Brentford welcome West Bromwich Albion to Griffin Park in the first Championship fixture of this weekend. The Bees are hoping to capitalise on the sluggish start of those around them and close the gap on the top two. Whilst the Baggies are hoping that they can build on the Leeds United slip that saw them regain top spot last week.
Brentford Host West Bromwich Albion in Huge Weekend
Brentford and West Brom Usually Competitive
Brentford are currently fourth in the Championship on 63 points, just one point behind Fulham after beating them last week. They’ve now won back to back league games following a run of five games without a win. They were the only top-six side to pick up a win in the first round of games since lockdown.
West Brom returned to the top of the table last weekend, but only on goal difference. Their goalless draw at home against Birmingham City put them on 71 points and seemingly handed the advantage to Leeds, but they failed to capitalise. Albion are winless in three league games and have failed to score in each of those games. This is the first time they have gone three consecutive games without scoring since December 2017.
Recent meetings between these sides have been competitive. Both games at The Hawthorns finished 1-1 whilst Albion won this fixture 1-0 last season. The Bees will climb to within five points of the Baggies if they pick up all three points.
Team News
Thomas Frank will again be without winger Bryan Mbeumo after he tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of their first game back. Long-term absentees Nikos Karelis and Sergi Canos are both unavailable for this weekend too.
Slaven Bilić has no new injury concerns with his side having come out of their meeting with Birmingham unscathed. Chris Brunt, Gareth Barry, Lee Peltier and Jonathan Bond have all signed short-term deals that make them available for the remainder of the season.
Prediction
This weekend will have a huge say in the outcome of the campaign with the current top four facing each other. Brentford are unbeaten in ten of their last 11 league fixtures at home. Meanwhile, West Brom are unbeaten in 12 of their last 13 league fixtures away from home. All three meetings between these sides since Albion were relegated have been tight affairs. We expect another close game on Friday between the two top scorers in the division.
Brentford 2-2 West Brom
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