Still searching for their first victory at the Gtech Community Stadium since 2024, Brentford battle Brighton & Hove Albion in Saturday's mid-table Premier League fixture in West London.
Both sides accepted a share of the spoils in their most recent matches, as the Bees fought back to deny Arsenal all three points in a 1-1 derby draw, while Fabian Hurzeler's men miserably threw away two points against doomed Leicester City in a 2-2 stalemate.
Match preview
© Imago
Sensing an opportunity to put another dent in Arsenal's failing title bid, Brentford rocked up to the Emirates in between the Gunners' two colossal Champions League quarter-final ties with Real Madrid, and unsurprisingly squared up to a much-changed Mikel Arteta side.
However, the Bees were undone by a lightning-quick counter-attack just past the hour mark, where makeshift right-back Thomas Partey made the roof of the net bulge, but up stepped Yoane Wissa to bag Premier League goal number 15 for the season in front of the away end.
Wissa's hooked finish was a landmark one, as it made Brentford the first team to have two players net 15 goals in the 2024-25 top flight - Bryan Mbeumo is one ahead on 16 - but the deadly double act have still not been able to inspire a single home win in 2025.
Indeed, a side who were formerly the best in the land on their own patch have now failed to win any of their last nine matches at the Gtech Community Stadium in all tournaments, a shocking streak that has prevented the 11th-placed hosts from making a sustained charge for Europe.
To put the Bees' atrocious home form into even greater perspective, Frank's men have only scored a meagre four goals during their nine-match winless run at the Gtech, the same amount they managed in 90 minutes during their last victory in front of their own fans, a 4-2 success versus Newcastle United on December 7.
© Imago
Four goals were coincidentally on the menu when Brighton welcomed Leicester to their Amex home last weekend, where Hurzeler's men at least managed to snap a three-game losing run across all tournaments, but the draw no doubt felt as bad as a defeat for the Seagulls faithful.
Twice Joao Pedro scored from the penalty spot to give Brighton the lead, and twice a previously shot-shy Leicester responded through Stephy Mavididi and Caleb Okoli, as Ruud van Nistelrooy's side ended an eight-game Premier League goal drought on the South Coast.
Also mourning their dreams of FA Cup glory after a penalty-shootout loss to Nottingham Forest, a year that started with so much promise for Brighton is now in danger of drawing to a miserable conclusion, as the Seagulls sit six points adrift of the top seven.
Repeated failures to keep the back door closed are proving fatal for Hurzeler's side, who have conceded at least twice in each of their last four Premier League games; not since March 2022 have they had a longer consecutive run of shipping multiple goals.
On the flip side, Brighton and Brentford have played out back-to-back 0-0 draws in their last two top-flight clashes, meaning that this fixture could become just the fifth in Premier League history to end goalless three times in a row, and the first since Charlton Athletic vs. Middlesbrough back in 2002.
Team News
© Imago
No fresh fitness concerns arose for Brentford at the Emirates, where Gustavo Nunes made a substitute appearance following a troublesome back injury, but at the same time, no injured players should return.
Aaron Hickey (thigh) and Igor Thiago (knee) are making progress but are still a fair bit away from first-team action, while Fabio Carvalho (shoulder) and Josh Dasilva (knee) are still missing.
The bulk of the XI that started at the Emirates will be retained, but Michael Kayode played a key part in Wissa's goal vs. Arsenal and is in contention to take Kristoffer Ajer's place at right-back.
As for Brighton, the Seagulls' slump can be partially explained by their fitness crisis, as all of James Milner (thigh), Joel Veltman (ankle), Tariq Lamptey (ankle), Ferdi Kadioglu (toe), Adam Webster (thigh), Georginio Rutter (ankle) and Igor Julio (thigh) are still missing.
Jason Steele (shoulder) and Kaoru Mitoma (heel) are both back in the first-team picture, though, and Hurzeler will receive another boost in the shape of Jan Paul van Hecke's return from suspension.
The 24-year-old will no doubt slot straight back into central defence, thus pushing Carlos Baleba back into his favoured midfield role after the much-coveted 21-year-old was forced to deputise alongside Lewis Dunk last weekend.
Brentford possible starting lineup:
Flekken; Kayode, Collins, Van den Berg, Lewis-Potter; Janelt, Norgaard; Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Schade; Wissa
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Verbruggen; Hinshelwood, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck
Match odds from our partners Talksport Bet
Correct at time of writing, check before placing any bet
Welcome offer: Up to £40 in free bets
Get up to £40 in free bets at TalkSport Bet
18+ New customers only. Opt in via mobile device or app, bet up to £40 (min. £20) on any football market at odds of 2.00+, in 7 days. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
We say: Brentford 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
The Brentford from the first half of the 2024-25 season would have few problems tearing open an injury-hit Brighton side, but for reasons that may never be explained, Frank's men have well and truly lost their way on their own patch.
However, the Bees have still recovered 14 points from losing positions in the current top-flight season, so even if Hurzeler's men can draw first blood, expect the hosts to strike back and force a share of the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ben Knapton
