MX23RW : Friday, February 21 01:18:01| >> :600:1231559:1231559:
Feb 8, 2020 at 3pm UK at ​Griffin Park
Attendance: 12,285
Brentford
3-2
Middlesbrough
Jeanvier (24'), Mbeumo (60'), Watkins (87')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Wing (58'), Fletcher (63')

Preview: Brentford vs. Middlesbrough - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Brentford and Middlesbrough at Griffin Park, including team news, lineups and predictions.

Brentford welcome Middlesbrough to Griffin Park in the Championship on Saturday, with the home side just five points adrift of the automatic promotion places.

Middlesbrough, on the other hand, are just seven points clear of the relegation zone, although a win on Saturday could see them climb as high as 14th.


Match preview

Ollie Watkins in action for Brentford on January 11, 2020© Reuters

Brentford's run of six consecutive home league wins came to an end in their last match at Griffin Park, with the West London club losing 1-0 to promotion rivals Nottingham Forest.

That defeat was just the Bees' third defeat on their home patch all season and their first since they lost to Huddersfield Town back in November.

However, a 5-1 win away to Hull City in their most recent game put their promotion hopes back on track and they are now just six points adrift of leaders West Bromwich Albion.

With two points separating Bristol City in sixth and Fulham in third, the playoffs battle is heating up and Thomas Frank's side know they cannot afford another slip up.

They also have history on their side, as Brentford came out on top the last time these two sides played each other thanks to a second half Ollie Watkins winner.

Middlesbrough's Patrick Roberts is later substituted after picking up an injury on January 21, 2020© Reuters

Middlesbrough's mini revival has come to a bit of a standstill in recent weeks, with the North-East club picking up just three points from their last four games.

A run of four consecutive wins around the new year moved them away from immediate danger, but manager Jonathan Woodgate will be aware that they can be pulled back into a relegation scrap if they fail to pick up points soon.

Boro's form away from the Riverside has been poor all season, with the club managing just two Championship wins, although they did come against West Brom and Preston North End.

A win on Saturday would be just their ninth league victory of the season, but with a few key players closing in on a return their chances against Brentford look to have been boosted.

Brentford Championship form: LWWDLW
Brentford form (all competitions): WWDLLW

Middlesbrough Championship form: WWDLDD
Middlesbrough form (all competitions): DDLLDD


Team News

Brentford's Said Benrahma pictured in August 2018© Reuters

Brentford's hat-trick hero from the 5-1 win at Hull Said Benrahma is a doubt for Saturday's match due to personal reasons, in a blow to the Bees hopes.

Pontus Jansson, Nikos Karelis, Josh Clarke, Mathias Jensen, Ellery Balcombe and Kamo Mokotjo are all out, while Sergi Canos could be set for a return to first team action following a knee injury he picked up in October.

In a boost to Woodgate, the former England international could have George Friend and Ryan Shotton back fit for Saturday's meeting, with both players being assessed.

Britt Assombalonga is a doubt as he continues his rehabilitation from injury, although he did manage 28 minutes against Blackburn Rovers from the bench last time out.

Elsewhere, Anfernee Dijksteel, Daniel Ayala and Patrick Roberts have all been ruled out.

Brentford possible starting lineup:
Raya; Dalsgaard, Jeanvier, Pinnock, Henry; Dasilva, Norgaard, Marcondes; Mbuemo, Watkins, Castillo

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Pears; Spence, McNair, Fry, Friend; Wing, Howson, Saville; Nmecha, Fletcher, Tavernier


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We say: Brentford 2-1 Middlesbrough

Brentford have been an exciting side to watch all season and while their home run has now come to an end, they are still favourites for this match. The potential absence of Benrahma is a blow, but Boro are still unlikely to have enough to hold off their formidable attack.


body check tags ::

Who will win Saturday's Championship clash between Brentford and Middlesbrough

Brentford
Draw
Middlesbrough
Brentford
57.1%
Draw
7.1%
Middlesbrough
35.7%
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Brentford's Said Benrahma celebrates scoring their fourth goal on February 1, 2020
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rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool26251061154676
2Manchester CityMan City26173667293854
3Leicester CityLeicester26155654262850
4Chelsea2612594336741
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs2611784334940
6Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2610972824439
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd2610883829938
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2681263532336
9Everton26106103438-436
10Arsenal2671363634234
11Burnley26104123039-934
12Southampton2694133248-1631
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2687112440-1631
14Crystal Palace2679102332-930
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2669113138-727
16Bournemouth2675142640-1426
17Aston Villa2674153450-1625
18West Ham UnitedWest Ham2666143045-1524
19Watford2659122440-1624
20Norwich CityNorwich2646162448-2418

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