Brentford sit seventh in the Premier League, have 40 points on the board and are now in a genuine conversation about European football for the first time in the club’s history after a fine season.
Their recent run has been remarkable. Seven points from games against Aston Villa, Newcastle and Arsenal is not a sequence built on luck. It is built on a defence that organises well, an attack led by the irrepressible Igor Thiago – 17 league goals and counting – and a long-throw weaponry that has produced 10 set-piece goals over the last two campaigns, more than any other side in the division by some distance.
Brighton, by contrast, are in freefall. Just one win in their last 13 league games is a staggering collapse for a side that had been tracking a European finish in the early autumn. Head coach Fabian Hürzeler has spoken publicly about refusing to give up, but the Seagulls have been booed off by their own fans following recent performances and slip-ups, and arrive in West London having lost their last two top-flight matches without scoring. The pressure on the young German manager is intensifying.
Here’s how the two sides line up today.
Brentford team news
Brentford are without Antoni Milambo, Fabio Carvalho and Josh Dasilva, all sidelined with knee problems, but Thiago is available and expected to lead the attack after being rested for the FA Cup win at Macclesfield.
Brentford XI: Caoimhín Kelleher, Rico Henry, Sepp van den Berg, Kristoffer Ajer, Aaron Hickey, Vitaly Janelt, Jordan Henderson, Keane Lewis-Potter, Mathias Jensen, Dango Ouattara, Igor Thiago
Brighton team news
Brighton have Yasin Ayari (shoulder) and Adam Webster and Stefanos Tzimas (both knees) unavailable. Veteran midfielder James Milner sets a new all-time Premier League appearance record.
Brighton XI: Bart Verbruggen, Ferdi Kadioglu, Lewis Dunk, Jan Paul van Hecke, Mats Wieffer, Pascal Groß, Jack Hinshelwood, James Milner, Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck, Diego Gómez
Where to watch Brentford v Brighton
This match kicks off at 3pm and is not available to watch live in the UK due to the Saturday afternoon blackout. Highlights will be shown on Match of the Day on BBC One from 10.30pm.
