Preview: Brentford vs. Blackburn Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

Brentford head into their Championship fixture with Blackburn Rovers on Saturday afternoon sitting in fourth position in the standings.

However, should they lose at Griffin Park this weekend, the Bees will hold just a two-point advantage over an improving Rovers outfit.

Match preview

Although Brentford have only recorded draws with Leeds United and Birmingham City in their last two fixtures, Thomas Frank will be content with his side remaining in close proximity to the top four.

However, there will also be an acknowledgement that stalemates are not going to earn the Bees promotion to the Premier League - a belief strengthened by Blackburn closing the gap on the teams in the playoffs.

Brentford still have eight points to their name from four outings, although there is an increasing need to get back on track ahead of two away fixtures in quick succession.

Frank will hope that the returning Pontus Jansson can help Brentford end their four-game wait for a clean sheet, with the team's fast starts currently being undermined by their lack of shutouts.

In Blackburn, they face opponents who have kept consecutive clean sheets against Hull City and Charlton Athletic respectively, helping the club to within touching distance of the top six.

Tony Mowbray witnessed his team go throughout the Christmas and New Year period without recording a win in six attempts, which highlights how the teams above them have struggled for consistency in recent weeks.

With the threat of relegation no longer an issue, Mowbray will call on his players to play with a degree of freedom, aware that some of their rivals have begun to toil with promotion to the Premier League becoming a possibility.

Ahead of home fixtures with Stoke City and Swansea City, there is a window of opportunity for Blackburn to move into the playoffs, and Mowbray and his players will be more than happy to play the role of underdogs in London this weekend.

Brentford Championship form: DLWWDD Brentford form (all competitions): LLWWDD

Blackburn Rovers Championship form: WWDLWW

Team News

Mowbray is likely to keep changes to a minimum for this game, especially given the club's recent impressive streak at the back.

There could be one alteration in attack with Elliott Bennett taking the place of Dominic Samuel, allowing Adam Armstrong to play down the middle.

As for Brentford, Frank will hope that Jansson is passed fit to return to the centre of the backline.

However, Mathias Jensen has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, which should lead to a recall for Josh Dasilva.

Brentford possible starting lineup: Martin; Dalsgaard, Jansson, Pinnock, Henry; Baptiste, Norgaard, Dasilva; Mbuemo, Watkins, Benrahma

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup: Walton; Nyambe, Lenihan, Adarabioyo, Bell; Travis, Johnson; Downing, Buckley, Bennett; Armstrong

We say: Brentford 2-1 Blackburn Rovers

We expect this contest to be tighter than many are predicting, partly due to Blackburn relishing their tag as promotion underdogs. However, Brentford's extra quality in the final third could ultimately prove to be the difference in the closing stages.