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

Brentford face Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday afternoon looking to extend their unbeaten Championship record to 20 matches.

While the Bees sit within four points of leaders Norwich City, Boro are two points outside of the top six after three games without success.

Match preview

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For the second home game in succession, Brentford endured problems in the first half as they conceded an early goal against Bristol City.

However, just like they did against Wycombe Wanderers at the weekend, the Bees responded in ruthless fashion, carving out a convincing win when the result could have gone the opposite way.

Thomas Frank would prefer his players to get back to recording routine wins, something which has not been achieved since their first-half blitz of Reading on December 19.

Nevertheless, the Dane has been left with no doubts about the character of this squad, and that could prove important during the final three months of the promotion race.

Ivan Toney is now up to 20 goals for the season, with four strikes from two appearances coming after a seven-match streak without finding the back of the net.

At a time when Brentford are scoring goals for fun, Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock has witnessed his side record just two goals from their last five fixtures.

Despite last weekend's goalless draw at Norwich being regarded as a plus, Boro have now gone almost seven halves of football without troubling the scoresheet.

Only Bournemouth's dismal recent form has kept the North-East outfit within close proximity to the playoffs, something which will not last unless improvements are made in the final third.

Middlesbrough play host to the form team in the division having suffered three home defeats in succession, their last Riverside win coming against Luton Town on December 16.

Middlesbrough Championship form: WLWLLD Middlesbrough form (all competitions): LLWLLD

Brentford Championship form: WWWDWW Brentford form (all competitions): WWLDWW

Team News

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Despite home advantage, Warnock may deploy the same 4-5-1 formation which proved effective at Norwich last weekend.

Duncan Watmore is a potential alternative on the right flank, while Chuba Akpom may get the nod over Yannick Bolasie in attack.

New arrivals Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Neeskens Kebano are expected to be named among the replacements.

Frank could name the same Brentford XI for this contest, regardless of a turnaround of under 68 hours.

Winston Reid is in contention for a first start at centre-back, with Marcus Forss an option in the final third if Frank opts for fresh legs.

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup: Bettinelli; Fisher, Fry, McNair, Bola; Watmore, Howson, Morsy, Saville, Johnson; Akpom

Brentford possible starting lineup: Raya; Dalsgaard, Pinnock, Sorensen, Henry; Ghoddos, Janelt, Jensen; Fosu-Henry, Toney, Canos

We say: Middlesbrough 1-2 Brentford

Taking their cup fixtures into consideration, there may be a time when Brentford's schedule catches up with them. However, we do not expect it to be this weekend, and the Bees' extra quality in the final third could prove decisive in this contest.