With the chance to break into the top six of the Premier League table if results go their way, Brentford welcome Crystal Palace to the Gtech Community Stadium for Saturday's London derby.
The Bees held former league leaders Arsenal to a 1-1 draw in their most recent showdown, while Patrick Vieira's men played out an identical stalemate with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Match preview
© Reuters
While few Arsenal fans can claim that their side deserved to take all three points from their clash with an inspired Brentford, Thomas Frank's side were no doubt thanking their lucky stars to come away with a draw following a farcical officiating error.
Arsenal substitute Leandro Trossard made the breakthrough in the 66th minute of the match, but Ivan Toney headed home the equaliser just eight minutes later, and the goal was allowed to stand after VAR official Lee Mason inexplicably failed to spot Christian Norgaard in an offside position in the build-up.
Nevertheless, Brentford were full value for their point at the Emirates Stadium, with Toney bullying the Arsenal defence all afternoon, and Frank's side enter the next round of fixtures sitting eighth in the rankings - just one point adrift of Fulham and Brighton but also two clear of Liverpool, who possess a game in hand.
Still yet to taste defeat since being thumped 4-0 by Aston Villa in October, Brentford have now strung together a 10-game unbeaten streak in the top flight - only Newcastle United (17) have a longer such run - and all of their last three at home have ended in victory.
Only Arsenal have managed to get the better of Frank's team at the Gtech Community Stadium this season, and the Bees have struck at least two goals in their last four home contests, which is not a pretty sight for a Crystal Palace side still searching for their first win of 2023.
© Reuters
Refereeing controversy also reared its ugly head during Palace's clash with Brighton at Selhurst Park, where Solly March struck first for the Seagulls just after the hour mark before James Tomkins headed home the equalising goal just six minutes after.
However, another bizarre offside mistake caused controversy in the capital, as Pervis Estupinan had seemingly scored a perfectly good goal for Brighton, but the strike was ruled out after VAR official John Brooks drew the offside line from the wrong defender.
Brentford and Palace can therefore both count themselves fortunate to have come away with a point last weekend - one which leaves Vieira's struggling side 12th in the table, albeit with a healthy seven-point buffer over the relegation zone.
The New Year has not led to a new sense of optimism for Palace, who have now gone seven games without victory since beating Bournemouth on New Year's Eve, although holding Manchester United, Newcastle United and Brighton to draws is no mean feat.
Sparks have not flown between Brentford and Palace since the Bees earned promotion to the big time in 2021, as the London rivals played out a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park back in August, having also shared the spoils in a pair of goalless draws in the 2021-22 season.
Team News
© Reuters
An eyebrow or two was raised when Toney was rubbing his hamstring before his late withdrawal against Arsenal, but there does not seem to be any concern among the Brentford camp, and the talismanic striker will expect to start here.
As a result, Frank should be working with a near-identical squad from the trip to the Emirates, with all of Pontus Jansson, Frank Onyeka and Thomas Strakosha still on the sidelines.
The decision to revert to a back three paid dividends at the Emirates, but Frank may now be tempted to switch back to a four-man defence, allowing Yoane Wissa to return to the final third.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace lost Will Hughes to a knock in their draw with Brighton, so the door could be open for Arsenal loanee Albert Sambi Lokonga to make his first start for the club if Hughes fails to prove his fitness, but there is optimism that he will be given the green light to play.
Joel Ward and Wilfried Zaha remain unavailable, but Joachim Andersen has returned to training from his calf injury, while Chris Richards (back) will need a once-over too.
In any case, Vieira should avoid the urge to make wholesale alterations after a well-earned draw against Brighton, with Jean-Philippe Mateta fending off Odsonne Edouard to lead the line again.
Brentford possible starting lineup:
Raya; Roerslev, Mee, Pinnock, Henry; Janelt, Norgaard, Jensen; Mbeumo, Toney, Wissa
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Guaita; Clyne, Tomkins, Guehi, Mitchell; Hughes, Doucoure, Schlupp; Olise, Mateta, Ayew
We say: Brentford 1-0 Crystal Palace
Having gleaned a league-high 14 points from losing positions this season, Palace are not to be counted out if they fall behind on Saturday, and Vieira's side have avoided defeat against some notable names so far in 2023.
However, victories are still eluding Vieira's crop, who will likely fall short against a Brentford side with a taste for wins in front of their own fans, but the Bees cannot expect to score at will.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Ben Knapton
