Preview: Cardiff City vs. Brentford - prediction, team news, lineups

Fresh on the back of reaching their first ever major cup semi-final, Brentford switch focus back to Championship matters as they travel to Cardiff City on Boxing Day.

The Bees are unbeaten in 13 league matches and are fourth in the table, six points better off than 10th-placed opponents Cardiff.

Match preview

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Josh DaSilva's second-half goal was enough for Brentford to create some club history in their EFL Cup last-eight tie with Newcastle.

Boss Thomas Frank hailed his players for "creating a new chapter" for the West London outfit in what was a deserved victory over Premier League opposition.

Brentford fans now have a prestigious semi-final to look forward to, even if they are unlikely to be allowed in the ground in person, but for now all focus is on the Championship.

Promotion is the aim for Frank's men and, on the basis of the past couple of months, they look good value to earn promotion to the top tier of English football.

The Bees have not lost since going down 3-2 to Stoke City at the end of October, collecting 25 points from a possible 39 since then.

They beat fellow promotion contenders Reading 3-1 last time out in the league and are three points off the top two.

However, given the tight nature of the division, a defeat for Brentford on Boxing Day could see them drop out of the playoffs entirely if other results go against them.

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Breaking into the top six is the target for Cardiff over the festive period, but they have work to do as they are four points adrift of Middlesbrough in the final playoff spot.

The Bluebirds have lost two of their last three games, going down 2-0 to bitter rivals Swansea City and Norwich City, either side of a 3-2 home victory over Birmingham City.

Neil Harris has declared himself pleased with his side's form, though, as they have won five of their last seven and are still very much in the promotion picture.

The Welsh side have won three of their last four on home soil, keeping a clean sheet in half of those games, and they also have a good record against Brentford on their own patch.

City are nine without defeat against the Bees at Ninian Park and the Cardiff City Stadium since 1995. Overall, meanwhile, they have lost only one of the last six encounters home and away.

Cardiff City Championship form: WLWWLW

Brentford Championship form: WDDWDW Brentford form (all competitions): DDWDWW

Team News

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Cardiff are without star striker Kieffer Moore over the festive period and key playmaker Lee Tomlin is a long-term absentee.

Robert Glatzel has stepped up with three goals in City's last six matches and will lead the line against Brentford.

Joe Ralls is back from suspension and will be hopeful of a recall in midfield, while Mark Harris is another who is in line for a start after missing out versus Norwich.

Unlike their opponents, Brentford have not had a full week's rest between games and that may be reflected in Frank's starting lineup.

Ivan Toney was brought on as a second-half substitute against former side Newcastle and should feature from the beginning here.

Bryan Mbeumo, an unused substitute in midweek, is another who can provide some fresh legs for the Bees.

Cardiff City possible starting lineup: Smithies; Bacuna, Morrison, Nelson, Bennett; Wilson, Vaulks, Ralls, Ojo; Harris, Glatzel

Brentford possible starting lineup: Raya, Dalsgaard, Goode, Pinnock, Henry; Dasilva, Janelt, Jensen; Mbuemo, Toney, Canos

We say: Cardiff City 1-2 Brentford

Brentford will enter this game on a real high following their cup victory over Newcastle in midweek.

The Bees are unbeaten in six away league games, winning four of those, and we can see them overcoming an inconsistent Cardiff side this weekend.

Top betting tip