Brentford aim to return back to winning ways in the Premier League when they travel across the capital to face West Ham on Friday evening.
After the six-week World Cup break, the Bees resumed their Premier League campaign against Tottenham at home on Boxing Day. From leading 2-0 and in a commanding position, they had to settle for a point as Spurs made a second-half comeback.
Nonetheless, Thomas Frank’s side are undefeated in their last four league games and will be looking to pile more misery on West Ham, who are in 16th place in the league table and just a point above the relegation zone.
Defensive duo Kristoffer Ajer and Aaron Hickey will both miss out for Brentford, but they are expected to return sometime in early January.
Frank Onyeka missed the Boxing Day fixture against Tottenham following a hamstring strain and faces a late fitness test ahead of Friday’s game, while Shandon Baptiste and Thomas Strakosha will be absent again with adductor and ankle problems, respectively.
Goalkeeper
David Raya would have been disappointed after conceding twice in the second half against Tottenham on Boxing Day. The Spaniard is set to continue in goal for Brentford and will be aiming to close the shop at the London Stadium as quickly as possible.
Defence
Thomas Frank will be expected to roll out the 3-5-2 formation, with Mathias Jorgensen, Ethan Pinnock and Ben Mee certain to form the back three again. The defensive trio of Jorgensen, Pinnock and Mee must stay tight and focused throughout the 90 minutes to keep a pacey and physical West Ham attack at bay on Friday.
Sergi Canos and Pontus Jansson will offer cover for defensive positions from the bench.
Midfield
Mathias Jensen, Christian Norgaard and Vitaly Janelt would make up Brentford’s midfield. Their main responsibility would be to recycle possession, disrupt West Ham’s rhythm and engineer meaningful opportunities for the forwards from the centre of the park.
Mads Roerslev and Rico Henry should operate as the wing-backs, hoping to provide width and energy to Brentford’s attack whilst staying defensively resolute against the West Ham wingers.
Josh Dasilva and Keane Lewis-Potter will be available for selection on the bench as they wait for their chances to make an impact in the second 45 minutes if required.
Attack
Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney should form the two-pronged attack for Brentford, and the duo will look to use their pace, physicality and flair to cause West Ham’s backline problems. If the Bees need fresh legs in attack, Frank could bring on Yoane Wissa and Saman Ghoddos from the bench.
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