Brentford head into their Championship clash with Nottingham Forest clinging on to a place in the top six after defying the odds all season.
Forest were among the early pacesetters in the division, but with 11 points separating them from the playoff positions ahead of kickoff, their chances of a Premier League return are slender.
Brentford
© Getty Images
One defeat in their last six matches sees Brentford head into their final run of fixtures with their playoff ambitions intact.
Mark Warburton's side maintained their good run with a 4-1 dismantling of Fulham in their last outing, but they are known to ship goals.
The Bees have the worst defensive record in the top eight and have not kept a clean sheet in their last seven attempts.
Although they have stuttered on the road of late, their home form coupled with the inconsistency of the teams above them has seen them remain in the mix at the top.
It has already been confirmed that Warburton will part company with the club at the end of the season, but he will be keen to extend his stay by at least two matches via the playoffs.
Recent form: WDLWDW
Forest
© Getty Images
Forest were the team to beat in the Championship in the early stages of the season before a run of three wins in 23 matches saw their title challenge fizzle out.
That run of form saw club legend Stuart Pearce shown the door, and his successor Dougie Freedman has inspired a resurgence of sorts at the City Ground.
However, their playoff hopes were dealt a major blow when they went down 2-1 to eighth-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers in their last outing, opening up a nine-point gap between them.
That was Freedman's only home defeat as Reds boss, with high-flyers Bournemouth and Middlesbrough among those on the receiving end of hidings during a run of five wins in six.
Yet, with 11 points now separating Forest from the playoff positions, even their impressive home form is unlikely to see them fighting for a spot in the top flight come the final day of the season.
Recent form: LWDWLL
Team News
© Getty Images
Forest striker Dexter Blackstock is pushing for a recall after dropping to the bench for the Reds' defeat to Wolves, potentially partnering Arsenal loanee Chuba Akpom.
Fellow loan star Modou Barrow could be handed a start after dropping out of the squad last time out, bringing competition to Chris Burke on the wing.
Brentford are unlikely to make extensive changes following their Fulham rout, with Andre Gray on hand to continue as the target man up front, with Stuart Dallas providing support in an advanced-midfield role.
Alan Judge and Tommy Smith are pushing for recalls after featuring off the bench at Craven Cottage, while January signing Lewis Macleod could appear in some capacity following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Brentford possible starting lineup:
Button; Odubajo, Dean, Tarkowski, Bidwell; Diagouraga, Jota, Pritchard, Douglas; Dallas, Gray
Forest possible starting lineup:
Darlow; Mancienne, Wilson, Lascelles, Lichaj; Barrow, Lansbury, Gardner, Osborn; Blackstock, Akpom
Head To Head
Brentford defeated Forest at the City Ground 3-1 earlier this season, and a repeat of that scoreline would see them gain precious ground on Watford directly above them.
However, they have a poor record against the Reds, winning only one of their last 12 encounters prior to this season, a run that dates back to the 1950s.
The two teams have met 22 times competitively, with Forest winning nine times, Brentford winning six, and the other seven ending in draws.
We say: Brentford 2-2 Forest
Both sides head into the game in decent form, so this is a close one to call, but Forest could exploit Brentford's defensive frailties and take a point from the match.
No Data Analysis info
