The Gtech Community Stadium serves up an intriguing Premier League offering on Monday night, as Brentford welcome London rivals and fellow continental chasers Fulham.
Not since rescuing a last-gasp draw against Crystal Palace on February 18 have the Bees taken to the field, while the Cottagers also played out a 1-1 stalemate with Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out in the top flight.
Match preview
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Hitherto making headlines for all the right reasons with his prolific on-field exploits, Brentford talisman Ivan Toney has been dropped into a pot of hot water with the FA, having admitted breaching the governing body's betting rules and potentially facing an unprecedented ban for his actions.
While the England international remains in limbo regarding his sanctions - an extortionate six-month suspension has been mentioned - Brentford boss Thomas Frank can only try to keep the focus on his side's waning European charge, which has been halted thanks to a succession of stalemates.
It took a last-gasp Vitaly Janelt header to cancel out Eberechi Eze's opener against Crystal Palace last time out, leaving the Bees ninth in the table following Saturday's fixtures, and the Bees cannot break into the top seven no matter what transpires by the close of play this week.
That one-pointer with Palace marked a third draw in four Premier League games for Brentford, but their stellar unbeaten streak in the top division now stands at 11 games since defeat to Aston Villa in October, and the walls of the Gtech fortress are still standing strong.
Indeed, Frank's crop have not lost any of their last eight Premier League home games since being swept aside by Arsenal in September, and a first goal for the Bees could prove pivotal, as they are yet to lose in 21 top-flight games when drawing first blood.
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On the other hand, Brentford have failed to win any of their 10 league games when shipping the first goal this term, and Fulham are in possession of a certain super sub who produced a super equaliser during the visit of Wolves two Fridays ago.
For the third Premier League game running, Manor Solomon's impact off the bench was a telling one, as the Israeli attacker curled home a delightful equaliser following Pablo Sarabia's opener, keeping Fulham in the top seven of the rankings and level on points with Liverpool before the Reds take on Manchester United on Sunday.
A special season for Marco Silva could yet end with European qualification and an elusive piece of silverware - an FA Cup quarter-final with Manchester United awaits thanks to a 2-0 win over Leeds United in midweek - where Solomon was on the scoresheet from the first whistle alongside tackle-master Joao Palhinha.
Victory over the Whites made it seven games unbeaten for Fulham in all tournaments, and Silva's side make the journey across the capital having conceded just one goal in their last five Premier League games away from Craven Cottage, and even then Alexander Isak had to wait until minute 89 to propel Newcastle United to a narrow triumph.
A spot in the top five could be Fulham's should Man United do them a favour against Liverpool, and Silva's side edged a 3-2 thriller when Brentford made the journey to Craven Cottage in August for the first-ever Premier League meeting between the two sides, where Aleksandar Mitrovic stung the Bees with a 90th-minute winner.
Team News
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Only one bed in the Brentford treatment room is currently in use, as second-choice goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha is still out with an ankle problem, but Frank Onyeka and Pontus Jansson should be available for selection.
As things stand, Toney will be free to spearhead the Bees' attack on Monday night as he goes in search of a 15th Premier League goal of the season - Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa will aid him in his quest as ever.
Janelt's last-gasp heroics against Palace could see the German force his way into the midfield triumvirate over Josh Dasilva, but Frank should otherwise see no need to disrupt the harmony here.
While Brentford will not work around the suspension of an integral cog, it is a different story for Fulham, who must cope without Palhinha for Monday's game and the visit of league leaders Arsenal next weekend due to an accumulation of bookings.
With Tom Cairney still down with an ankle injury, January arrival Sasa Lukic should make his first Premier League start alongside Harrison Reed, while Layvin Kurzawa and Neeskens Kebano remain out of contention with knee and Achilles injuries respectively.
Despite his everlasting prowess off the bench, Solomon's start in the FA Cup might mean that Silva is planning to keep faith with Willian and Bobby Decordova-Reid from the off, while Mitrovic should be fit to lead the line after lasting 69 minutes against Leeds.
Brentford possible starting lineup:
Raya; Hickey, Pinnock, Mee, Henry; Janelt, Norgaard, Jensen; Mbeumo, Toney, Wissa
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Tete, Diop, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Lukic; Decordova-Reid, Pereira, Willian; Mitrovic
We say: Brentford 2-1 Fulham
Labelling Fulham a one-man team would be unjustified and untrue, but Cottagers fans can make no bones about how pivotal Palhinha's absence could be in the next couple of games, and a well-oiled Brentford attack need no second invitation to take advantage.
With Solomon always capable of turning up the heat in clutch moments, the Bees' backline should not get off scot-free, but Frank's well-rested team can move to within one point of their capital counterparts thanks to a slender success.
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Top tip
Ben Knapton
