Brentford and West Ham United take a break from Premier League action to square off in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
While the Bees are unbeaten in six games, West Ham are winless over the same period, leading to 11 points separating the teams in the top flight.
Match preview
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When Brentford comfortably survived in the Premier League last season, many questioned whether the Bees were capable of improving even further in 2022-23.
A recent return of 10 points from games with Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham and Liverpool has provided the answer, Brentford now only having eyes for a top-10 finish.
Thomas Frank will try to find a balance between caution and ambition, yet supporters cannot avoid starting to dream of a potential European place for next season.
The West Londoners have suffered just one top-flight defeat in nine games, that setback coming versus leaders Arsenal, and the manner of their win over Liverpool earlier this week will only fill Frank and his squad with belief.
Brentford rode their luck at times in the recent encounter with Saturday's opponents, Ivan Toney and Josh Dasilva getting on the scoresheet during the first half at the London Stadium.
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West Ham are in mourning this week due to the passing of joint-chairman David Gold, which occurred on the morning of the fixture with Leeds United on Wednesday.
The Hammers responded by earning a 2-2 draw which ultimately kept the club outside of the relegation zone, earning David Moyes further breathing space as he battles to save his job with the East London side.
That result ended a five-game losing streak in the top flight, and Moyes will welcome the opportunity for his players to perform with greater freedom across the capital.
Nevertheless, with fixtures against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton to follow in the league, Moyes knows that the upcoming triple-header could make or break whether he remains in the West Ham dugout in the long run.
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Team News
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Frank will hope to have Toney available again after no risks were taken on the forward versus Liverpool due to a minor knee issue.
Goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha could be provided with a rare outing between the sticks, while Dasilva is in line to add fresh legs in midfield.
However, Frank may opt against making widespread alterations, instead wanting to try to maintain momentum ahead of returning to Premier League action.
The shorter turnaround means more changes are likely to be made to the West Ham XI with Said Benrahma and Michail Antonio among the players who should be recalled.
Second-choice goalkeeper Alphonse Areola will feature between the sticks, while Ben Johnson or Aaron Cresswell should replace Vladimir Coufal after he sustained a knee injury versus Leeds.
Italian duo Angelo Ogbonna and Emerson Palmieri will also be hopeful of a return to the defence.
Brentford possible starting lineup:
Strakosha; Zanka, Pinnock, Mee; Roerslev, Jensen, Norgaard, Dasilva, Henry; Mbeumo, Toney
West Ham United possible starting lineup:
Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Aguerd, Kehrer; Paqueta, Rice, Soucek; Benrahma, Antonio, Fornals
We say: Brentford 1-2 West Ham United
While Brentford are classed as the clear favourites for this fixture, the prospect of changes being made should lead to a tight contest. With that in mind, we feel that the Hammers may edge this game, earning a result which could buy Moyes some time in the dugout.
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