Brights starts from Stoke City and Brentford as they clash at the Bet365 Stadium

It was just 96 days ago that Stoke City and Brentford met on the penultimate weekend of the Championship season. A game which changed the entire outlook of the division.

Brentford were on a blistering run, winning their last eight league games which had put them in touch with the top two of Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion.

But it looked like Thomas Frank’s men got their big break. West Brom surprisingly lost at Huddersfield Town the night before, meaning that the Bees had promotion to the Premier League in their own hands.

But if they were to move into the automatic promotion places, they had to get a result at Stoke, who themselves were fighting to avoid relegation. They had picked up form at the right time, beating Birmingham and drawing at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate, which moved them five points clear of the bottom three. But they knew a defeat would pull them back into a final day scrap for safety.

Many were expecting Brentford to get the result they need but surprisingly, despite being on top for the entire 90 minutes, they were beaten at the Bet365 1-0. Lee Gregory’s goal guaranteed the Potters’ Championship status, but effectively derailed the Bees’ promotion hopes. They finished third in the league and went on to lose in the Play-Off final to their West London rivals’ Fulham.

But three months on from that match, they’re back at it again. Both teams have made reasonably good starts to the new season and there is a possibility that either one of them could end up in the top six, come Saturday teatime.

The Visitors will no doubt fancy their chances for this one. They picked up their first victory on the road in midweek, defeating basement side Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Frank’s men confidence will also be boosted by the form of their hitman Ivan Toney. The former Peterborough United man has really hit the ground running in the Championship, scoring seven goals in his opening six matches.

Meanwhile, a ten-men Stoke side rescued a point on Wednesday night, drawing 2-2 with Barnsley. It does mean that the Potters go into this one without a home win. But Michael O’Niell’s men are of course more than capable of picking up the points. They have been defensively sound so far, conceding just five goals and keeping three clean sheets.

Stoke also have an array of attacking options which includes that of Steven Fletcher, Tyrese Campbell, Nick Powell, Lee Gregory and Sam Vokes. All have got off the mark for the club this season with Campbell and Powell the joint top scorers with two.

Team News

For Stoke City – Nathan Collins’ sending off in the draw with Barnsley means he will be unavailable for the Brentford. They too could be with Jordan Cousins, Morgan Fox, James McClean and Sam Clucas

For Brentford – Pontus Jansson could miss the clash in Staffordshire after he picked up a hamstring injury in the win at Hillsborough, however, Christian Norgaard or Mads Roerslev will be unavailable for selection.

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt

[columns]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”2833″ heading=”Stoke City” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”2821″ heading=”Brentford” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]
[/columns]