Brentford look for another cup run as attention turns to the coveted FA Cup

Brentford just missed out on a trip to Wembley as they were defeated 2-0 by Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur to be knocked out at the semi-final stage of the Carabao Cup.

They have an excellent opportunity to get another run going this weekend when they welcome fellow Championship side Middlesbrough to the Brentford Community Stadium.

Thomas Frank’s side knocked out four Premier League sides before facing Spurs in the Carabao Cup and head into the tie against Boro full of confidence of producing a positive result with the main attention on making the Premier League for the first time.

With the busy festive period having now come to a close, it may offer both managers an opportunity to give squad players a chance to prove their worth as both sides have bigger matters to come in the league. Middlesbrough sit just five points behind the Bees having been in great form of late, winning all of their last five matches.

The two sides have met previously this season with the pair playing out a goalless draw in West London last month which underlines just how tough a test it will be for both sides.

Brentford have once more earned a home time in the third round of the FA Cup – remarkably this is the seventh time in as many seasons that the Bees have been drawn at home, including last season’s meeting with Stoke City.

The visitors have been handed a massive boost going into the tie after the news that forward Duncan Watmore has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract at the Riverside after joining the club on a short-term deal in November.

The 26-year-old has since gone onto score five goals in eight matches and has been nominated for the Championship Player of the Month award for December so he could be a massive threat for Frank’s side in this tie.

Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock has spoken to the club’s official website following the news that Watmore has agreed a new deal.

“We’re delighted to get him on board,” said the boss. “I don’t think it was ever in doubt that he would sign with us because he has loved every minute of it here so far.

“He gets on with the players and the staff, and he is really enjoying himself.

“He’s a real good lad. We’re looking forward to having him here on a longer-term basis now and hopefully seeing him score plenty more goals for the club.”

The tie is set to take place on Saturday evening in West London but could be another one to be postponed after the North Yorkshire club were forced to close their training ground on Monday after a number of positive coronavirus tests, putting this tie in doubt, as we have already seen Shrewsbury’s visit to Southampton cancelled for similar reasons.

If the game does go ahead, Tom Mason will be there live for us, giving you all the action as it happens throughout the evening and all the post-match news.

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