PREVIEW: Brentford host struggling Brighton with Europe on the radar | OneFootball

Brentford seek to edge closer to a first-every appearance in Europe against a Brighton side with no wins in 13 matches at the Gtech Community Stadium.

The Bees have performed extremely well this season and occupy seventh place in the Premier League, which is not a position they would’ve expected to be in having promoted Keith Andrews to Thomas Frank’s old hotseat.

Andrews has stepped into the role as Brentford boss and has ticked all the boxes, with his side going toe-to-toe with league leaders Arsenal in their last top-flight match and claiming a point at home.

For Brentford, Kevin Schade is available after serving his three-match ban for seeing red against Aston Villa earlier in the month.

Minutes were managed for Igor Thiago, Jordan Henderson, Mikkel Damsgaard and Caoimhín Kelleher, who were all absent from the FA Cup squad which beat Macclesfield, so they are likely to return to the fold tomorrow.

But Joshua DaSilva, Fábio Carvalho and Antoni Milambo all remain out through knee injuries.

The Seagulls are navigating a very difficult period compared to their opponents at the weekend, with the last league win for Fabian Hürzeler’s side – now likely a distant memory to Brighton fans – came against relegation-threatened Burnley at the beginning of January.

Sitting in 14th place, Brighton are just seven points above the relegation zone and are in need of wins soon in order to avoid being dragged into the relegation scrap.

In the reverse fixture, Brentford suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat with a penalty converted early by Igor Thiago but conceded goals from Danny Welbeck and Jack Hinshelwood in the second half.

The Gtech Community Stadium has been a formidable ground this season, with a minimal two defeats in West London; only Arsenal, Man City and Sunderland have fewer, with one.

Positive injury news arrived for Hürzeler, as Solly March has a good chance of featuring after being present in full training and gaining match-sharpness with the U21s.

The Englishman last played a competitive match in September 2024 and will be eager to get back on the pitch after a long stint out.

Although Yasin Ayari is not available for the upcoming trip to West London, he is close to returning to the squad, but Stefanos Tzimas and Adam Webster are both out long-term.

The match kicks off on Saturday the 21st February (15:00 GMT).