Brentford vs Swansea City Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News

28 July 2020 16:47

Swansea City head to west London with a slender advantage in a finely balanced play-off semi final tie.


The Swans carried their momentum into the first leg after a dramatic final day in the regular Championship season saw the Welsh side sneak into the play-offs. Andre Ayew made up for his earlier penalty mishap to fire Swansea into a 1-0 lead in emphatic fashion at the halfway stage of the tie.


Whether Steve Cooper's side can keep Brentford's famed front-three quiet for another 90 minutes remains to be seen however, as the Bees were the top scorers in the Championship in 2020. Read on for 90min's preview of an intriguing matchup...


Ayew's goal is the difference so far


Where to Watch on TV


When is Kick Off? Wednesday 29 July
What Time is Kick Off? 19:45 (BST)
Where is it Played? Griffin Park
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports Main Event



Team News


Rico Henry's three-match suspension, which would have included the return leg of this tie, following has now been rescinded. The full-back had played in every Championship game for the capital club and his absence would have been a huge blow.


Nikos Karelis will again be absent due to his long-term knee problem, but other than that, Brentford are injury free.


Brentford are hoping to overturn Henry's controversial red card

First-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman leads a lengthy injury list for Swansea. Ben Wilmot, Joe Rodon and George Byers are also confirmed absentees while veteran winger Wayne Routledge is a doubt.


Full-back Kyle Naughton, however, has served the final match of his three-game suspension and will be back in contention.



Predicted Lineups


Brentford: Raya; Dalsgaard, Jansson, Pinnock, Rasmussen; Marcondes, Norgaard, Dasilva; Mbeumo, Watkins, Benrahma.


Swansea: Mulder; Guehi, Hoorn, Cabango; Roberts, Grimes, Fulton, Bidwell; Gallagher; Ayew, Brewster.



Recent Form


Brentford lost to Barnsley on the final day of the season

Brentford came back from the enforced lockdown in scintillating form. Seven wins on the bounce saw them come within touching distance of an automatic promotion place, but they fell at the final hurdle.


A loss to struggling Stoke in their penultimate fixture handed the initiative back to West Brom in the race for second place, but even when the west Midlands club couldn't see off Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the season, Frank's men fluffed their lines. A 2-1 defeat at the hands of a Barnsley side fighting for their lives meant that Griffin Park would play host to a dramatic play-off fixture in its final ever match.


The loss in the first leg means its three consecutive defeats for the Bees. Form doesn't always count for much in the lottery that is the play-offs though, but Frank will have to do something to turn his faltering side around.


Routledge's injury time goal secured a play-off spot for Swansea

Swansea's strong form of late was rewarded with a dramatic route into the top six. One loss in their last seven Championship matches, along with Nottingham Forrest's collapse, ensured they have a shot at top flight football for the first time since 2018.


The 1-0 victory at the Liberty Stadium last time out made it three wins on the spin for the Swans.


Here's a look at both sides last five outings...



Brentford

Swansea 1-0 Brentford (26/7)
Brentford 1-2 Barnsley (22/7)
Stoke 1-0 Brentford (18/7)
Brentford 1-0 Preston (15/7)
Derby 1-3 Brentford (11/7)


Swansea

Swansea 1-0 Brentford (26/7)
Reading 1-4 Swansea (22/7)
Swansea 1-0 Bristol City (18/7)
Nottingham Forest 2-2 Swansea (15/7)
Swansea 0-1 Leeds (12/7)



Prediction


Brentford's forwards will play a huge part in the second-leg

Swansea may have been able to keep Brentford's BMW attack quiet over 90 minutes in familiar surroundings, but doing it again away from home is another task altogether. Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma were both guilty of missing chances in the first leg and they'll be eager to right those wrongs in mid-week.


Brentford should just have enough to give Griffin Park the send-off it deserves but it'll be a close encounter.


Prediction: Brentford 3-1 Swansea


Source: 90min