Sean still out? All the Bees v Bluebirds build-up
CARDIFF City travel to west London to the Brentford Community Stadium this evening.
The Bluebirds will be desperately hoping to record their first win since the international break, but will come up against stiff opposition in the form of Thomas Frank’s Bees. Here’s all you need to know...
What time is Brentford v Cardiff City kick-off?
6pm tonight.
Is it on TV?
Yes. The game will be televised live on Sky Sports Arena from 5.55pm.
What about live streaming?
Cardiff City will be streaming the game live on their website and match passes for those viewing in the UK can be bought here for £10.
Overseas viewers will be able to pay to watch the game for £7 - other packages are also available. Full details here.
You can also follow all the action on our live WalesOnline blog from 4pm.
What are the odds?
Brentford win: 7/10 Draw: 11/4
Cardiff win: 4/1
(Odds via The Pools and correct at the time of publication)
What’s the team news?
Cardiff City captain Sean Morrison is a doubt for tonight’s trip to Brentford.
The City skipper has missed the last four matches owing to a calf strain and it will be unlikely he is ready to return this week.
It is also unlikely Lee Tomlin will be brought back into the fray, despite the playmaker having trained with the first team all last week.
Leandro Bacuna returned to training at the weekend after falling ill with Covid-like symptoms. It is touch and go as to whether he makes the trip to west London, too.
Joe Bennett is a long-term absentee owing to his operation following the ACL injury he sustained, while Joel Bagan is also out for the season after surgery on his dislocated shoulder.
Isaac Vassell is still out with a view to him being ready for pre-season.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank, meanwhile, will be without Josh Dasilva (muscle), Henrik Dalsgaard (knee), Rico Henry (hamstring) and Shandon Baptiste (knee).
What have the managers said? Brentford manager Thomas Frank: “Preston, Millwall and Cardiff are similar, it’s a 5-3-2, it’s high energy pressing and playing behind us.
“We need to deal with second balls and then we need to open up that second block of players.
“I also think the quality in players go up from Preston to Millwall to Cardiff. So it’s a task, a big task ahead of us, but we are ready for that.
“But the quality to get that right is not just about snapping your finger, it’s about quality on the day, if the players have got it or not got it, then it’s up to us to find a solution to hurt them either on the side or in behind them.”
Cardiff City manager Mick McCarthy: “I’ve had a terrific response, we’ve had a terrific response. I’m proud of the way the lads have gone about it.
“It shouldn’t be one minute in the last minute that takes away all that and it doesn’t, the way they played and they were committed to it.
“When I sit down and analyse it, I feel like we’ve lost and the players feel the same and I’m glad they feel the same. They are disappointed with it.
“But it comes around quick. But if you drop your guard against good teams you are going to get punished.
“So we’d better not drop our guard against Brentford or we will be in serious trouble.”
Match facts
■ Brentford are looking to complete their first league double over Cardiff since the 1994-95 season.
■ Cardiff have scored in their last 18 league games against Brentford since losing 1-0 back in December 1998.
■ Both of Brentford’s last two home league matches have finished 0-0; the Bees last played out three straight home league goalless draws in January 1997.
■ Having won eight of Mick McCarthy’s first 14 league games in charge (D5 L1), Cardiff have since failed to win each of their last four (D2 L2).
■ Brentford’s Sergi Canos has been directly involved in five goals in three Championship starts against Cardiff City (4 goals, 1 assist).