Brentford vs Rotherham United. Sky Bet Championship.
Griffin ParkAttendance10,297.
Friday 3 August 2018 10:54, UK
Brentford will monitor Neal Maupay’s fitness ahead of the curtain-raiser against Rotherham.
Maupay returned to training on Thursday after an unspecified injury and boss Dean Smith will make a decision on Friday.
Ryan Woods is back involved in the squad after being given time off after admitting feeling stressed at transfer speculation surrounding him. Julian Jeanvier looks set to make his debut following his move from French club Reims.
Rotherham manager Paul Warne only has Darren Potter on his injury list as they return to the second tier. Potter has undergone a second operation on an Achilles problem and will not be fit until 2019.
Jamie Proctor could be involved as his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury steps up, having been absent since last August. Warne, who guided the Millers to League One promotion last season, has made seven signings over the summer and they will all be hoping for debuts at Griffin Park.
Brentford have won each of their last three home league games against Rotherham, most recently a 4-2 victory in February 2017.
None of the last eight league encounters between Brentford and Rotherham has ended as a draw, with both teams winning four games each.
Brentford are winless on the opening day in each of their last six campaigns (D4 L2) since a 2-0 win over Yeovil Town at the start of the 2011-12 season.
Rotherham haven't won away from home on the opening day of a league season since thrashing Millwall 6-0 in August 2002; they have drawn three and lost two away matches since.
Brentford lost 26 points from leading positions in the Championship last season - only relegated Sunderland lost more (28).
Rotherham have collected just three points in their last 12 league trips to London (W0 D3 L9), losing each of the last seven in a row.
There will be great positivity around Brentford as they've managed to hold onto most of their key players this summer - at least for now!
Rotherham, meanwhile, can't be much worse than the last time they were in the Championship, and they should be a different proposition altogether with Paul Warne in charge. The Millers will be fired up and they'll have a go, but Brentford should edge it.
David Prutton predicts: 2-1 (7/1 with Sky Bet)
