Brentford vs Norwich preview: Championship clash live on Sky Sports red button
Watch live on Sky Sports red button or the mobile app on New Year's Day from 2.55pm.
Monday 31 December 2018 11:56, UK
Brentford midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo could come back into contention for the visit of Sky Bet Championship promotion hopefuls Norwich.
The South African was left on the bench for Saturday's goalless draw at Birmingham, with Bees boss Thomas Frank admitting Mokotjo needed a rest during the hectic festive schedule.
Sergio Canos came into the side at St Andrew's and could face his former club, while defender Chris Mepham remains a fitness concern after missing the past two matches with an unspecified injury, so Yoann Barbet is likely to start again. Midfielders Lewis Macleod (hamstring) and Emiliano Marcondes (ankle) continue their recoveries.
Norwich head to Griffin Park looking to recover from Saturday's dramatic 4-3 home defeat to Derby, which ended their 12-match unbeaten run. Winger Onel Hernandez is expected to again stand in for playmaker Emi Buendia, who is sidelined by an ankle problem.
Defender Jamal Lewis (hamstring) is also out, along with midfielder Moritz Leitner (ankle). Midfielders Kenny McLean (ankle), Louis Thompson (shoulder), winger Matt Jarvis (ankle/knee) and striker Carlton Morris (knee) all continue their rehabilitation.
Opta stats
Only one of the last 15 league clashes between Brentford and Norwich has been drawn (four Brentford wins, 10 Norwich), a goalless stalemate on New Year's Eve in 2016.
Norwich have kept a clean sheet in each of their three Championship visits to Brentford (W2 D1).
Brentford have never lost a league match at Griffin Park on New Year's Day (P10 W6 D4 L0), with this their first at home since 2013, a goalless draw with Bournemouth.
Norwich are winless in six away league matches played on New Year's Day (W0 D3 L3) since a 1-0 win at Southampton in 1994.
Brentford's Neal Maupay has scored nine goals and assisted four more in his last 12 Championship starts at Griffin Park.
Norwich are unbeaten in 10 away league matches (W6 D4), their longest run since going 12 without defeat in August 2015.
Prutton's prediction
Brentford are unbeaten in three games now, which has provided some respite for Thomas Frank. Considering the talent they have in their squad, though, they should be a lot higher up the table.
There were more late goals at Carrow Road on Saturday but finally it was Norwich who came undone, and what a dramatic game it was against Derby. They will be desperate to bounce back and I feel they will do just that.
David Prutton predicts: 1-2 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
