Preston North End make their first visit to the Brentford Community Stadium this Sunday afternoon in the last Championship game before the international break.
The Lilywhites will be looking to give themselves positive first experiences of the Bees new home, having not had many great memories of Griffin Park in the last decade!
They head to West London with new signing Emil Riis Jakobsen, who gained international clearance on Friday and can go straight into the squad for the clash against compatriot Thomas Frank’s side.
The Bees head into the fixture in excellent form, a 3-0 demolition of Premier League Fulham in the Carabao Cup on Thursday (the date being the reason the fixture moved to the Sunday), being their aperitif for their next Championship encounter.
Match Information
Competition: EFL Sky Bet Championship (4/46)
Date: Sunday 4th October, kick-off 2pm
Venue: Brentford Community Stadium
Kit: 2020/21 third ‘green’ kit – click here to buy it now!
Head To Head: PNE wins – 21; Draws – 13; Brentford - 24
Team News
Tom Barkhuizen misses the game through suspension, after his appeal against his red card issued versus Stoke City was dismissed by an FA Panel, but reduced from three games to just this one at the home of the Bees.
Manager Alex Neil is hoping to be able to include Daniel Johnson, however, who has missed the last few games with a groin injury, but is getting closer to a return to action.
New signing and Danish U21 international Emil Riis Jakobsen has received international clearance and is available to be included in the squad.
Darnell Fisher remains on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury and Louis Moult continues to build his fitness and is back outside on the grass after a year out with an ACL injury.
Saman Ghoddos received international clearance in time to make his Bees debut against Fulham on Thursday, while Thomas Frank also included Said Benrahma – who scored twice against the Cottagers, but Rico Henry missed out due to a low-grade hamstring issue.
Match Officials
Sunday's game sees Dean Whitestone appointed as match official. He refereed four North End games last season, including the home game with QPR - the last before lockdown in March and our home win over Charlton Athletic in late January.
The Northamptonshire official has refereed PNE games on 13 previous occasions, the first of which was at Bramall Lane back in October 2008.
He has officiated three games so far this fledgling campaign, issuing three cautions and no red cards – his last game being QPR's 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough last Saturday.
Two of the stand-out PNE games he has been in charge of, were a 3-0 victory at Barnsley in August 2009, and a 3-1 triumph on the road at Doncaster in October 2012.
The rest of Sunday's official will be made up of assistant referees Mark Russell and rob Smith, whilst the fourth official will be experienced Championship official Tim Robinson.
Match Coverage
North End fans can watch Sunday’s game live on iFollow PNE, with purchases of a £10 match pass available now.
Guy Clarke and former North End defender Paul Sparrow are on commentary duties, with replays, graphics and coverage from the Brentford Community Stadium from 1.45pm on Sunday afternoon.
Click here now to sign up for a match pass
Linked Stories
Alex Neil Expects Keenly Contested Game: Manager Alex Neil is expecting a tough game on Sunday afternoon as PNE travel to Brentford Community Stadium for the first time. Click here for the full interview.
A Match To Remember: Preston North End didn’t have too many successful afternoons at Griffin Park, but a 2-0 win over Brentford in 1988 sent the Lilywhites home happy. Click here for the details.
Browne Relishing Senior Role: Wearing the captain’s armband when called upon has been something of a regular occurrence for Preston North End midfielder Alan Browne over the last 12 months. Click here for Alan’s thoughts.