Brentfordvs.Wolfsburg

The two sides actually met in a friendly during the summer, with the German side running out 4-0 winners on the day.

Match preview

Indeed, head coach Thomas Frank will be hoping for a much better performance and result than when falling to that defeat in July, especially having already been beaten by Bordeaux and Celta Vigo within the past week.

The Bees took the lead after just 27 seconds against Celta, with Yoane Wissa converting Sergi Canos' cutback, but former Liverpool forward Iago Aspas's brace helped inspire a comeback for the Spanish side at a freezing Jersey Road.

Having stunned Premier League champions Manchester City with a 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium in their last match before the mid-season break, Frank may have been ruing the timing of the World Cup given the potential lost momentum after that historic victory.

With three tough fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Liverpool awaiting them after Christmas, their final friendly match against Wolfsburg on Saturday could prove crucial in terms of their preparation for retaining a healthy distance above the relegation zone.

Wolfsburg, meanwhile, have plenty of time to prepare for their return to competitive action, with the Bundesliga not restarting until RB Leipzig host reigning champions Bayern Munich on January 20.

The Wolves will entertain second-placed Freiburg in their first match back a day later, and like his forthcoming counterpart, Niko Kovac may have been gutted to see the season paused after guiding his side to four successive victories prior to the break.

Indeed, after enduring a slow start after taking over as their manager during the summer, Kovac's side moved up to seventh in the table with a remarkable run of form. The former Croatia international will almost certainly have his sights set on challenging for a European qualification position in the New Year.

In the meantime, he will hope that his players can perform well in their upcoming friendly matches, having started in reasonable fashion with a 1-1 draw against Nordsjaelland last weekend.

Brentford friendly form:

W

L

D

L

W

W

Brentford form (all competitions):

D

L

D

D

L

W

Wolfsburg friendly form:

W

Wolfsburg form (all competitions):

W

D

W

W

W

W

Team News

Brentford may remain without David Raya, Christian Norgaard, Mathias Jensen, Saman Ghoddos and Bryan Mbeumo after their involvements with their respective nations at the World Cup.

Ivan Toney should lead the line, though, having been controversially snubbed by England manager Gareth Southgate, while Keane Lewis-Potter could continue in an experimental wing-back role having failed to hit the ground running following his summer transfer from Hull City.

Wolfsburg, meanwhile, will be without their key attacker Lukas Nmecha due to injury, whose knee issue caused him to withdraw from Germany's World Cup squad at the last minute.

After falling out with Kovac earlier in the season, Max Kruse's contract was terminated by mutual consent at the end of November, while Jakub Kaminski, Jonas Wind and Koen Casteels are all unlikely to be included in the travelling squad having been involved at the World Cup.

Brentford possible starting lineup:

Strakosha; Zanka, Pinnock, Mee; Roerslev, Janelt, Da Silva, Lewis-Potter; Canos, Toney, Wissa

Wolfsburg possible starting lineup:

Pervan; Baku, Lacroix, Braun, Otavio; Arnold, Svanberg, F Nmecha; Wimmer, Brekalo, Marmoush

We say: Brentford 2-1 Wolfsburg

Brentford's starting XI is likely to be stronger than their opponents, who may look to play the match at a slower tempo given that they have more than one month until their next competitive match.

The Bees may have their 4-0 defeat to the Wolves during the summer in the back of their minds, too, with revenge always a best dish when served cold.

Previews by email