Brentford v Ipswich: Everything you need to know

Ipswich town v Brentford

When and where?

The game at Griffin Park kicks off at 3pm on Saturday.

What are the likely line-ups?

Brentford (4-2-3-1): 27 David Button; 12 Alan McCormack, 6 Harlee Dean, 5 Andreas Bjelland, 3 Jake Bidwell; 17 K Kerschbaumer, 20 T Diagouraga; 23 Jota, 24 Akaki Gogia, 18 Alan Judge; 19 Andre Gray

Ipswich (4-2-3-1): 33 Bartosz Bialkowski, 29 Josh Emmanuel, 4 Luke Chambers, 5 Tommy Smith, 3 Jonas Knudsen; 28 Teddy Bishop, 8 Cole Skuse; 7 Ainsley Maitland Niles, 10 David McGoldrick, 14 Ryan Fraser; 9 Daryl Murphy.

Andre Gray (Image: PA Wire/Press Association Images)

Which players are missing?

For Brentford, Sam Saunders, Lewis McLeod and Scott Hogan are all out injured, while Christophe Berra is suspended for Ipswich after being sent off in the play-off loss to Norwich in May. Jonny Parr is also out with a thigh injury.

Who is their manager?

Marinus Dijkhuizen is largely unknown in this country, having taken over from Mark Warburton this summer. He last managed Excelsior in his native Holland, where he led his side to promotion to the top division before keeping them up the following season.

Who has the best record in this fixture?

The teams have only met 10 times in competitive action, but Ipswich are having the better of things having won six games compared to Brentford’s one all the way back in 1955. There have been three draws.

New Brentford boss Marinus Dijkhuizen (Image: Archant)

What happened last time the two teams played?

Ipswich had to make do with a draw against their top-six rivals came to Portman Road in March and left with a 1-1 draw.

Daryl Murphy hooked home his 22nd league goal of the season in the ninth minute, but that was cancelled out by Jonathan Douglas’ stooping header midway through the first period.

Murphy then stabbed over an unguarded net from inside the six yard box soon after the restart, an unfortunate contender for miss of the season.

Who is the ref?

David Coote has predominantly refereed in the third and fourth tiers, but has taken charge of five Ipswich games. It’s not a good run for Town, though, with four of those games ending in defeat for the Tractor Boys. The last of those was the 2-1 loss at Cardiff last October. Coote does love a card, having issued 116 yellows and four reds in 29 games last season.

What’s the key battle on the pitch?

Having started out at Wolfsburg much was expected of attacking midfielder Akaki Gogia, but he ended up dropping down to the third division to play for his hometown club Hallescher.

There is much excitement surrounding Ipswich’s recruitment of two flying wingers this summer in Ryan Fraser and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

The latter, on loan from Arsenal and still only 17, has looked a class act in pre-season and it will be interesting to see how he fares amidst the

intensity of a competitive Championship game.

What are the bookies saying?

Brentford are the favourites heading into this one at 21/20, with Ipswich 14/5 and the draw 13/5. Andre Gray is the leading contender to open the scoring at 5/1, with David McGoldrick 7/1 and Daryl Murphy 15/2. (Odds courtesy of Bet365)

Anything else worth knowing?

Griffin Park is well known for having a pub on all four corners of the ground. The stadium gets its name from the griffin pictured on the badge of Fuller’s brewery based nearby.

What’s the result going to be?

Stuart Watson, chief football writer: Brentford have lost several of their key men from last season and playing them early, before several foreign imports have settled in, may be a good thing.

With some pace added to the midfield and the strike force as good as any in the division, Town’s concern today is whether full-backs Josh Emmanuel and Jonas Knudsen can bed in quickly against a Bees side still possessing plenty of craft and guile.

It could make for an entertaining affair. I’m going for 2-2,

See here for a guide to the players who have turned out for both clubs.