Following the two-week international break, Brentford will be aiming to return to winning ways in the Championship when they face off against Nottingham Forest.

Forest eased the pressure on Dougie Freedman with a 1-0 victory over Derby County last time out, and they will be determined to build on that in the match at Griffin Park.

Brentford

Brentford's impressive run of form under the tenure of Lee Carsley ended just before the international break in a 2-0 defeat to Hull City, while the Bees almost bounced back by claiming a point on their visit to Ewood Park against Blackburn Rovers.

Carsley's men had won four matches on the spin in the Championship to lift them up the table following their early-season struggles under Marinus Dijkhuizen with wins over Rotherham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic, and Queens Park Rangers.

Despite the club's run of good form under the former Republic of Ireland midfielder, Carsley has expressed no appetite to take the manager's role on a permanent basis. Reports suggest that Swansea City assistant manager Pep Clotet has been lined up to take the role next week.

If the reports are true, Carsley will be determined to sign off his spell as caretaker boss with a victory to leave the new manager in a strong position in the Championship with the prospect of launching a charge for promotion.

Brentford have been inconsistent at Griffin Park this season, winning three of their eight matches, although they have suffered four defeats, including their loss to Hull in their last home match.

Defensively Brentford have been suspect at home, shipping 13 goals in their matches at Griffin Park this season. However, their recent run of three clean sheets in their winning streak shows that the Bees are capable of strong performances at the back.

Striker Alan Judge should be fit to lead the line for the Bees after a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. The 27-year-old has been his side's leading goalscorer this season with six strikes and will look to add to his tally against Forest.

Recent form: WWWWLD

Nottingham Forest

Forest's players may have saved Freedman from the axe with their victory over rivals Derby in their last outing at the City Ground.

Nelson Oliveira's fifth-minute strike was enough to guide his team to the three points, which ended a run of eight matches without a win in the Championship.

Pressure had steadily been growing on Freedman at the City Ground due to the club's winless run that saw them drop to the vicinity of the relegation zone, but the victory has given the Scot breathing room ahead of the clash at Griffin Park.

Forest have struggled in front of goal this season, scoring 12 goals in their 16 matches. Only Preston North End and Bolton Wanderers have scored fewer goals in the Championship this term. Oliveira and Matthew Mills lead the way with two goals apiece for the club this season.

Defensively, Freedman's men have been one of the better units in the division, conceding 16 goals in their 16 matches. The club have kept three clean sheets this season, but their shutout against Derby was their first since September.

Forest have had problems on the road since the middle of September when they won two matches on the spin against Queens Park Rangers and Birmingham City. Since then they have picked up just one point from a possible 12, setting up an important match for the club at Griffin Park.

Recent form: LDDLLW

Team News

Judge is expected to return to lead the line for the Bees alongside Lasse Vibe following his return from injury. The striker's return is timely as Marco Djuricin has been ruled out until January after sustaining an ankle injury against Blackburn.

Lewis MacLeod, Andreas Bjelland and Scott Hogan are all still on the sidelines with long-term injuries, but Josh McEachran could make an appearance on the bench, while Jota and Maxime Colin are also close to a return to fitness.

Chris Cohen has stepped up his recovery from his long-term knee injury, but the match at Griffin Park comes too soon for him to return to first-team action.

Andy Reid, Matty Fryatt and Britt Assombalonga are also still sidelined with their respective injury problems. However, Michael Mancienne and Robert Tesche may return to the fold for Freedman's side on Saturday to boost his squad.

Brentford possible starting lineup:
Button; Yennaris, Dean, Tarkowski, Bidwell; Woods, Diagouraga, McCormack; Swift, Judge, Vibe

Forest possible starting lineup:
De Vries; Lichaj, Mills, Hobbs, Dani Pinillos; Vaughan, Lansbury; Burke, Williams, Ward, Oliveira

Head To Head

The Bees staged a comeback in the last 10 minutes of the last meeting between the sides as Andre Gray and Jota salvaged a point after Tyler Walker and Todd Kane had put the visitors ahead at Griffin Park.

Brentford recorded a 3-1 victory in the match at the City Ground earlier in the last campaign as strikes from Jon-Miquel Toral, Alex Pritchard and Gray fired the Bees to the win.

Forest have edged the battle between the sides over the course of history by winning nine of the 23 contests, while Brentford have recorded six games. Eight of the matches have ended in stalemates.

We say: Brentford 2-1 Nottingham Forest

The Bees saw their resurgence in form ended just before the international break, while Forest will think that the stoppage came just at the wrong time for them following their win over the Rams.

Brentford have been a solid outfit under the charge of Carsley and they should get back to winning ways at Griffin Park at the expense of Forest, in what could be his final game as manager of the club.