Brentford's automatic promotion hopes are under serious threat as they now sit eight points back from second-placed Watford. 

The Bees have a game in hand over the sides above them but even if they win that, closing a five-point gap in four games is a tough ask.

Thomas Frank will now his side will likely have to finish the Championship season with five wins on the bounce to hold any hopes of doing that, starting with their game against Cardiff City tonight.

The Bees welcome the Bluebirds to west London this evening, knowing that failing to win would be a massive blow to their top-two hopes.

The good news for supporters is that Frank has confirmed there are no new injuries for tonight's game, though there are no returning players either as they head into the clash with the same squad that drew 0-0 with Millwall on the weekend.

The ongoing absence of Rico Henry and Henrik Dalsgaard is likely to mean Frank sticks with the back-three they've played recently – particularly after defending it in his pre-match interview.

It would be a surprise to see anyone but Ethan Pinnock, Pontus Jansson, and Christian Norgaard make up the defensive line.

Likewise, Vitaly Janelt seems a safe bet to play in holding midfield with Matias Jensen reprising his role slightly ahead of him and both Bryan Mbeumo and Mads Roerslev Rasmussen on the flanks.

However, Frank may look to freshen things up by introducing Saman Ghoddos in place of Tariq Fosu-Henry.

We saw just how dangerous a Ivan Toney and Marcus Forss front two can be in the 5-0 victory against Preston North End, so Brentford will be hoping those two can rediscover some form against the Bluebirds.

A win could be massive, particularly as Watford face champions-in-waiting Norwich City this evening.