In what some may view as an early season six-pointer, Brentford make the long trip north to face Bolton Wanderers at the Macron Stadium, with both sides yet to pick up their first Championship win of the season.

It has been a terrible start by the visitors, who many had touted as dark horses for a place in the play-off spots.

Of course there is still a long way to go in the season and such an accomplishment can still be achieved, but manager Dean Smith must start picking up points before the pressure really begins to mount.

The hosts have struggled since promotion from League One last year, and find themselves rooted to the bottom of the table.

Phil Parkinson’s men have so far looked lost at this level, and it will take a huge turnaround if the Trotters are to avoid an instant return to the third tier.

Smith will view this fixture as a must win for his side, and having played well this year but lacked the killer instinct to see games out, will hope everything comes together in the north west.

A slight formation change may be needed to grab the points, and this is the team the Bees should send out on Saturday afternoon...

Dan Bentley is the undisputed starter at the club, and three of the back four that started the 1-1 draw with Reading last weekend should get the nod once more.

Rico Henry, John Egan and Josh Clarke should retain their spots, with youngster Clarke set to hold out summer signing Henrik Dalsgaard from the team, who is returning from a short injury lay-off.

Brentford could consider reverting to a 4-1-2-2-1 formation this weekend in order to dominate the middle of the park, with South African midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo sitting in front of the back four, allowing Ryan Woods and Josh McEachran to pull the strings in front of him.

Both players have an excellent eye for a pass, and their creativity could be difficult for Bolton to handle on Saturday.

The impressive Romaine Sawyers could be pushed out wide, allowing him to run at defenders and cut inside, replacing £1 million rated Dutchman Florian Jozefzoon on the flanks.

Ollie Watkins will almost certainly take up the other wide role, with Neal Maupay leading the line in the absence of last year’s top scorer Lasse Vibe.

Brentford have looked a little overrun in the middle at times, and perhaps bringing McEachran in for Jozefzoon will sure up the core of the side.

Each midfield man has the ability to dominate play and control the game, and the likes of McEachran and Woods could prove to be the difference makers in Saturday’s must-win clash.

Bees fans, would a slightly more conservative formation change be the correct option, or should Smith stick with the side that drew with Reading?