Things are beginning to look up for Leeds United as they prepare to welcome Brentford to Elland Road in the Championship this weekend.
The Whites began January having picked up just one point from the 15 available in December, with the prospect of relegation looming increasingly large.
Continuing turmoil behind the scenes threatened to exacerbate the situation, but Neil Redfearn's side have responded well and go into their opening match of February having avoided defeat in their four league outings last month.
That was enough for Redfearn to be nominated for the Manager of the Month award, but he will know that the hard work is far from over with just five points separating his side from the bottom three.
The highlight of their recent resurgence came last weekend as Billy Sharp scored a 90th-minute winner to seal a 2-1 victory against Huddersfield Town, ensuring that Leeds did the double over their Yorkshire rivals.
Victory over league leaders Bournemouth in their last home match was another hugely encouraging result for Leeds, and they are now looking for three consecutive league wins for the first time since November 2013.
Redfearn was also boosted by Rodolph Austin remaining at the club on transfer deadline day despite being heavily linked with a move elsewhere, and the midfielder should retain his starting spot this weekend.
There could also be a home debut for Sol Bamba at the back, but Giuseppe Bellusci remains suspended so will not feature.
While Leeds are looking to maintain their winning streak, Brentford are bidding to return to victorious ways having narrowly missed out to fellow promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough at Griffin Park last Saturday.
The defeat ended a run of three straight wins in the league, but the Bees remain well-placed in fifth, with four points separating them from seventh-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Incidentally, Wolves are the only team who have avoided defeat against Brentford in their last four outings on the road, and Mark Warburton will be hoping to steer his side to an eighth league away victory of the season this weekend.
However, their record at Elland Road over the years leaves plenty to be desired, with no victories and four defeats in their last eight trips to face Leeds.
The Bees had not beaten Leeds since 1953 before this season, but are now looking to do the double over them having won the reverse fixture 2-0 in September.
Warburton will once again be without Scott Hogan and Alan McCormack for this match, but new signing Jack O'Connell could feature at some point.
Leeds:
Form in Championship: LLDDWW
Form in all competitions: LLDDWW
Possible starting lineup: Silvestri; Byram, Cooper, Bamba, Taylor; Cook, Mowatt, Austin, Murphy; Morison, Antenucci
Brentford:
Form in Championship: LLWWWL
Form in all competitions: LLWWWL
Possible starting lineup: Button; Odubajo, Tarkowski, Dean, Bidwell; Diagouraga, Douglas, Jota, Pritchard, Dallas; Gray
Sports Mole says: 2-3
No Data Analysis info
