This is the battle of the Championship mid-table sides, and I think it will be as close as their league positions would suggest.
Brentford's away form has been poor but I don't think that makes much difference here. I am more interested in the Bees' run of results generally because they are one of those Championship sides who tend to go on long runs where they are either very good or bad. At the moment, they are pretty good - they have only lost one of their past 12 games in all competitions - so I am backing Brentford to stay unbeaten, and get through on penalties.
The FA Cup has thrown up plenty of surprises this season, that's what happens when Premier League teams play weakened sides. As a result there are plenty of non Premier League teams in the last sixteen. Both Swansea City and Brentford are in the bottom half of the Championship with only three league places separating them. Swansea City are 12th in the table and only seven points adrift of the play-off positions. They have only won one of their last four games but are unbeaten in their last five home games winning three and drawing two. Swansea have beaten Aston Villa and Gillingham to reach this stage of the competition and have only lost one of their last six home FA Cup ties. Brentford are 15th in the Championship and in no-man's land with little chance of promotion or relegation. They are in good form at present with only one loss in their last 12 league and cup games. That followed a poor run of form after the departure of manager Dean Smith to Aston Villa. Midweek saw them get a 1-0 home win over Villa so that will have put them in good heart for this cup tie. To reach the fifth round, Brentford have beaten Oxford Unite and then needed a replay to defeat National League Barnet. Four of their last seven away games have ended level and the tip here is for this match to end in a draw after 90 minutes.
This is the battle of the Championship mid-table sides, and I think it will be as close as their league positions would suggest.
Brentford's away form has been poor but I don't think that makes much difference here. I am more interested in the Bees' run of results generally because they are one of those Championship sides who tend to go on long runs where they are either very good or bad.
At the moment, they are pretty good - they have only lost one of their past 12 games in all competitions - so I am backing Brentford to stay unbeaten, and get through on penalties.
Source: BBC