Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka is expecting a different challenge from Brentford when they travel to visit the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday night.
Boro got the better of Brentford each time in their four meetings in the regular season and the play-offs last season. In the two meetings at the Riverside, Boro eased to victory with 4-0 and 3-0 wins.
Back then Brentford were under the stewardship of Mark Warburton and were flying high in their first season in the Championship.
Now their manager is Dutchman Marinus Dijkhuizen and they are languishing in 18th with just one win from their first five games, though last time out they picked up a credible point at Leeds United in a one-all draw.
Karanka doesn't expect an easy ride
Karanka told the club's official website that he expects a difficult game, and does not believe the Bees' current position in the league is an accurate reflection of the quality in their team.
He continued to mention how last season's play-off semi-final win was a "special win" for the group but he thinks it will be difficult to replicate a similar result this time around.
Despite their average start to the season, Brentford are yet to be beaten on the road this season. In their first away game they secured an impressive 4-2 win at Bristol City which was followed by Saturday's 1-1 draw at Elland Road.
Different Brentford challenge for a different Boro
Middlesbrough too have changed somewhat since last season; three of last campaign's six scorers against Brentford in Lee Tomlin, Patrick Bamford and Jelle Vossen have now left the club.
Boro will be hoping to break into the automatic promotion places this evening after back-to-back wins over Sheffield Wednesday and MK Dons have moved them up to third in the table.
Both Stewart Downing and David Nugent should be more comfortable now after scoring their first goals at the weekend in the win over MK Dons.
