The 2022 FIFA World Cup drew to an enthralling conclusion last weekend, now the attention returns to domestic football as Brentford host Tottenham Hotspur in a first-ever Boxing Day encounter.
This will be the fifth London derby of the season for each side. Brentford are in search of their first win, and their first goal at home to London opposition; while Spurs will have an eye on winning away in the capital for the first time this campaign.
Thomas Frank's side set a strong foundation at the Gtech Community Stadium before the break, having kept three clean sheets from seven matches, against Manchester United, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Chelsea, and succumbing to one defeat - a 3-0 loss to Arsenal.
Tottenham will want to join their arch rivals in beating the Bees in West London and kickstart their push for Champions League qualification. Spurs have won just one of their four meetings with teams from the capital, but are unbeaten against teams in the bottom half of the table.
Brentford do not boast the best of records against this weekend's opposition. The Bees haven't scored a competitive goal against them since a 3-2 League Cup defeat in September 1998 and have not won in their last 13 meetings dating back to a win at Griffin Park in 1948.
Team news
Brentford
Thomas Frank is blessed with the return of a number of key players after the World Cup break.
Pontus Jansson has been involved throughout the mid-season break and looks set to return to the line-up for the first time since the 0-0 draw with Bournemouth. Aaron Hickey, Shandon Baptiste and Kristoffer Ajer are back in first-team training and could feature on Monday.
Ivan Toney is expected to start despite the now public ongoing FA investigation into him, having been charged with 262 alleged breaches of the FA Rule E8 between 2017 and 2021. He will be available until the investigation has been concluded.
Thomas Strakosha remains sidelined with an ankle problem and is yet to return to training. B team goalkeeper Ben Winterbottom has been with the first team squad and could make the matchday squad for the first time.
All six of Brentford's World Cup participants are available for selection.
Tottenham Hotspur
Antonio Conte will have to contend with a number of notable absentees as his side prepares for the return of domestic football.
Christian Romero is unavailable after helping Argentina to their third World Cup triumph; Hugo Lloris, who was on the losing side in Qatar, will be on the bench as it has been confirmed Fraser Forster will start in goal.
Richarlison is sidelined after injuring his thigh in Brazil's penalty shoot-out defeat to Croatia and is accompanied by Rodrigo Bentancur, who picked up a knock in Uruguay's 2-0 win over Ghana.
Ivan Perisic was back in training on Friday and could feature, while Oliver Skipp and Djed Spence could return to the squad after missing Tottenham's draw to Nice due to illness.
Likely lineups
Brentford
Raya; Ajer, Jansson, Pinnock; Hickey, Janelt, Norgaard, Jensen, Henry; Mbeumo, Toney.
Tottenham Hotspur
Forster; Sanchez, Dier, Lenglet; Emerson, Hojberg, Bissouma, Sessegnon; Kulusevski, Kane, Son.
Key players
Brentford: Ivan Toney
Third in the race for the Golden Boot, albeit eight behind Erling Haaland, Ivan Toney was in brilliant form before the World Cup and will want to continue in such vein on Monday.
With 10 goals in 14 Premier League appearances, in addition to two assists, Toney ended the first half of the season with an incredible individual performance against Manchester City, scoring a brace in a 2-1 win, including a 97th-minute winner.
An ongoing investigation into him off the pitch, the 26-year-old will be aiming to have as much of an impact on it while he can, starting by gifting Brentford fans the belated Christmas present of a rare win over Tottenham.
Tottenham Hotspur: Harry Kane
Harry Kane is a man in search of redemption.
The 29-year-old is renowned as one of the best centre-forwards in Premier League history. However, an uncharacteristic moment against France in the World Cup quarter-finals, in which he blasted the opportunity to level the score from the penalty spot over the bar, has put him in the firing range.
Determined to silence the jeers, Kane will be aiming to add his 12 league goals this season and put in a performance that will begin the process of piecing his reputation back together.
Match details
Where is the game being played?
Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford.
What time is kick-off?
The kick-off is at 12:30 (GMT) on Monday, 26 December.
How can I watch it?
This game is being broadcasted by Amazon Prime.