Brentford host Everton on Saturday afternoon with both teams targeting European football next season.
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes ahead of their meeting at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Brentford and Everton are currently locked on 46 points in the Premier League table – currently three points off the Champions League place of fifth – with the Bees a place ahead on goal difference in seventh.
Brentford were convincing winners when they travelled to Merseyside in January, running out 4-2 victors to end a six-game winless run against the Toffees in the Premier League.
Keith Andrews side have lost just once in their eight most recent league outings although they've only won one of the past six.
Draws have instead been the order of the day, with Brentford facing the prospect of four in a row for the first time as a Premier League side.
A goal from striker Igor Thiago may be needed if Brentford are to get back to winning ways. He needs just one more to tie the club Premier League record of 20 in a single season, currently held by Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbuemo.
Thiago scored a hat-trick against Everton earlier this season and the superlative form of such a standout striker may be the cause of some envy in the visitor's dugout.
Everton are enjoying a resurgent season of their own as they also target European qualification, although the Toffees have done so largely without the services of a top-level striker.
Thierno Barry has improved over the course of the campaign while Beto's performance in scoring two goals in the win against Chelsea last time out was hailed as his best showing in an Everton shirt by manager David Moyes, but Everton's two centre forwards have still only totalled 12 league goals between them in comparison to Thiago's 19.
Everton have still found a way to shrug off recent relegation battles and financial difficulties to pursue Moyes' goal of a European place – only Arsenal and Manchester United have amassed more points than Everton's 21 since matchday 19.
The 2-0 defeat at Arsenal on 14 March was a first away from home for the Toffees in 2026 but their form on the road has generally been excellent.
They have picked up 41 points in away games since Moyes returned to the club in January 2025, second only to the Gunners, winning four of the past six.
If Everton are to avenge their comprehensive loss to Brentford three months ago, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford could once again be key.
Pickford made one of the saves of the season to earn Everton their most recent away victory at Newcastle in February and, based on expected goals on target, the 32-year-old has prevented 24 since the start of 2022-23 – nine more than any other Premier League keeper.
