With the arrival of May, comes the departure of the current Football League season.

Apart from those teams involved in the play-offs, this weekend will be the last time fans can catch their sides in competitive action before August.

Of course, competitive is a relative word given Huddersfield Town, and their opponents this weekend Brentford, are mathematically excluded from promotion and relegation, and only pride remains at stake.

However, there is the small matter of eroding last weekend's dismal defeat to Bristol City from the immediate memory, while Town will also want revenge for their last encounter with Dean Smith's side - a 4-2 loss at Griffin Park last December.

That Christmas cracker had Brentford fans dreaming of a play-off berth, but a disappointing January bled into February and March, with the Bees winning just twice in 14 attempts following the New Year bells.

A place in mid-table was the result, although the team from the capital have now stabilised, posting an impressive six wins of their last eight matches in an attempt to close the season on a high and build for next term.

However, they've had to do that without star man Alan Judge, who broke his leg in early April ending his season and, in all likelihood, his chances of appearing at Euro 2016.

Top of the club's goals and assists charts, Judge has been one of the division's standout performers and losing him was a body blow.

Alan Judge (Goal) at Brentford FC v Derby FC, Brentford Football Club, Brentford on 20-02-2016 - Credit - Lewis Darling

Lasse Vibe has been in good form but missed last weekend's clash through injury, while skipper Jake Bidwell is also missing.

However, Scott Hogan has returned to lead the line after a long lay off, and he now has the best minutes-per-goal ratio of any Championship player to have scored at least five goals this season (21 minutes).

That last stat sums up the difference between the teams - separated by 11 points and nine places in the Championship. Goal conversion.

It's not often that Town match their opponents defensively but are weaker in the scoring stakes, yet that is the story here.

Brentford have conceded 66 goals to Town's 65 while they have kept eight clean sheets (compared with nine for Town).

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But the Bees have outscored David Wagner's men 67 to 58 in the league, and have been more clinical in front of goal, converting 14.5% of their chances (compared with Town's 13.4%).

And the 4-2 result in the capital just before Christmas summed that up perfectly.

But if Town fans want cause for optimism, they only have to look at the recent home record in this fixture.

Huddersfield are unbeaten in four home league games against Brentford, winning two, and the Bees’ last win at the John Smith’s Stadium was in February 2007, a 2-0 win courtesy of goals from Charlie Ide and Jo Kuffour.

In terms of style, Wagner and Smith have a lot in common, and are likely to find plenty to discuss over a post-match beverage.

Dean Smith
Dean Smith

Brentford dominate the ball, recording 54% possession on average, and favour short passing with the aim of keeping it for ever-longer periods.

They've seen lots of success on the counterattack - although statistically they've been weak in defending that same tactic in other opponents.

Where they do have the clear edge is in set pieces - including penalties, 1 in 4 of Brentford's league strikes have come through a a dead ball situation.

And Town fans will be all too aware of how those have hurt their team in recent weeks.

However, the team in blue and white stripes will be desperate to avoid another defeat on the back of the Bristol City flop, and with an approaching lap of appreciation have some added motivation in front of the home faithful.

And in Nahki Wells, they have their own potent threat.

Wagner will be hoping his team will be the ones to make the most of their assets come the season's final day.