Which is better: praying the two rak'ahs before Fajr (Sunnah) at home, or arriving early and sitting in the first row?

Sheikh Al-Uthaymeen favored performing the regular Sunnah prayers at home, even if doing so meant missing the first row [in the congregational prayer], because the injunction regarding the regular Sunnah prayer precedes the injunction regarding the first row. This choice is supported by the differing opinions among jurists regarding the preference for moving to pray the Sunnah prayer before Dhuhr at home or in the mosque. Some of them preferred moving [to pray it at home], while others saw hardship in it. A servant can attain through his intention what he might not attain through his action. So, whoever performs either of the two actions sincerely, Allah will perfect the reward for him.