It has been a rather peculiar last few weeks at Brentford. Despite the club challenging for a play-off spot after winning promotion last season from League One, news leaked that the board would be looking to replace manager Mark Warburton at the end of the season no matter what. That speculation was confirmed at the end of last month and, whilst he knows he will be leaving the club in the summer, he is still responsible for trying to get Brentford into the top six. They have struggled for the same consistency they had earlier in the season since the turn of the year but two wins in their last three has kept them in the hunt.
Following a very disappointing beginning to the season which eventually resulted in the sacking of Mark Robins, Huddersfield have recovered very well and now occupy a position in the comfort of mid-table. Chris Powell has done a terrific job since taking over in September and he can just about prepare for another season at this level. Their recent form has been decent enough as well but they have suffered a couple of heavy defeats including their most recent game away to Charlton where they went down 3-0. They will be hoping to put that right with on an immediate return trip to the capital.
The Bee’s have made Griffin Park a bit of a fortress since being promoted and have been especially strong against teams below them. All four of their defeats have come against sides above them in the table; Ipswich, Norwich, Middlesborough and Watford. Obviously they would like to be winning these games, but it’s also a sign of their consistency against the other teams. If you omit those losses, they have won 10 of their last 11 home games scoring 27 goals.
Although Powell has overseen a much-needed upturn in fortunes since coming to Huddersfield, their away form is still in need of improvement. They have won just three of their last 15 games away from home in the Championship, however, two of those have come in their last four, against Wigan and Millwall. Only two clubs have conceded more goals away from home in the league than Huddersfield, which highlights a real area of improvement.
The Brentford supporters and players have rallied around their manager following the very harsh treatment he has been subjected to by the club’s owners. Back to back home wins over Bournemouth and Blackpool – scoring seven in the process – are enough indication to show that they’re still genuine contenders for a play-off spot. Huddersfield have managed to pick up some much needed points on the road of later but those wins have come against lesser sides and their defeat to Charlton highlighted their deficiencies on their travels once again. Brentford should have enough here to record another three points at home.
Brentford Evens @ William Hill
