League One
Saturday 31st December 2011 – Kickoff: 1500hrs
Seventh placed Brentford host play-off incumbents MK Dons at their Griffin Park ground on Saturday afternoon with differing incentives for the win for both sides here.
Brentford could break into the top six of League One should they win, while all three points for MK Dons could see them into an automatic promotion place. Okay, when I saw the prices on MK Dons for this one I was surprised with the generosity shown again when you consider MK Dons’ away record so far this season – but I’ll cover that later on.
Firstly, let’s take a look at Brentford; unbeaten in their last four since their loss at home to Charlton Athletic, including wins over Rochdale and Hartlepool United, and draws against Bury and Bournemouth, but their home form hasn’t exactly set the world on fire; 4-3-5 14/15, as The Bees have been inconsistent in front of their home fans to date.
Home losses to Stevenage, Charlton and Huddersfield Town who all occupy places in the top six suggest that their visitors MK Dons (4th) could well get something from this match.
Attacking trio Clayton Donaldson, Sam Saunders and Gary Alexander (4 goals apiece), are their leading scorers with midfielders Myles Weston and Niall McGinn providing 3 assists each.
Onto MK Dons then and I’ll just provide some facts first of all – aside from league leaders Charlton Athletic they possess the second best away record in League One with 7 wins, behind only Huddersfield and Charlton in terms of away goals scored, whilst conceding just 9 goals in the process.
The Dons’ away record stands at 7-1-3 21/9, and they have won their last four on the road straight with wins at Walsall, Colchester United, Tranmere Rovers and Leyton Orient, scoring 12 goals and conceding just 1. Oh, and by the way, their goal difference is +19 over their opponents today, Brentford.
Former Brentford striker Charlie MacDonald (6 goals, 4 assists) returns to his former employers, and he’s linking up well with fellow striker Dean Bowditch (6 goals, 4 assists) while former QPR forward Angelo Balanta (3 goals) has produced some cameo performances off the bench. Creativity has been supplied by Luke Chadwick and Stephen Gleeson (both with 5 assists) and Jabo Ibehre (6 goals, 4 assists) also.
Quite frankly, I think the odds are wrong here but I’ll take them for sure – MK Dons to win it 2-1 but again take the Draw No Bet option if you want to play safe or consider the straight win for extra value.
Main Pick: MK Dons AH0 @ 1.79 Pinnacle
Value Pick: MK Dons straight win @ 2.50 bet365
