EFL Championship Team Preview – Brentford
Brentford finished just outside of the top ten last season in 11th place. The Bees have made one or two eye-catching signings over the summer, and they could be set to have a fine season under Thomas Frank. The Londoners will be pushing for a play-off place at the very least, with bet365 offering just 6/4 for them to secure a top six finish. Definitely keep an eye on Frank’s Brentford this season.
Who will win the Championship Title 2019/20?
| Team |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leeds | 9/2 | 7/2 | 9/2 |
| Fulham | 8/1 | 8/1 | 8/1 |
| Cardiff | 10/1 | 10/1 | 10/1 |
| West Brom | 12/1 | 10/1 | 10/1 |
| Middlesbrough | 14/1 | 14/1 | 12/1 |
| Stoke | 12/1 | 12/1 | 12/1 |
| Derby | 16/1 | 14/1 | 14/1 |
| Huddersfield | 20/1 | 14/1 | 16/1 |
| Brentford | 12/1 | 14/1 | 14/1 |
| Sheff Wed | 20/1 | 16/1 | 18/1 |
* (Betting Odds were taken from Bet365, Betvictor & Ladbrokes on July 18th, 2019 at 12:30 p.m.)
Brentford to win the Championship Title 2019/20 at Ladbrokes
Table of Contents
Big season for Frank
Brentford had a very topsy-turvy season in the second tier last term. The Londoners made a solid start to their campaign under Dean Smith, but they went on to win just one of 16 league and cup matches from September to December to put paid to any slim play-off hopes.
Smith left for Aston Villa in October, going on to guide the Villans to the Premier League via the play-off route. Former Denmark youth manager Frank, who was Smith’s number two, took over at Griffin Park.
Frank was thrown in at the deep end, and it took months for him to finally stamp his authority in the Bees dugout. Brentford ended the season on a high, winning each of their last three games. Meanwhile, they lost just one of their last seven.
The London club finished in 11th place in the end, winning 17, drawing 13 and losing 16 of their 46 league fixtures.
Superb at home, woeful away
Brentford were a joy to watch at Griffin Park last season. In fact, only Sheffield United and Norwich City, who were both automatically promoted to the Premier League, picked up more home points (49) in last term’s Championship.
The Bees won 14 of their 23 league encounters on their own patch, scoring an impressive 50 goals along the way. They were tough to beat, as only Bristol City, Middlesbrough, Sheffield Utd, Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion won at Griffin Park in the league. Meanwhile, they picked up four home draws.
It was a different story on the road, though, as Brentford lost 11 times. The Londoners secured only three away victories, beating Rotherham United, Middlesbrough and Bolton Wanderers. Their first away league win of the season came in January at Rotherham’s New York Stadium.
If Brentford can keep up their fine home form and address their troubles on the road, they could have a fine campaign.
- Brentford had the third best home record in last season’s Championship
- They picked up just three away victories last term
- This will be Frank’s first full season in charge
Arrivals & departures
Brentford have been busy in the transfer market, bringing in several players to bolster their squad. Mathias Jensen has arrived from Celta Vigo, David Reya has signed from Blackburn Rovers, and the Bees have brought in Ethan Pinnock from Barnsley.
One of the most eye-catching signings in the Championship this summer has been Brentford’s capture of Pontus Jansson from Leeds United. The Sweden international was a hugely popular figure at Elland Road, but the defender decided to leave Yorkshire to sign on the dotted line at Griffin Park. The Jansson signing was a real signal of intent by Brentford.
A number of players have left west London over the summer, with the likes of Yoann Barbet, Daniel Bentley, Lewis Macleod, Moses Odubajo and Josh McEachran all seeking pastures new.
Will there be any more incomings and outgoings at Griffin Park before the new season gets underway in early August?
Can Brentford keep Maupay at Griffin Park?
Brentford’s main man Neal Maupay has been linked with a move away from the club practically all summer long. The young Frenchman has attracted interest from several Premier League sides, with Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion and Sheffield Utd all said to keen on his signature.
Maupay has been a top performer at this level since arriving from Nice back in 2017. In his first year in England, the striker netted 12 times in the Championship. However, he really come of age last season, helping himself to an impressive 25 league goals.
Whether Maupay stays or goes could have a huge impact on how Brentford’s season will pan out. One thing’s for sure, the board will be doing all in their power to keep him in west London for the foreseeable future.
Will the Bees make the top six?
After a few midtable finishes in the Championship, Brentford will be hoping to kick on this season. The bookies have them as 14/1 dark horses to win the league, but the play-offs at 6/4 seems a far safer bet.
Back in the 2014-15 season, Mark Warburton, who is now in charge of Queens Park Rangers, guided the club to fifth place. The Bees eventually lost out to Middlesbrough in the play-off semi-final, but it was a fine campaign for the club.
Brentford will be aiming for a top six spot at the very least this year. Of course, that will not be an easy task, but they certainly have the ability to put the cat among the pigeons in the promotion mix.
Brentford Tips & Odds
To finish in the top six at 6/4
To be promoted at 7/2
* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on July 18th, 2019 at 12:30 p.m.)
Predicted finish
Brentford kick off their campaign with a game against Birmingham City at Griffin Park on the opening weekend. The Bees will no doubt be targeting three points from that one ahead of their trip to Middlesbrough in week two. Brentford could be set to have a solid season under their Danish boss, so back them to sneak into the play-offs at 6/4. Meanwhile, you can get them at 7/2 to be promoted. I fancy the Bees to be dark horses in the battle for promotion to the Premier League this season.
