Brentford have edge over directionless Birmingham

2369

Brentford once again defied the critics last season as they finished in a creditable mid-table position on the Championship ladder in 11th place, and this could be the season where The Bees push on.

Had former manager, Dean Smith, not left the London club back in October (at the start of October Brentford were in the play-off pack), then who knows where Brentford would have actually finished? Smith went onto guide Aston Villa up into the Premier League, but his successor, Thomas Frank has since steadied the ship.

After a shaky start at the helm, Frank got his side going after Christmas with The Bees losing just 1 from the 13 matches played from end of December through to mid-March, and although they tailed off thereafter, they won 4 of their last 6 matches of the season.

Brentford closed out their Championship season with wins over Ipswich Town, Leeds United, Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End, while they lost just 5 of their 23 matches at Griffin Park.

This will be Brentford’s last season at Griffin Park and they’ll no doubt be looking to end this era with a bang. New signing, defender Jansson from Leeds United will bolster Brentford at the back and if the hosts can keep hold of the likes of midfielder Canos and forwards, Maupay, Watkins and Benrahma, they could make a challenge for the play-offs.

Sadly, the same can’t be said for visitors Birmingham City despite finishing last season on a positive note with then manager, Garry Monk, steering his side to safety following an encouraging 7-match unbeaten sequence to avoid any last day relegation worries for a change.

But, as is so often the case at the troubled west midlands club, Birmingham City have once again shot themselves in the foot as further upheaval at the club has seen the departure of the popular manager, Monk, amidst disagreements with the owners who wanted a more attacking style of play.

The transfer embargo that was placed on Birmingham last season after they breached the EFL’s profitability and stability rules, meant that The Blues were unable to strengthen their side at all.

Monk therefore did a fantastic job at getting the most out of a squad he’d inherited from previous managers, and even though Birmingham were handed down a subsequent 9-point deduction from the EFL, the west midlands club still avoided relegation with apparent ease.

It’s been all change at the club though since, and along with the departure of Monk, star striker Che Adams (to Southampton), creative midfielder Jota (to arch-rivals, Aston Villa) and defender Morrison (to Reading) have also left the club.

This leaves Birmingham very thin on the ground in terms of creativity and goal potential, and Brentford with home advantage at their fortress, Griffin Park, should grab the points here.

Home team
Away team

Probability %

1X2

Pred

Correct score

Avg. goals

Weather conditions

Coef.

Score

Live
coef.

CH

Brentford Birmingham City 03/08/2019 16:00

433126

1

3 - 1

2.72

23°

1.91

1.91 3.58 4.15 1 -1 -1

FT

0 - 1(0 - 1)

-

- - -