Brentford play host to Cardiff at Griffin Park on Boxing Day as two teams, both of whom suffered defeat last time out, will be looking to build momentum in the Championship’s early kick-off ahead of a busy few weeks.
Of the two sides it is undoubtedly Brentford who will be happier with their current standing. The hosts sit in 14th position and come into this fixture knowing that home soil is where they’ve been most effective. Cardiff, on the other hand, find themselves down in 20th position, and, although they are five points above the drop-zone, they will definitely be hoping for an upturn in fortunes or it won’t be long before they considered as serious participants in the battle for survival. With this in mind, the visitors haven’t fared too well on the road this season and could struggle once again.
At odds of 5/4, backing the hosts to pick up a festive three points is the way to go. As mentioned above, despite three recent losses (all of which came against the divisions better teams), Dean Smith’s men have performed pretty well at home, winning five times. On top of this, the hosts boast a sound goal difference of +7 at Griffin Park, conceding just nine in ten (four clean sheets).
A real positive ahead of this one is the West London sides’ home record against teams who reside below them in the division. In four matches against opposition of a lower standing, Brentford have recorded four victories, scoring ten goals, conceding just one. Figures that bode well ahead of this one against 20th place Cardiff.
Playing on the road has brought little joy to Neil Warnock’s men this season. Cardiff have won just two matches on their travels, and although the Yorkshireman has only been at the helm since October, he’s failed to improve such travelling woes, overseeing just one away win in five. Overall the visitors have lost five times when playing away from the comforts of home, conceding no less than 18 goals in the process.
Against comparable opposition The Bees have acquitted themselves well and will surely feel confident of keeping out a Cardiff side who’re averaging, away from home, just 3.9 shots on target. If Brentford can continue their impressive defensive record against sides from the lower-half of the table then there’s absolutely no reason why they can’t take all three points here and they’re fancied to do just that.
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