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Preview: Brentford vs. Bristol City - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Championship clash between Brentford and Bristol City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Brentford play host to Bristol City on Wednesday evening looking to extend their unbeaten record in the Championship to 19 matches.

While the Bees sit two points adrift of the automatic promotion places with a game in hand, the visitors are down in ninth position after defeat at Derby County.


Match preview

Brentford manager Thomas Frank pictured on November 7, 2020© Reuters

Having avoided defeat in the Championship since the middle of October, Thomas Frank will acknowledge that his side will be regarded as favourites for every game that they play in the second tier.

Despite the work required to close down Norwich City and Swansea City, there is also the risk of complacency, something which may have been an issue when hosting bottom-of-the-table Wycombe Wanderers at the weekend.

The Bees eventually prevailed by a 7-2 scoreline, but Frank would have been disappointed that their opponents were twice let back into the game before half time.

The team talk at the break had its desired effect, although it remains to be seen whether it can have a long-term impact on a squad who are having to cope without defender Pontus Jansson.

Winston Reid has been brought in on loan from West Ham United, and the New Zealand international's leadership qualities could be exactly what Brentford need at this stage of the season.

From Bristol City's perspective, they may welcome the opportunity to get another of their toughest away games of the season out of the way.

Dean Holden's side have lost their last three fixtures on the road, a run which has included encounters at leaders Norwich and improving Derby County.

Sitting three points adrift of the playoff places, Holden and his squad must ensure that they do not get dragged closer to the mid-table positions during a packed February schedule.

On the flip side, Holden will see this as an opportunity for his players to express themselves as underdogs, aware that playing with more freedom in the final third may help them cause a shock in West London.

Brentford Championship form: WWWWDW
Brentford form (all competitions): LWWLDW

Bristol City Championship form: WLWLWL
Bristol City form (all competitions): WWLWWL


Team News

West Ham United defender Winston Reid pictured in July 2019© Reuters

Reid is expected to start the game on the Brentford substitutes' bench after not playing a competitive game since December 4.

Vitaly Janelt could return in midfield ahead of Saman Ghoddos, while Bryan Mbeumo may take a place among the replacements.

Henri Lansbury is in contention for a place in the Bristol City squad after signing from Aston Villa on a free transfer.

With Tommy Rowe expected to miss out, Jack Hunt could switch to left-back with Zak Vyner being used on the opposite side of the defence.

Brentford possible starting lineup:
Raya; Dalsgaard, Pinnock, Sorensen, Henry; Dasilva, Janelt, Jensen; Fosu-Henry, Toney, Canos

Bristol City possible starting lineup:
Bentley; Vyner, Mawson, Kalas, Hunt; Semenyo, Bakinson, Nagy, Palmer; Diedhiou, Wells


SM words green background

We say: Brentford 3-1 Bristol City

The opportunity to overtake Swansea may not necessarily benefit Brentford, who have sometimes struggled to turn draws into wins this season. Nevertheless, we cannot back against the Bees, particularly with the visitors struggling for any kind of consistency in the second tier.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


ID:433017:cQx

How you voted: Brentford vs Bristol City

Brentford
79.7%
Draw
9.5%
Bristol City
10.8%
74
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West Ham United defender Winston Reid pictured in July 2019
Read Next:
West Ham defender Winston Reid joins Brentford on loan
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Norwich CityNorwich29177539241558
2Brentford29169455302557
3Swansea CitySwansea27158435152053
4Watford29149637201751
5Reading2914694234848
6Bournemouth291210743281546
7Cardiff CityCardiff29117114033740
8Middlesbrough29117113230240
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn281161142311139
10Stoke CityStoke2991283333039
11Preston North EndPreston29123143437-339
12Barnsley28116113134-339
13Bristol City29123142939-1039
14Millwall2981472827138
15Luton TownLuton28107112329-637
16Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2989122530-533
17Queens Park RangersQPR2789102632-633
18Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2996143342-933
19Derby CountyDerby2887131929-1031
20Coventry CityCoventry29710122740-1331
21Rotherham UnitedRotherham2785143338-529
22Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds2897122130-928
23Birmingham CityBirmingham29610132135-1428
24Wycombe WanderersWycombe2847172149-2819

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