Stoke vs Brentford Prediction & Betting Tips - Championship

Prediction published on 16/07/2020, 05:32  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 17/07/2020 at 16:03 in Championship Predictions

Stoke City have two games remaining to save their Championship status. They drew 1-1 at Bristol City on Wednesday evening but the 17th placed side face a tough task at home to in-form Brentford who are third in the league. Stoke had to come from behind to get that point in midweek and are now five points above the relegation places and with a superior goal difference (albeit a minus one).  With 22nd placed Hull playing Luton who are a place below them at the weekend, Stoke look safe, especially after bottom-of-the-table Barnsley lost at Leeds on Thursday evening. Their 17th is really 16th as Wigan face a 12 point deduction at the end of the season. Following this game against Brentford, Stoke end their season with a trip to fifth-placed Nottingham Forest, so not the easiest of run-ins. It is their home form that has got them out of the bottom three. Four of the last five at home have been won, the other being a 2-0 defeat by Middlesbrough. The goals have been flowing with 13 scored by Stoke in their last five home league fixtures. Clean sheets have been kept in their last two home league fixtures. It’ll be an achievement for them to make it three in a row against Brentford.

Brentford have won ten of their 22 away league games this season. Eight have been lost though and that figure could well cost them automatic promotion. However, following the 2-1 loss suffered by second-place West Brom, Brentford now know just what they have to do to make it into the Premier League. It's in their hands now, beat Stoke and then win their final home game against bottom-of-the-table Barnsley and they will be promoted. Four points from their final two games should be enough actually. Brentford are a point behind West Brom with this game in hand and have a goal difference of 44, 12 better than West Brom's. The Londoners have won the last three with victories at Fulham, Reading and Derby County. Eight goals have been scored in those games with just one conceded. Wednesday was a big night for them with a home win over Preston North End. That was their eighth win in a row in the Championship and they can make it nine with a win at Stoke, though a draw wouldn't be a disaster for Brentford.