English League One
2011-11-19 - Brentford vs Charlton Athletic
A Sports Betting Pick by ArmchairPunter
Football – England – League One
Saturday 19th November 2011 – Kickoff: 1500hrs
Ninth placed Brentford entertain league leaders Charlton Athletic at their Griffin Park ground on Saturday afternoon looking to build on their previous home win over lowly Chesterfield 2-1 a couple of weeks ago.
Brentford
However, that Brentford win against Chesterfield was their first home win in six matches and no disrespect to Chesterfield but Charlton are a long way ahead in terms of squad strength and depth – aside from being 27 points ahead of them as well!
Brentford’s home record therefore is not great 3-2-4 11/12, and the previous wins were against Yeovil Town and Leyton Orient; again, two sides who have struggled away from home with just two wins on the road between them. Yeovil in fact now occupy bottom place in the division and are still looking for their first away win.
This therefore puts The Bees’ record into perspective, with their away form (4-3-1 9/6) the reason for their current league position. Striker Clayton Donaldson (4 goals) and midfielder Sam Saunders 3 goals, 5 assists) are the dangermen, along with midfielders Niall McGinn (2 goals, 3 assists) and Myles Weston (1 goal, 3 assists).
You may recall I tipped Brentford to be involved in a high scoring match against Basingstoke in the FA Cup last weekend, but they managed just one goal against their spirited opposition. I fear their lack of firepower will be their undoing against a strong Charlton outfit this Saturday.
charlton Athletic
Dare we say it? Charlton for promotion? After blowing it on a number of occasions and flattering to deceive, the Addicks finally look as though they’re emerging as serious automatic promotion candidates.
With just one loss so far this season (0-1 at Stevenage in mid-October), Charlton are now seven points clear of third placed Sheffield Wednesday and as they say, “it’s in their own hands now” to gain promotion.
Maybe a little too early to presume promotion given the Christmas and New Year schedule ahead, but Charlton’s away form to date has been impressive to say the least; 7-1-1 18/7, as they look for a third successive away win following victories at Wycombe Wanderers and Hartlepool United.
Other notable wins on the road include 2-1 at Notts County and a 2-0 win at Sheffield United – both sides currently in the top six. Include a 1-1 draw at fourth placed MK Dons and you can see why they are leaders at the moment.
Goals have been their weapon so far as they lead the division overall with 39 goals (21 at home and 18 away), striker Bradley Wright-Phillips (11 goals, 6 assists) continuing his goalscoring form he showed last season with Plymouth Argyle (13 goals in 17 matches), with good support from ex-Tottenham midfielder Johnnie Jackson (7 goals, 5 assists), Danny Hollands (5 goals, 2 assists) and forward Paul Hayes (3 goals, 5 assists).
Manager and former player Chris Powell rotated his squad in Charlton’s 4-0 win at FC Halifax in the cup last weekend so I expect he’ll revert to his strongest squad for the trip to Brentford with Wright-Phillips reinstated in attack.
The Betting Verdict :
I’ll take Charlton with the handicap for insurance, but also consider a straight away win as they possess far more attacking threat than their hosts. A 2-0 win for Charlton as a scoreline.
The Pick :
Brentford 0-2 Charlton
BEST BETTING TIP :
Value Pick :Consider betting on Charlton to win @ 2.33 at Pinnacle
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Main Pick :
Take Charlton AH+0 at 1.60ish - giving stake back protection if the game finishes level.
Take Charlton AH+0 at 1.60ish - giving stake back protection if the game finishes level.
