Brentford take on Wigan in a Championship clash at Griffin Park today.
Brentford manager Dean Smith celebrates after John Egan scores his sides first goal
The Bees have been in sublime form at home, scoring goals for fun as well as keeping a water tight defence. In five games at Griffin Park this season, Brentford’s only dropped points have come against Sheffield Wednesday where they conceded a 93rd minute equaliser. Today they take on Wigan and although the fixture doesn’t look too difficult on paper, it is a important game to keep up their momentum.
Here are three important factors for Brentford to take note of:
Keeping their minds on the job at hand
To some observers this clash looks like a complete mismatch. Wigan are yet to pick up a point on the road this season, while Brentford have the equal second best home record in the league. However there is no easy game in the Championship, and there have been countless examples over the years of the underdog causing a big upset.
Brentford are in a confident frame of mind but should not be complacent. They are likely to be one of the teams jostling for a top six position at season’s end, but don’t want to be in the position of missing out on the playoffs by a point or two and looking back to the dropped points fixtures like this.
Wigan’s Will Grigg
Stopping Will Grigg
Will Grigg has carried the hopes of Wigan on his shoulders this season as he is currently the only player in their squad to have scored more than one goal in the league. The Northern Ireland international has been pivotal in the two wins the Latics have achieved this season, including scoring the winner against Wolves on Tuesday night. Grigg is one Wigan player who has taken his good form on the road scoring three times. Stopping the supply to the striker will go a long way to claiming victory on Saturday.
Brentford’s Lewis Macleod in action with Preston North End’s Alex Baptiste
Utilising Lewis MacLeod
The former Rangers player has had a extremely frustrating time of things since coming to Brentford at the start of 2015. A series of injuries had seen his impact to be nothing more than a cameo appearance against Brighton in February. It would have warmed the heart of Brentford officials and fans to see the 22 year-old get a proper run of games this season and he hasn’t let anyone down with his performances.
While Scott Hogan taken most of the headlines with his goalscoring this season (equal league leader with seven), MacLeod has been just as important. He currently sits equal top of the Championship assist table with four, and his impact has been critical to Brentford’s impressive start to the season. The attacking midfielder will be looking to supply the Bees’ strike-force with more silver service today.
If they are able to tick these three boxes, expect Brentford fans to go home very happy after another home win.
Prediction: Brentford 2-Wigan 0
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