Brentford vs Middlesbrough
Very interesting match.
The owner of Brentford, is an analytical gambler, he have made over 100 million, let alone from gambling the last 10 years. He invested a lot of this, into football clubs, like Brentford.
During the last 3 years, Brentford have climbed the league system, today, the play one of the legs to qualify to PL.
I have no insight into this club, but I have read about Benham(Brentford owner) many times and how he only acts based on statistic(injuries, form, etc)
They have the biggest database when it comes to player analyze. Football manager(the simulation game) lease information from the company that Benham owns to give accurate rating on players.
Play-off matches to PL is one of the most rewarded matches when it comes to club economics, this is a serious match. Although, usually I dont have interest in Leagues down the hill.
Form Brentford home games: 12-6-5
Form Middlesbrough away games: 10-5-8
Brentford, climbed up last year, so it would be insane if they climbed up to PL this year..
Brentford: 14/46 matches under 2.5 goals = 35%
Middlesbrough : 28/48 matches under 2.5 goals = 61%
Brentford average 2.98 goals per match vs Middlesbrough 2.28 goals per match. Obviously, Brenford score more goals home and Middlesbrough score less goals away, so that evens them out.
First leg matches like this, tend to go very slow, and very carefully from both. Brentford need a good result, but they are not forced to go all in. Middlesbrough will go very easy into this one, slow, carefull and focused. I think both teams are afraid of an early goal, so they will play feel eachother out.
Last year, the first leg matches had a total of 3 goal between 4 teams. The year before that, the same. Only one of the 4 matches went over 2.5, while the other 3 went under 2.5 goals.
If we look at the 2nd leg matches, we see a lot more goals, often 3-4 goals per match.
My tip would be under 2.5 @1.71(im very unsure, I would like a comment from someone that know a little more about the league then me)
Nice facts, I see Brentford manager leaving the club no matter if they get promotion or not so he won't want it as much as Boro manager.
Boro have best defence all season and a full fit team!
Head-to-Head
• Middlesbrough won the earlier meeting at Griffin Park this season 1-0 in January.
• Middlesbrough have won the last five meetings in all competitions, scoring 12 goals and conceding just one. Brentford's last win was 2-1 at Griffin Park in the FA Cup in January 1964.
• Middlesbrough have won the last three meetings at Griffin Park.
Brentford
• Brentford have lost only one of their last nine games. Their only defeat since 14 March was 1-0 at Sheffield Wednesday on 14 April.
• Brentford won 3-0 against Wigan at home last Saturday - their first win in five games at Griffin Park.
Middlesbrough
• Middlesbrough have lost only one of their last five games. Their only defeat since 6 April was 4-3 at Fulham on 25 April.
• Middlesbrough have lost three of their last four away games, winning the other. Their only win on the road since 17 March was 1-0 at Norwich on 17 April.
Final score 0-0 or 0-1
Poll
