Playoffs: A tough call

[General]

We're arguably the form team now given Brentford's two recent losses. I thought with the 5 days between the last two games they'd pick themselves up and dust themselves off, but from what I've read they are looking like a tired team. If they do get to the playoff final then, whilst they've had another 5 day break, they will be on their third game in just over a week.

Form for the last six
1st LEEDS
2nd FULHAM   wwwdwd
3rd STOKE
4th SWANSEA  wwLDww
5th CARDIFF    wLLwww
6th MILLWALL
7th BRENTFORD  wwwwLL

What I have noticed with Brentford, is whilst they are probably the most potent team up front and arguably, in fairness the most deserving (alongside us), their squad is very small and that could take its toll on them and could be a reason for their recent poor form. On top of that, they seem deflated. Automatics were in their hands and they simply had to win either of their last two games and they would've gone up. To have not done that must really knock the wind out of the sails.

For stats regarding brentfords squad in terms of games played see here:
https://www.skysports.com/brentford-squad

They've 14 players they have been inter-playing throughout most of the season.

Their most likely lineup is

Pinnock
Jansson
Dalsgaard
Henry          (one changed in every now and then in Jeanvier (26 apps - a CB))

Norgaard
Jensen
DaSilva       (two changed in every now and then in Mokotjo (15 - DM) and Marcondes (16 - AM))

MBW - play 46, 37 and 39 games this season. (joel Valencia most likely to pick up slack with 18 substitute apps)

Given that they're playing a swansea side fresh off a 4-1 win over reading (albeit reading had someone sent off on 40 minutes), and who've lost one of their last seven (against leeds 1-0), and are in ascendancy it could be a very tight two legs. Brentford's possession stats are good, but their sharpness in front of goal has disappeared somewhat scoring 2 goals in their last 3 games, where prior to that they'd scored 11 goals in their previous 4 games.


Cardiff should be interesting - they've not won against any of the teams in the playoffs this season - see the head to head below (which doesn't show a lot of extra detail but may be of interest). Their fans in some quarters didn't expect them to finish in the top 6, some had them to finish mid-table so the fans are currently happy with their lot and think they've had a good season as it is. 

Brentford - W 5, D 1, L 0, F 13, A 4, Pts 16
Fulham - W 3, D 1, L 2, F 6, A 5, Pts 10
Swansea - W 1, D 1, L 4, F 3, A 9, Pts 4
Cardiff - W 0, D 3, L 3, F 4, A 8, Pts 3

Under Neil Harris both this season and our last in the championship he has yet to beat us, with his record standing at 1 Draw and 3 Losses.

Swansea haven't beaten Brentford this season though, losing both their games 3-0 and 3-1.


6th vs 3rd – Sunday July 26, 6.30pm
5th vs 4th – Monday July 27, 7.45pm
Second legs

3rd vs 6th – Wednesday July 29, 7.45pm
4th vs 5th – Thursday July 30, 7.45pm
Championship play-off final

Tuesday August 4, 7.45pm at Wembley Stadium

Loosely, depending on how well Brentford recover, it could be a Fulham vs Brentford final.

[Whitestone]

I'll call it. We'll beat Brentford 1-0 in the final.

[Dodgin]

Brentford not to make it, we get a penalty in the final against Swansea, Mitro takes it runs up hits the ball, his boot comes off, the keeper save the boot and the ball is in the back of the net.

[fulhamfever]

90th minute winner in the final ricochet off a former Fulham player Wayne Routledge

[fulhamben]

Brentford not to make it, we get a penalty in the final against Swansea, Mitro takes it runs up hits the ball, his boot comes off, the keeper save the boot and the ball is in the back of the net.

i can see more of a mitro and kamara both get sent off after a massive punch up over who gets to take the penalty, with Reid finally taking it and hitting the bar. The ball bounces out to kebano who Smashes it in the top corner from 25 yards Scenario

[We Are Premier League]

FFC to beat Swans in the final.