Brentford 9/4 to beat Stoke in Saturdays Championship showdown

Competition: Championship

Market: Brentford win

Odds: 9/4 @ Bet 365

Two sides who endured very different starts to the new Championship campaign, Gary Rowett’s Stoke team know they must improve rapidly if they want to live up to their billing as pre-season favorites.

Starting with Rowett’s Stoke side, although they have brought in the likes of Benik Afobe, Thomas Ince and James McClean this summer, The Potters have been drastically short of form and their billing as the early contenders could be misplaced. Coming off the back of a 3-1 loss to Leeds in their opening matchup, Stoke were outclassed for large spells of the game and only managed to land one shot on target from open play. With that 3-1 loss last weekend, the hosts have now lost five of their last six and more worryingly for Rowett, his side have only scored once from open play since being relegated.

As for Dean Smith’s Brentford side, after a summer of ins and outs at Griffin Park, many have The Bees tipped as a playoff contender. In a pre-season tour that only saw them lose to Premier League side Watford 2-1, Smith’s side won their three other friendly outings and have continued their fine form into the new season. Coming off the back of a 5-1 win against newly promoted Rotherham, with five separate players finding the net, we’re backing Brentford to continue their good form on Saturday afternoon.

Bet: Brentford to beat Stoke in Saturdays Championship showdown 9/4 @ Bet 365