31 July 2020, by Carl Lewis

Championship Playoff Final Betting Preview and Predictions

This is the biggest match of some players career as we look ahead to the ‘most lucrative match in football’ with Brentford and Fulham battling it out for Premier League status in the Championship Playoff final at Wembley.

Brentford’s were on a three-match losing streak before their last home match, but it took Thomas Frank’s men just 46 minutes to turn a 1-0 aggregate deficit against Swansea into a 3-1 lead. Brentford have never played in the Premier League, so the motivation to get over the line will surely not be lacking.

Fulham seemed to be buckling under the pressure when Curtis Nelson halved Cardiff’s 2-0 deficit just eight minutes into Thursday’s second leg clash. However, Scott Parker’s Fulham kept their heads and struck back within 30 seconds to level the score. The Cottagers could be without two of their biggest attacking threats at Wembley in Aleksandar Mitrovic and Neeskens Kebano so this will add more to Brentford being the favourites.

Adding to this, Brentford have an impressive head-to-head record against Fulham, travelling to Wembley unbeaten in five competitive matches against their London rivals. Fulham impressed in the first leg against Cardiff, but Brentford have the star power that should catapult them into the promised land of the Premier League.

Head to Heads

2020 – League: Fulham 0-2 Brentford

2019 – League: Brentford 1-0 Fulham

Key Stats

There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 10 of Fulham’s last 12 away games.

Brentford have won 6 of their last 7 home matches.

Brentford have been winning at both half time and full time in 5 of their last 7 home matches.

Brentford have seen under 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches against Fulham in all competitions.

Fulham are undefeated in 12 of their last 13 away matches.

Brentford are undefeated in 9 of their last 10 matches against Fulham in all competitions.

Team News

Thomas Frank could name an unchanged starting lineup for Brentford’s trip to Wembley after beating Swansea 3-1 in the second leg of their playoff semi-final. Josh Dasilva would have hoped to start in the midfield following an impressive season but is unlikely to replace either of Emi Marcondes or Mathias Jensen after they impressed. The Bees nearly have a clean bill of health for the final with striker Nikos Karelis their only confirmed injury.

Aleksandar Mitrovic missed both legs of the semi-final with a hamstring injury and Scott Parker will be sweating over the striker’s fitness ahead of the final. Parker could also be without influential winger Neeskens Kebano, who was withdrawn at half-time of the second leg against Cardiff with a hamstring injury. Ivan Cavaleiro didn’t appear in either leg of the semi-final but is arguably more likely to replace Kebano than Aboubakar Kamara.

Prediction and Best Bets:

Prediction: Brentford 1-0 Fulham

Suggested Bet: Brentford to win at 2.10

Value Bet: Brentford to win and under 2.5 goals at 4.00

Value Bet: Ollie Watkins to scores first at 4.50