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Cardiff City logo
Championship
Dec 20, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Brentford logo

2-3

Noone (52'), Jones (75')
FT(HT: 0-3)
Pritchard (11'), Gray (22'), Jota (33')

Preview: Cardiff City vs. Brentford

Sports Mole looks ahead to Saturday's Championship clash between Cardiff City and Brentford as two playoff hopefuls face off.

Russell Slade's Jekyll and Hyde Cardiff City side will be looking to close the gap on the playoff places when they host Brentford at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.

The Bluebirds have amassed no fewer than 22 of their 30 league points at home this season, so they will be happy to return to South Wales following an action-packed 5-3 defeat away to Bournemouth last time out.

Cardiff conceded after just 39 seconds in that match against the now-league leaders but showed good character to fight back to 4-3 before Callum Wilson's late strike sealed the points for the Cherries.

They will be hoping for a better start this week, and indeed a better performance than their last outing in front of their own fans. Struggling Rotherham United became the first visiting side to avoid defeat to Slade's Cardiff earlier this month, holding on for a goalless draw.

Even so, only two teams - one of which is Brentford, incidentally - have amassed more points at home this season, so Cardiff will be confident of picking up a third win in five matches.

They have a fine record against Brentford too, losing just one of their last 17 home matches against the Bees and last failing to score in April 1950.

Slade has no injuries or suspensions to worry about this weekend, but Ravel Morrison has returned to West Ham United following an unsuccessful loan spell.

Brentford are one of the sides that Cardiff are looking to catch at the moment having surprised many with how they have adapted to life in the second tier of English football.

The Bees have established themselves as unlikely playoff contenders and currently sit just two points off the top of the table following their 3-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers last time out.

It is now six wins in seven matches for Mark Warburton's side, and the manager would have been delighted with the way his players responded to a surprise defeat at the hands of Huddersfield Town earlier this month.

The form of Andre Gray has certainly helped matters, with the striker having scored six goals in his last seven games after failing to find the back of the net in his previous eight.

He will start up front again this weekend in what could be an unchanged side, with Scott Hogan and Alan McCormack the only injury concerns for Warburton.

Cardiff:

Recent form: LDWWDL

Possible starting lineup: Marshall; Brayford, Turner, Morrison, Connolly; Kim, Gunnarsson, Whittingham, Noone; Le Fondre, Jones

Brentford:

Recent form: WWWWLW

Possible starting lineup: Button; Odubajo, Dean, Craig, Bidwell; Jota, Douglas, Diagouraga, Pritchard, Judge; Gray

Sports Mole says: 1-1


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Mark Warburton Manager Of Brentford during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brentford and Charlton Athletic at Griffin Park on August 9, 2014
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