Big Saturday Multiple: Brentford eyeing automatic promotion

13Apr 2013

Betfair

Jonno Turner picks three domestic selections to kick start the weekend in style, with sides battling it out for points at both ends of the table...

We're off to London for our first pick of this three team multiple - and a hugely important game at Griffin Park, as Brentford host Portsmouth.

Uwe Rosler's side currently sit third in the League One table, just two points behind second placed Bournemouth - but the Bees have a game in hand on their south coast rivals, and will be desperate to make the most of home advantage here.

The hosts have lost just one game since August 2012 on their own patch - an impressive run which consists a whopping 24 outings.

And four wins on the bounce in front of their own fans will have the West Londoners high in confidence ahead of this clash, as they look to maintain momentum ahead of a potential play-off campaign.

Four clean sheets from six at Griffin Park shows just how dominant Rosler's side have been of late, and I think that their guests will struggle to breach that backline.

Portsmouth travel to London occupying 22nd place in the table, and are two points inside the relegation zone with just three left the play.

The Fratton Park side have experienced a disastrous season on and off the pitch, and the writing seems to be on the wall for Guy Whittingham's charges, who have played more games than their rivals down the bottom.

Pompey have certainly shored up of late - but too often they have lacked the cutting edge to get maximum points on the board, as two wins from half a dozen games shows.

And just one win in 16 on the road since October points to a home win in this clash.

Bet 1: Brentford (HOME) @ 1.57

A relegation six pointer at the bottom of the Championship now, as Wolves welcome Huddersfield Town to Molineux.

Wanderers go into this one sitting 20th in the table - just two places outside of the drop zone - and they will know that this game is a must win if they are to move away from danger.

Two straight wins in front of their own fans will give the home side a boost ahead of this clash, and that makes three unbeaten on their own patch.

Dean Saunders' side will be keen to get a further three points on the board following a loss at Bolton Wanderers last week - especially as a defeat to Huddersfield would see their opponents leapfrog them.

The Terriers occupy 21st place in the division, one behind their hosts, and are just one point ahead of Blackburn - who sit in the final drop zone place, but have played a game less.

That makes every remaining opportunity to secure points massive for Mark Robins' side, and he will be desperate for them to avoid defeat here.

But the West Yorkshire side are inconsistent on the road, and have won just two of their last 12 away from thr Galpharm Stadium, which suggests that they could struggle here.

Bet 2: Wolverhampton Wanderers (HOME) @ 2.05

Focusing on action in South Yorkshire now, and Rotherham United line up against Fleetwood Town, desperate to cement their place in the top six.

The Millers have been inconsistent this campaign, and that has probably been key as to why they don't sit higher up the table - but their form at the New York Stadium of late has been impressive, and they will be hoping that they can maintain that against the Cod Army.

Just one loss from half a dozen in front of their own fans, along with four wins and a draw, will be the type of run which Steve Evans wants to see from his side, and a 4-1 thrashing of fellow play-off hopefuls Exeter on Tuesday will give the home side a big boost.

Fleetwood travel to this game all but out of the promotion picture, sitting in 10th place in the table - and boss Gary Alexander will know that it will take a miracle for the Highbury Stadium side to get anything from this season now.

A 3-0 thrashing from Rochdale suggests that the seaside club have practically given up themselves, and anything other than a win at the New York Stadium will see their season come to an end.

But just one win in six suggests that an away win is an unlikely outcome, and the visitors have not kept a clean sheet on their travels since early March, which shows just how leaky they have been of late.

Bet 3: Rotherham United(HOME) @ 1.83